A West Lothian drop-in centre is on a huge volunteer drive as they look to expand across the area.

The Boghall Drop-in Centre in Bathgate are keen to highlight the opportunities available in their community wing for people across West Lothian looking to volunteer or use their services.

Kelly Drummond, who started as a volunteer when the drop-in centre first opened in 2004, and now works as the charity co-ordinator, said: “What we’re realising is that a lot of what we offer here isn’t available in other areas of West Lothian.

“We want people in other areas to know that the volunteering opportunities here, and the services we offer, are for everyone.

“We have a great organisation and we want people from across West Lothian to be a part of it.

“The only qualification people need is to be kind and non-judgemental.”

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The drop-in centre currently has around 30 active volunteers ranging from the age of 12 to secondary school-age, with adults volunteering for specific events.

Boghall Drop-in Centre's opportunities and services are open to all in West Lothian

Kelly added: “We’re really looking for more elderly people to get involved, because they have skills that younger people may not have.

“We’re aiming for an inter-generational situation here, where we can have the kids helping the older volunteers and the older volunteers helping the kids.

“We’re looking to learn from the people that work with us - that’s how we can gain an insight into what is truly needed.

“This helps us identify gaps in provisions and then we can work together to find a solution.”

Around 85 per cent of the groups they currently put on are free to use.

A spokesperson from the Boghall Drop-in Centre’s board of directors said: “For anybody that’s looking to learn a new skill, that’s looking to help with something grassroots, and is looking to make great friends, this is the place to volunteer.”

Some of the groups currently running at the drop-in centre include an afterschool club, a homework club, a press gang for children designing a community newsletter, the Sunshine Club which runs through the holidays, cooking classes for youngsters, and an under-three child and parent group.

The drop-in centre achieved the Volunteer Friendly Award in 2015 and was re-accredited in 2018 - a quality standard which recognises groups that are good at involving volunteers.

To find out about volunteering opportunities, visit: https://boghalldropincentre.com/volunteer.