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OUR STORIES
From Community Fridge to New Beginnings
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David Park
From Community Fridge to New Beginnings
David started attending the Craigshill Community fridge a little over two years ago. He was in a low place at that time, things had got on top of him a little, he is a single man, unemployed and was trying to manage his finances.
“The rising price of food, utility bills and general cost of living increases meant I couldn’t make ends meet.”
I went along to the Community fridge, initially a bit embarrassed about my situation, but the people were really helpful and friendly, I paid £ 3 at the time, it’s £4 now, but for that I was able to get cheese, meat, bread, milk, tinned items and fresh fruit and veg, it was great.”
The Community Fridge has been supported by the Youth Action Project for a number of years. After COVID it had been hoped that the need for the organisation to provide food for the Craigshill community and others referred to us due to economic hardship would end. Sadly, we have experienced an increasing demand.
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David found the facility to be welcoming, and the staff were helpful and friendly. There is no stigma as people can feel embarrassed to admit they are struggling. It is a safe space, and he found it was actually a place for people to socialise and meet new people.
He reflected “Craigshill has a good community spirit, and this is evident at the Community Fridge, you can get a cup of tea and a laugh, it brightens your day. On a more serious note, knowing that you can get good quality food produce for only £4, reduces people’s worries and stress levels which improves their mental health.
Through attending the Community Fridge, David found out about the Craigshill Community Garden, run by West Lothian Youth Action Project (YAP), and developed as part of the Growing Together Project in Partnership with Almond Housing Association and Spark. He realised that some of the fresh vegetables appearing at the Community Fridge were freshly picked from the garden, his natural curiosity and encouragement from staff led to David volunteering in the garden.
“I have learned so much in the garden, I love the place, I have built my own herb garden, attended a pruning class with the Woodland Trust, been on birdwatching walks, assisted staff with a workshop at Spark, built planters and very recently helped redevelop the planters in Victoria Street, which was a real community project. I was also lucky enough to help teach a group of school kids from Beattlie School in the garden, they said it made their day, they were so excited, I’ll always remember that session”.
David stated, “I try to be healthy these days, it’s great to get some fresh fruit and veg from the garden and I’ve tried all sorts of things, I even tried rhubarb in my curry, it was great, added sweetness”. I use oils a lot and natural products to improve my health, as at 45 years old, I’m not getting any younger and need to look after myself better.
One of the things exciting me now is my passion for working with wood, I have been collecting logs from fallen trees and working to produce bespoke signs for people and now wooden furniture, stools and tables. I am now self-employed with a new business called “Food for Wood”, and also planning to develop a woodwork project with the Growing Together and Youth Action Projects, all really exciting, I’ve never felt so good. I feel really positive for the first time in many years, thanks to all the connections I have made through the community garden I have been able to start my own business. My life has improved so much by having these opportunities, all starting by going along to the Craigshill Community Fridge.”
David has become one of the team of trusted volunteers, without which the Growing Together project and Community Garden would struggle to survive.
Andrew Wright
Yap Music
Recently I've been very fortunate, and I feel as though I'm entering a new chapter in my life. After a long uphill battle with my mental health, I feel quite secure in myself for the first time in about five years, and I'm ready to begin sharing my experiences and using them to (hopefully) help others. It's become increasingly clear to me the importance of that, and though I hold no reluctant sense of obligation, I feel a purposeful sense of duty to others and I'm excited to see where this new chapter takes me.
It's due to recent changes such as this I feel equipped now to really immerse myself in work such as volunteering for great causes like YAP. I always felt I had a home there, even during some of my darker days, and I cannot express enough my gratitude towards all the amazing people at YAP, who work so tirelessly and selflessly to inspire young people.
Band-wise, I couldn't be happier, and I'm feeling more inspired and creative than ever. It is indeed a shame the toll current events are taking on artists and musicians; so it would be very easy for me to feel guilty about this lock-down period bringing out the best in me - as it turns out, I just needed a break; as I tend to feel under pressure to be productive and creative all the time. However, as indicated, I feel I'm in a position now where I can look outwards and support other people who are struggling. Regrettably, my own issues caused me to lose sight of these things and become disconnected from the very people I needed to feel alive.
I'm looking forward to all of this subsiding in the hopefully-near future,
and hope things will return brighter than ever for all of us.
My son has a duel diagnosis and I'm a lone parent with a long term health condition. We haven't been here long and don't really have a big network of friends or family close.
Lockdown has been hard but not from the classical sense. My son is very black and white and has decided outside isn't safe. He has used this to justify his wish to stay in his room or not leave the house. For him lockdown means he is living his best life with low demands and without the expectations and conformity or school or clubs. During this time it's fine but at some point restrictions will be lifted and he will need to go outside daily and of course go back to school. If we can't maintain some ‘leaving the house’ time I'm not sure how we will achieve that.
This had been a huge concern for me and an ongoing source of conflict at home.
Helen and Alex stepped in with some 1-2-1 cycling which is something I can't do with my son because of my health. He was resistant at first but Alex was amazing with him. He now goes willingly and looks forward to it. He is even starting to walk the dog with me.
I have a much more balanced child and I feel like we both made a friend.
Alex has also Introduced my son to the idea of some of the other services provided by the organisation and he is very excited about the cyber cafe re-opening. This is huge for him. He can walk there or even cycle and be independent doing something he will love and make friends in a safe environment.
Nile
Cahal Menzies
Yap Music
The most important thing YAP gave me was a sense of place and also the confidence to express myself. I would never perform in front of others but now you'd be lucky to keep me quiet. I learned more than any music degree could teach me about playing with others. Even small tricks that help you 'hone your abilities' go a long way. Not every young person needs to know how to tune a guitar but they do deserve an environment where they can develop themselves socially.
Pamela,
INtegr8 Befriending
My transition from Covey Befriending to INtegr8 at Youth Action Project was smooth and effortless and I credit this purely to the open conversations between myself and my Co-ordinator, the convenient way meetings were made around my schedule taking into account my home life, and the reassurance given that I was in fact wanted by Youth Action Project. Throughout the whole process I felt in control and listened to which gave me confidence that any young person I was paired with would be given the same courtesy. I feel a real part of the INtegr8 team and after two successful matches; I am reassured in my own abilities and Youth Action Project’s standards and commitment to young people.
Dean
Polbeth
Tooled Up
Hi, my name is Dean and I have been working with Tooled Up for nearly a year now. I first became involved after working with the LITE project.
I have had the opportunity to try lots of different kinds of practical work. Building railway sleeper planters for the Quentin court garden project. Basic maintenance of the project vehicles (oil changes, coolant and tyre pressures). Building a BBQ and refurbishing furniture for the Addiewell community garden project, after assisting with clear up and tidying of the garden.
I was also selected to represent the project at an event for our funders, Ethicon in the Community.
I really enjoy my time at Tooled Up and feel that I am now much more prepared for work, after also attending some adult basic education courses.
I would like to thank West Lothian Youth Action Project and especially Barry and Joe for putting up with me and teaching me skills I will take into my working life.
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Kamern
Stoneyburn
Wee Croft
Being involved with the Youth Action Project has turned out rather well for me, I've been given a lot of opportunities that I just wouldn't have gotten otherwise. What really kicked it all off for me was presenting the wee crofts news at the A.G.M back in November, although it was nerve racking speaking in front of all those people, the praise I received from people I spoke to afterwards more than made up for it! In the wee croft itself I am chairman of our committee, during my time doing this we have organised and held our Christmas party. After receiving a generous donation of party food from Tesco all went well and everyone had a good time at our last party in our current building.
With the building of our new home due to get underway soon we look forward to moving in and after all the hard work that went into securing it I'm sure we'll all appreciate it that bit more! Another one of the opportunities the YAP has given me has been to become a member of West Lothian's Youth Congress and I've been given the honour of representing the project there. And even if I don't become prime minister, being involved in committees and decision making is always a great thing to have on your CV! The project is in the process of creating it's own committee for young people, and with the first meeting on the 16th of january I look forward to meeting other people involved with the project there. Overall, being involved with the Youth Action Project has been great for me, and I really hope it continues long into the future.