West Lothian Courier

Drop in for cancer advice and support Active Schools plan boosts sports figures

Kids love keeping fit

- Courier reporter Sean O’Neil

Macmillan drop- in service provides a safe and welcoming space for cancer patients and their families to talk about how they are feeling and any worries they might have.

Macmillan @ West Lothian can help them find the right services in the area.

These include access to benefits advice, free counsellin­g, links to other relevant local organisati­ons and practical issues including travel.

Visit Macmillan dropin services at Bathgate Partnershi­p Centre on Monday from 10am to 1pm and Thursday from 1pm to 3pm; Blackburn Partnershi­p C e nt r e on Mo n d a y from 1.30pm to 3.30pm; Strathbroc­k Partnershi­p Centre on Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm and Friday 10am to 12.30pm; Carmondean Connected on Wednesday from 11am to 1pm and Thursday 10am to 12pm; Fauldhouse Partnershi­p Centre on Tuesday from 10am to 12pm.

There is no need to make an appointmen­t just drop in. This is a free service for anyone affected by cancer, their family or carers. For more call 01506 283053.

Thousands of West Lothian children and young people took part in a sports and physical activities sessions over the last year – an increase of 19 per cent from the previous year.

Sportscotl­and’s Active Schools programme saw over 18,000 youngsters take part in certain opportunit­ies, with 9847 children and young people regularly participat­ing in the 196,794 sessions run by West Lothian Council.

The Active Schools network is run in partnershi­p between sportscotl­and and local council with children from primary, secondary and ASN schools all taking part.

Executive Councillor for Culture and Leisure, Dave King, commented:“We are delighted with the number of pupils now taking part in extracurri­cular activity sessions in West Lothian. Over 37 per cent of our entire school roll regularly attend sport and physical activity sessions before, during or after school supported and delivered through Active Schools.

“However, I am particular­ly pleased to see that 30% of all our pupils with additional support needs are also taking part in extracurri­cular sport and activity sessions and I would like to thank all the volunteers, coaches and teaching staff across our schools for providing opportunit­ies for West Lothian pupils.”

Me l You n g , c ha i r o f sportscotl­and, added: “It’s really encouragin­g to see the continued growth in participat­ion in Active Schools activities across the country.

“The success of Active Schools is the result of strong local partnershi­ps between Active Schools teams, school staff, sports developmen­t teams in local authoritie­s, regional managers from the governing bodies, and local sports clubs.”

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