Bell Group: Supporting West Lothian Communities
ESES Communities has developed a strong and long standing partnership with Bell Group, an organisation that places social value at the heart of its work. Keen to maximise the community benefit of their contract with West Lothian Council, Bell Group approached the ESES Communities team to explore how they could support local organisations making a difference across the region.
Working closely with Bell Group's Lead Community Engagement Coordinator, ESES Communities identified several community organisations that would benefit from practical support, donations, and surplus materials. The result was a series of meaningful contributions that helped strengthen the work of local charities and community groups across West Lothian.
Supporting The School Bank West Lothian
The School Bank West Lothian, based in Livingston, is a charity dedicated to supporting children and families experiencing financial hardship by providing new school uniforms, clothing, and essential equipment.
With an estimated one in four children in West Lothian living in poverty, demand for the charity's services continues to grow. Bell Group wanted to make a tangible difference and donated £200 towards the charity's work.
Rather than making a cash donation alone, Bell Group worked directly with the organisation to identify the items most urgently needed. Their contribution funded the purchase of essential school clothing, including socks, tights, and joggers, helping ensure children could start the new school year feeling confident, comfortable, and ready to learn.
As part of the partnership, Angela Cree, Bell Group's Lead Community Engagement Coordinator, visited the organisation to meet the team and gain a first hand understanding of the impact of corporate support on local families.
Impact
The School Bank West Lothian shared: "These everyday essentials may seem small, but they make a huge difference in helping children across West Lothian start the school term with confidence and dignity.
Corporate partnerships play a vital role in helping us meet growing demand. Donations from businesses don't just provide items; they help remove barriers to education, ease pressure on families, and ensure children can feel included and ready to learn."
Freshening Up River Kids' Community Hub
River Kids is a West Lothian charity committed to ensuring that no child goes without. Through a wide range of programmes, they provide support including clothing, food provision, beds, extracurricular opportunities, school camp places, and a year round toy appeal.
Operating from a former Scotmid building, which is provided rent free, the organisation continually looks for ways to improve its well used premises. Recognising this need, the ESES Communities team introduced River Kids to Bell Group.
Bell Group responded by donating paint to refresh the space, making a practical contribution that will create a brighter, more welcoming environment for the staff, volunteers, and referral partners who use the facility every day.
Impact
The donation has enabled River Kids to continue improving its community hub, helping ensure the space remains welcoming, functional, and fit for the important services delivered there throughout the year.
Rehoming Resources with Kigami Projects
When Bell Group identified a surplus of masonry paint, they were keen to ensure it was put to good use in the community rather than go to waste.
The ESES Communities team connected Bell Group with Kigami Projects, an organisation committed to promoting environmental sustainability through education, creativity, innovation, and practical community action.
Kigami Projects works to empower individuals and communities to reduce waste, reuse resources, improve local environments, and create cleaner, greener neighbourhoods. The donated paint will be used across a range of community environmental improvement projects and public space enhancements.
Impact
By diverting surplus paint into community use, Bell Group has not only supported local environmental initiatives but also contributed to a more sustainable approach to resource management.
Kigami Projects welcomed the donation, highlighting how valuable it will be in supporting local environmental projects and improving shared community spaces.
Bringing Communities Together
Through financial donations, practical support, and the redistribution of surplus materials, Bell Group has demonstrated its commitment to creating positive change across West Lothian. By working in partnership with ESES Communities, they have supported organisations tackling child poverty, improving community facilities, and delivering environmental improvements.
This breadth of support highlights the important role businesses can play in strengthening local communities and ensuring resources reach the organisations that need them most.