Poverty action initiatives praised as West Lothian village begins to 'grow again'

A West Lothian village has secured funding for a dedicated community worker to help drive local rejuvenation and anti-poverty projects.

Linlithgow’s Community Development Trust (CDT) will fund a part-time community worker based at the community centre to help villagers in Bridgend with projects, including a tool library.

It is one of several rejuvenation schemes under way to rebuild the once-thriving village east of Linlithgow.

Local councillor Pauline Orr praised the villagers for the work they have done to improve lives in the area, and thanked the council’s Anti-Poverty Service manager, Nahid Hanif, and her staff for their efforts in the ward.

She told a meeting of the Linlithgow Local Area Committee: “There’s a lot of great work going on in Bridgend and I’d like to thank everyone who plays a part to make that happen. It’s just been fantastic to see how the community has begun to grow again over the last two or three years.”

A report to the committee said: “Linlithgow CDT has secured funding for and recruited, via the Rural Community Local Led Development fund, a 16-hour-per-week project worker for Bridgend.

“Their role will include extending the offer of the tool library, developing a collection and delivery service for the repair shop, and running monthly workshops around climate action themes such as insulation, energy saving, and clothing repair.

“The project worker will follow up on the consultation door-knocking exercise that took place in April, and they will be working with partners to set up a volunteer group in the village to try and build local capacity.

“The CDT now offers long-term loans of bikes and e-bikes for people to build cycling into their lifestyles. The hope is to encourage take-up in Bridgend.”

Bridgend is an area of deprivation in West Lothian targeted by the council’s community wealth building team to help support villagers.

A weekly food hub has been revived, and groups such as Youthspace have organised a summer of events for youngsters.

The Cyrenians OPAL (Older People Active Lives) Project also works with people aged 60 and above, promoting fulfilling lives and enriching communities to empower older people to remain independent and socially connected.

The project has secured funding to deliver a Tea in the Park event, which will be held at Bridgend Golf Club on 22 September 2026. The event aims to bring older people together with music, dancing, and afternoon tea.

A report to the committee by Brian Manderson from the Anti-Poverty Service highlighted the work done in the Linlithgow ward over the year.

In total, 4% of the council’s Advice Shop customers in West Lothian came from the Linlithgow ward area.

Successful outcomes secured for these customers include total financial gains of £1,346,435 by maximising income from social security benefits, and energy efficiency savings of £19,507 through access to financial support and advice.

The Advice Shop also offered support to deal with £315,459 of problem debt, resulting in a reduction in debt repayments of £141,367.

In the ward, it issued 75 emergency food vouchers and 55 fuel vouchers for households at risk of disconnection.

Chairing the meeting, Councillor Sally Pattle said: “A huge thank you for everything that you are doing, and the way you report it to us. It is really transparent the difference you are making to people’s lives.”

Councillor Orr added: “I have spoken to Nahid a number of times about trying to get attendance into Bridgend to allow the community easy access to support. Even something like transport can be an issue when you are struggling for money.

"I am just so pleased that she has been able to secure the income to make it possible to do that. I really hope the venture is successful in guiding people out of poverty and hardship.”