Community Support
We know that building strong communities is important when providing a home. We are proud of the well-established community relationships and joint working partnerships that we have.
We are committed to using our skills and community investment activities to contribute to social progress and create opportunities that can help empower and improve the lives of local people, helping to build community capacity.
Our Projects
We take part in developing projects and working with local groups to enhance the communities. Find out more about our current projects below.
On Wednesday 17th September, we celebrated Scottish Housing Day by launching our BeeKind campaign. The theme for Scottish Housing Day was ‘everybody needs good neighbours’, so we felt this was the perfect opportunity to launch a celebration of kindness, connection and community spirit.
Community Engagement Officer, Jane commented:
“The BeeKind yearlong project aims to inspire and recognise kind acts for others, the community, nature and yourself! It is about fostering positive social connections, promoting kindness, and supporting local initiatives that benefit the environment and individuals. The world feels that bit tougher at the moment, and a little kindness can make all the difference.”
Find out more about the BeeKind project, including a calendar of themes and events.
Founded in 2019, the Growing Together initiative was established as a direct result of community engagement and consultation. Craigshill residents are the driving force behind the creation of the project, voicing a need for community-based activities, workshops and events to help and support local people. Almond HA secured funding from the Scottish Government's Investing in Communities Fund and has worked to distribute the funding directly into the community via local partners.
A small snippet of the acheivements recently include:
- A series of biodiversity workshops which have been delivered to every P5, P6 & p7 child from two local primary schools. Run from two of the community garden spaces, the sessions gave 134 children the opportunity to learn about their local environment
- The 'gardener led' program of activity across the community gardens has supported volunteers with guided learning on topics such as food growing, harvesting and preparing fruit & vegetables, bird box making and open fire cooking sessions
- A large joint event was co-ordinated with the Woodland Trust to tackle fire damage and antisocial behaviour in the local east wood. The event, 'Love your Craigswood' was an opportunity to deliver a fun and eduational day for the community in partnership with the West Lothian Fire Service, West Lothian Litter Pickers, and West Lothian Youth Action Project, amongst others. It was a chance to tell people about the woods and the social opportunities they provide, but also how best to use the space in a considerate and protective way
More information on the success of the project and plans for the future can be found on the Growing Together Facebook page.
Community Groups
There are many community groups in the areas where we work and across West Lothian. These groups can support our tenants with a range of services. Find out more.
Community Spotlight
This month, our community spotlight will focus on Bridge Community Project.
Bridge Community Project is a local charity, supporting people over the age of 18 who live in the West Lothian area. It supports individuals experiencing poverty, trauma, poor mental health, bereavement and social isolation through a practical, person-centred approach.
Through the Wellbeing Hub, they provide services that build long-term resilience and stability. They also offer a free financial wellbeing service, a counselling service, and a stepping stones service which offers a safe, welcoming environment for people to connect and grow.
Amanda from The Bridge commented, "I'm passionate about Bridge Community Project because of the genuine impact it has on people's lives. We meet people where they are, often at some of the most difficult points in their lives and walk alongside them without judgement,"
Taking that first step can make a real difference. Find out more about the project and how to self-refer on their website https://bridgecommunityproject.org.uk.