Livingston charity Carers of West Lothian have been short-listed to become one of the latest recipients of funding from Scotmid Co-operative’s popular Community Connect initiative – potentially being awarded £15,000 in order to help strengthen the service the charity provides in West Lothian.
Community Connect was launched in 2017 and enables Scotmid members to award good cause groups in their local area with funding of up to £15,000, generated via the sale of single use carrier bags.
In Scotmid’s East Member Region – encompassing Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians – Carers of West Lothian are one of three good cause groups, who have been short-listed by a Scotmid member selection panel to receive a financial award. Scotmid members will decide on how the pot of £25,000 is awarded. The group with the most votes will receive £15,000 and the two runners-up will each receive £5,000. Scotmid members can cast their votes in store from the 8th – 22nd September or attend the OGM which will be held at the Murrayfield Stadium on Monday 30th September.
The other short-listed Good Cause Groups are Edinburgh-based charities, Richmond’s Hope and SANDS Lothians.
Carers of West Lothian supports unpaid adult carers, young carers and people affected by a disability living in West Lothian by providing help, training and advice. The Young Carers Service supports young people aged between eight and 18, these young people look after a parent, sibling or close relative with a disability, long term or life limiting illness, a drug or alcohol dependency or a mental health condition.
The charity aims to use Community Connect award to fund young carers transitioning into adulthood; getting them into further education, training or employment with increased confidence and self-esteem.
John Brodie, Chief Executive of Scotmid, said: “We are passionate about supporting local causes which are close to the hearts and minds of our members, customers and staff and are thrilled to have such worthy causes nominated to receive our latest round of Community Connect funding. We know how much those who work for these charities go above and beyond every single day for the benefit of their service users and local communities and this should be celebrated.
“We wish Carers of West Lothian the very best of luck and hope that the West Lothian community can get behind them and cast their votes so that the funds can go some way towards helping them bring worthwhile projects to life.”
Scotmid members are encouraged to support the charity by swiping their Community Connect card after every in-store purchase and then cast their votes for their preferred good cause group either in-store or at Scotmid’s East Region Annual General Meeting.
Alison Wright from Carers of West Lothian said: “Our work relies upon donations and in-kind support, so to receive funding from Scotmid’s Community Connect initiative would make a big difference and allow us to provide additional support to our young carers. We’d love it if those throughout community could lend their support to our cause and cast their vote for us in their local Scotmid store!”
Image (left to right): Senior Development Officer Wilma Murray, Tegan Brewster (Young Carer) and Tyler Cameron (Young Carer)