Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, highlights local services which may be of use to local residents of West Lothian over the festive period and winter.
There are services available to help local residents with energy costs, benefits, housing, debt, immigration and utility issues.
Fiona commented:
‘This has been an exceptionally difficult year for many as we continue to face the Cost of Living Crisis.
‘It is important to highlight to the residents of West Lothian where they can seek advice and guidance. We have some great services in West Lothian including the Advice Shop, West Lothian Citizens Advice Bureau, as well as services such as the Food Bank, Food Train, and the School Bank.
‘There are also national organisations which can be of help such as NHS Inform, the National Covid-19 helpline, Home Energy Scotland and Samaritans.
‘I would encourage anyone who is struggling over this festive period to use the services that are available to them’.
ENDS
Emergency Services and support
- Police: emergency – 999, non-emergency – 101
- Ambulance: 999
- Fire: 999
- Child Line: 0800 11 11
- Women’s Aid: Support for women and children facing domestic abuse, https://www.womensaid.org.uk/
NHS
- NHS 24 – 111
- NHS Lothian: Main Switchboard: 0131 242 1000
- St. John’s, Livingston Switchboard: 01506 523000
Loneliness and Isolation
- Age Scotland helpline: 0800 12 44 222
- Health in Mind, West Lothian: 0131 225 8505 or email: westlothian@health-in-mind.org.uk
- Befriending Service Cyrenians OP: Phone number: 01506 815815, Email address: opal@cyrenians.scot
- Red Cross support line: Call our free confidential support line on 0808 196 3651.
- Red Cross Connecting with You service in Scotland: Call 0300 30 36 077 (between 10am – 4pm, Monday to Friday) to get support to help rebuild your confidence, feel better connected and more involved in your community.
Mental Health Support
- Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87
- Samaritans Edinburgh and Lothian: 0330 094 5717 – local call charges apply
- Samaritans Free Listening Service: Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours
- SHOUT Crisis Text Line: Text “SHOUT” to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line https://giveusashout.org/
- Red Cross – 0808 196 3651 ( https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/support-line#christmastimes)
- All West Lothian Mental Health Services contact details can be found here: https://westlothianhscp.org.uk/article/28195/Local-Mental-Health-Services
- Smile Counselling for those aged 11-24: 01506-239-290
- Victim support Scotland: free support helpline: 0800 160 1985 (8am-8pm, Mon-Fri). Webchat service: ( https://victimsupport.scot/contact/#:~:text=If%20you%20are%20looking%20for,Self%2Dreferral%20form) (8am-8pm, Mon-Fri, 9am – 1pm Sat)
- Women’s Aid: 0800 027 1234
- West Lothian Drug and Alcohol Service: 01506 430225, or email enquiries@wldas.org
Flooding
- Advice from the Association of British Insurers on how to prepare for a flood: Preparing for a flood ABI
- Should a flood occur, the ABI have a guide on what to do: abi-responding-to-floods-guide-for-scotland.pdf
- Scottish Water: Out of Hours Customer Helpline, 0800 0778 778
West Lothian
- Food bank: 01501 229307
- The Advice Shop – 01506 283000
- Citizen’s Advice Bureau West Lothian – 01506 432977 (enquiries@cabwestlothian.casonline.org.uk)
West Lothian Council
- Main Contact telephone number: 01506 28000
- The Out of Hours Number is also 01506 28000
- Option 1 for Finance (Scottish Welfare Fund, Payments, Council Tax, Benefits)
- Option 2 for Tenancy Related Enquiries (Repairs and Gas Services, Homelessness)
- Option 3 for External Environment (Waster Management, Bulky Uplifts, Roads, Street Lighting, Public Transport and any other enquiries relating to the external environment)
- Option 4 – All other Enquiries
Utilities
- SSE: 0345 026 2658
- Scottish Power: 0800 027 0072
- British Gas Emergency: 0800 111 999
- Power Cut: 105
- Scottish Water: 0800 0778 778
- Home Energy Scotland: 0808 808 2282