The council distributes a number of grants to support local organisations who carry out important work in our communities, such as gala days, youth work, museums, twinning and events for older people.

In 2024/25, the amount available from the Voluntary Organisations budget was £944,000 for the Voluntary Organisations Funding, £40,000 for Gala Grants, £29,000 for the Pensioners Groups Christmas fund.

The Lintel Trust also provided a further £20,000 for West Lothian voluntary organisations.

A council spokesperson said: “Voluntary and community organisations play a hugely important role in our local communities.

“The funding provided by the council helps support a huge range of activities and events around West Lothian.

“These events and activities are highly valued by many local residents, and support from the council ensures they can continue.”

A total of 28 gala events across West Lothian shared £40,000 of funding for 2024/25, with grants ranging from £700 to £2,800.

These are: Armadale Children’s Gala; Bathgate Procession; Blackburn Children’s Gala Blackridge, Westrigg and Westcraigs Gala; Broxburn Gala; Linlithgow Marches; Deans Gala; East Calder and District Gala; Ecclesmachan and Threemiletown Gala; Fauldhouse Children’s Gala; Harburn Village Hall Festival; Harthill, Eastfield and Greenrigg Children’s Gala; Kirknewton Gala; Knightsridge Gala; Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge Gala; Livingston Village Gala; Loganlea and District Gala; Mid Calder Children’s Gala; Parkhead Childrens Gala; Polbeth Childrens Gala; Seafield and District Children’s Gala; Craigshill’s SPARK; Stoneyburn and Bents Children’s Gala; Torphichen Children’s Gala; Uphall Children’s Gala; Uphall Station Childrens Gala; Whitburn Gala; and Winchburgh and District Children’s Gala.

Nearly 4,700 West Lothian pensioners in 69 different groups received a Christmas meal after funding of £29,000 was also distributed from the Pensioners Groups Christmas Fund in December.

The Voluntary Organisations Funding is made up of: £569,467 of service level agreements; £382,613 for the Third Sector Community Support Fund, which includes the £20,000 from the Lintel Trust; and £11,920 in twinning grants.

Organisations to benefit from the Voluntary Organisations Fund via service level agreements include: West Lothian Youth Action Project (£47,500) for youth services; HcL Transport (£182,119) for community transport; Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian (£63,770) to support the third sector across West Lothian; Citizen’s Advice Bureau (£76,266) for advice services related to the council’s Anti-Poverty Strategy; and Linlithgow Heritage Trust (£51,142) and Bennie Museum (£6,170) for museum services. A tendering process is currently underway for youth services valued at £142,500.

A total of 16 voluntary organisations will receive funding ranging between £10,000 to £40,000 from the Third Sector Community Support Fund during 2024/25.

They are: Ladywell Neighbourhood Network; Stoneyburn and Bents Future Vision Group; West Lothian African Women’s Network; The Food Train; Kidz-Eco; Craigsfarm Community Development Project; Play Works (Dale Hub, Armadale); The Boghall Drop in Centre; Community Action Blackburn; Linlithgow Young People’s Project - Bridgend; Firefly Arts Ltd; Knightsridge Adventure Project; Daisy Drop In; Whitburn & District Community Development Trust; Polbeth Community Hub; and the Brock Garden Centre.

Five twinning associations shared the £11,920 in twinning grants, with the West Lothian-wide associations linked with Hochsauerland in Germany and Grapevine in the USA both receiving £3,710 and town/village twinning associations including Linlithgow / Guyancourt, France, Bathgate / Cran Grevrier, and Pumpherston / Mtarfa awarded £1,500 each.