It is one of a range of community based services which Almond Housing has developed from its headquarters in Etive Walk in one of the new town’s first neighbourhoods.
HomeAid, the Bathgate based charity which provides essential furniture at low cost, will open a new store in Craigshill early in the New Year.
It is one of a range of community based services which Almond Housing has developed from its headquarters in Etive Walk in one of the new town’s first neighbourhoods.
Jane Deary, the association’s Community Engagement Officer told councillors: “It’s great to be able to provide an opportunity to purchase low cost items in our area.”
Jane, and Housing Manager Jonathon Bertram, were delivering an update on the Housing Association’s activities to a meeting of the East Livingston and East Calder Local Area Committee.
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She told the meeting: “We are about to welcome HomeAid to open a new retail space for furniture, clothes and bric-a-brac. There used to be a well used charity shop in Craigshill, and it is missed.
The new shop will be in the ground floor of the association’s offices; the vacant space provides considerable room to sell furniture, white goods, clothes and bric-a-brac.
Jane added: “We are delighted to be welcoming them because not only is it a service for our community but we are able to work in partnership with them to support our tenants, particularly those who are moving into accommodation who may not have very much in the way of furniture or clothing. We are able to have that really strengthened partnership that we have with them already.”
HomeAid was started in Bathgate more than 25 years ago and now has two stores in the town and one in Broxburn.
It provides essential furniture and white goods for people who have been homeless and are taking up tenancies.
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Included are families, single parents and individuals all in the low-income category who, with the assistance of HomeAid, are looking to make the transition from homelessness to a home-making situation.
On its website the charity says: “In addition to providing furniture and white goods, we look to benefit the environment through the recycling and redistribution of second hand furniture and household items back to the West Lothian community.
“We are a charity who are dedicated to helping those who need us most; vulnerable people and those who deserve a cosy place to call home.
“Our focus is on helping those who face social and economic exclusion through the use of support grants and by providing much-needed furniture and home items.”
Jane told councillors that the new store would be promoted through social media and through the association’s own media.
“I’m sure as soon as it opens word will get out. It is going to be key to let people know it’s there. There are partners who support the most vulnerable people in our community and they will make them aware that the service is now available in the heart of Craigshill. We are looking forward to welcoming people in our building to take advantage of the service that Home Aid provides.”
After the meeting a spokesperson for Almond Housing added: “We are delighted to welcome HomeAid West Lothian into our building. Their work providing affordable furniture to families and individuals in need makes a real and tangible difference to people’s lives across West Lothian.
“At Almond Housing Association, we are committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen our communities, and this partnership reflects our shared values of compassion, dignity, and practical support for those who need it most.”
Almond already offers community space in its offices in a large public space dubbed the Big Living Room. An ESOL course is attended by 40 people. West Lothian Foodbank uses it as a distribution point and Carers of West Lothian also now provide a drop-in advice service once a month for local people with caring responsibilities.
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