So as we come to the end of another year, the staff and committee of the centre would like to wish all our users new and old a very happy Christmas and peaceful new year.

We have had perhaps our busiest year ever which included a large number of free places on Summer and October sport camps, cooking demonstrations, toy giveaways, breakfast with Santa, online safety awareness.  Not to mention the current internal and external fabric works to the building that will significantly improve the appearance of the Centre.  And we have continued to run our usual projects including Citizens advice, Food Co-op, Job hub and Recycling.  Oh and also our usual user groups and partners within the Centre have all been busy as well.

And while we give ourselves a rather large pat on the back, next year is looking to be even busier with new classes already lined up and the finalisation of the fabric works.

The Centre will close today (24^th) and re-open to the public on Monday 14^th January.  This extra time is to allow for internal works to take place.

See you all next year!

The Resource Centre will close on Monday 24th December (time to be confirmed). We will re-open to the public on Monday 14th January. This is to allow some extra time for internal works to the Centre.
There will be NO user groups in until the 14th January. The cafe, Utd Sports, REACH and Out of School Care will be open prior to this with alternative access being arranged using exterior doors. Any further information required contact the Centre!

Whitlawburn Community Resource Centre with West Whitlawburn Housing Co-operative has recently become a member of Happy to Translate (HTT). The initiative has been around since 2006 and was originally funded by the Scottish Government to provide support for organisations to ensure their services are available to those who speak little or no English. Since then, HTT continues to grow its membership and the unique logo is widely recognised by those requiring language assistance.

As a member of HTT, Whitlawburn Community Resource Centre displays the logo and is provided with tools which staff are trained to use to help identify a service user’s language. This ensures that we are able to provide the same level of service to all our tenants and clients and make effective and efficient use of language service provision through professional language companies. Language service provision can be over the telephone, face-to-face or British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting or written translation.

HTT currently has nearly one hundred members from across Scotland and a small number in England. In addition to Whitlawburn Community Resource Centre, members include Housing Associations, contractors, regulatory bodies like the Care Inspectorate, Scottish Housing Regulator and OSCR and local authorities like City of Edinburgh Council and also the Scottish Parliament.

Membership of HTT brings benefits to the organisation, our customers and staff. It is in line with our equality and diversity policy and ensures the organisation complies with legislation by providing equal access to our information and services. Displaying the HTT logo means that those with little or no English will have the confidence to approach us and enquire about our services, knowing that their language needs will be met. HTT provides us with various tools to help establish a service user’s language and engage in basic communication. Staff trained in HTT procedures will have the skills to assist service users from different cultures, which increases confidence and improves customer service.

If you have any questions about how the organisation uses HTT please contact Stephanie McPeake at the Centre.