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 Covid.
Fiona commented:
‘This has been an exceptionally difficult year for many – the dual impact of Covid and Brexit has left many people in West Lothian worse off.
‘With rising living costs and an on-going pandemic, I wanted to highlight to 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 off 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’.
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/
Covid
- NHS Lothian COVID-19 Vaccine Helpline – 0300 790 6296
- The national COVID-19 helpline – 0800 111 4000
- Business Support: 0300 303 0660
- Scottish Government Christmas and Festive Period Guidance: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-festive-period/
- NHS Inform helpline which is dedicated to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic: 0800 22 44 88
NHS
- NHS 24 – 111
- NHS 24 help for patients who do not have COVID-19 symptoms: 08000282816
- NHS Lothian: Main Switchboard: 0131 242 1000
- St. John’s, Livingston Switchboard: 01506 523000
Loneliness and Isolation
- Age Scotland helping: 0800 12 44 222
- Health in Mind Befriending Service West Lothian: 01506 637572 or email: westlothian@health-in-mind.org.uk
Mental Health
- 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/
- YoungMinds Textline: If you are a young person struggling to cope, text YM to 85258 for free, 24/7 support
- Red Cross – 0808 196 3651 (Every day: 10am – 6pm)
- 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 11-25: 01506-239-290
- Victim Support Scotland Free Helpline: 0800 160 1985 (8am – 8pm Mon-Fri)
- 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
- Food Train: 01506 413013
- The School Bank: admin@schoolbank-westlothian.org
- 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, Roads, Street Lighting, Public Transport)
- Option 4 – All other Enquiries
Utilities
- SSE: 0345 026 2658
- Scottish Power: 0800 027 0072
- British Gas Emergency: 0800 111 999
- British Gas Electrical Emergencies: 105
- Scottish Water: 0800 0778 778
- Home Energy Scotland: 0808 808 2282