Good Neighbour group faces funding crisis
A community group which expanded to help residents across West Lothian get through the Covid pandemic is facing a funding crisis as it prepares to mark its 40th birthday
The Craigshill Good Neighbour Network stepped in to serve local people during lockdown, and reaching all areas of one of Scotland’s most deprived locations took new thinking and solutions.
The support then extended wider into West Lothian as requests for help flooded in.
While it receives funding from West Lothian Council it needs to secure more from other sources to enable it to continue its work.
Now the network – which started as a lunch club – has decided on a relaunch as it wins a national award for promoting diversity.
To attract vital support it will relaunch on September 30 as SPARK with TV personality and charity campaigner Edinburgh’s Gail Porter joining volunteers for the event.
The new name highlights the charity’s ability to spark connections and the potential in those who get involved with its services, CEO Jane Deary told a recent meeting of the East Calder and East Livingston local area committee.
As the first organisation nationally to be awarded Diversity Scotland’s Charter Mark, it is now well on the way to helping more members of the community benefit from its services as it recovers from the challenges of the pandemic.
Jane said: “SPARK is a place of possibilities, where people thrive. Friends are made, support networks established and the opportunity to learn new skills and share experiences are offered.
“We acknowledge that the past 18 months have been hard for everyone, but we also know that the difficulties don’t vanish with
the relaxation of restrictions.
“Our work is vital for the future of our community, and we must have support in order to continue to transform lives.
“We are looking for volunteers to take on the KiltWalk and other such challenges for example that often are match funded by local employers.”
Despite the challenge of the
pandemic, the network adapted to maintain vital contact with its 200-plus members and the wider community by developing an outreach service providing practical help, social and volunteering opportunities.
Volunteers delivered 200 activity packs and 200 goodie bags across West Lothian.
Other items included toiletries,
pet food, clothes, toys, bikes, and household items such as beds, microwaves, washing machines, TVs and stair gates, while local children received 250 hand knitted ‘Buddy Bears’.
Volunteers also helped deliver more than 3000 meals and more than 6000 food parcels and helped people stay connected by conducting daily telephone calls, posting weekly postcards and letters and sending handmade friendship bracelets.
Recipients have included referrals from Age Scotland, Wellbeing Scotland, and the West Lothian Council Advice Shop.
The Network’s Facebook page, followed by 1250, provided advice, information, quizzes, singers and a virtual theatre show to keep the community entertained and connected. Weekly Zoom calls were also established.
From the Facebook page, the Network found many older people were being asked to care for grandchildren not at school during lockdown while their parents were working. Some were struggling with this, especially financially,
so volunteers supported them by providing toys, stair gates and food.
The Network also encountered increased anxiety identified among members, with more than half of those in regular contact reporting low mood.
To address this it introduced an ‘Empowerment Group’, an online mental health support group managed by Susan Watson, an Anxiety UK therapist who provided daily advice to around 150 aimed at how to manage and develop a healthier lifestyle.
Following donations of wi-fi enabled IT devices, the network enabled more than 100 people to get online and take part in the activities streamed via Zoom.
Testimonies from those helped by volunteers reveal the strength and depth of the commitment and ties to the community.
One said: “The job you are doing behind the scenes is outstanding! Food deliveries, little letters, gifts, phone calls and visits making sure everyone is ok.
“You know, you are the only ones who have bothered with me, thank you very much.”