Cash boost for elderly support work

A £46,000 cash boost has been awarded to projects for older people in West Lothian.

The Fuel Poverty Energy Advice Project, which provides older people with advice on heating, insulation and achieving the best energy tariffs, has been awarded £43,099.

A further £2,919 has been awarded to Acredale Older People’s Day Centre to run a Saturday Break Project for a year.

It will allow the centre to open every second Saturday, affording voluntary carers the opportunity to have a day off from their responsibilities.

Set up by West Lothian Community Health and Care Partnership – formed by NHS Lothian and West Lothian Council – the Challenge Fund provides finance to support the new initiatives or ideas that will improve the wellbeing of vulnerable adults in the county.

Danny Logue, social policy spokesman for West Lothian Council, said: “The Challenge Fund is designed to support projects and initiatives which directly benefit and enhance the quality of life for older people.

“The Fuel Poverty Energy Advisor will specifically work to help this group to reduce their fuel costs and improve energy use.”