Stories are important

We all have a story – it’s what shapes and defines us. The Bridge is no different.

The story began when a group of local people wanted to make a difference to the everyday wellbeing of people across West Lothian. As they reflected on their own life struggles, and listened to the voices of family, friends, neighbours and colleagues, certain key themes emerged. The foundations of financial and emotional well-being were laid.

It has long been accepted that when crisis moments arrive in life for people in the West Lothian area that many are forced to access help through services elsewhere or to seek it in the private (fee-paying sector). The Bridge seeks to bring these key services and the hope they provide closer to home.

In our story, however, we seek to be different – not so much in what we do, but in how we go about providing our services. Building on the principles of compassion, grace and love we seek to share the journey with our clients in order to see lasting hope and change.

our core values are clear

  • to be relational (ensuring our focus is always people not programmes or agendas)

  • to be inclusive (treating everyone equally with respect and dignity)

  • to aim for excellence (working to the highest possible standards in how we conduct relationships and how we use resources)

  • to be accessible (striving to ensure that everyone can access our services in ways that work best for them)

  • to work in partnership (working with others wherever possible)

meet our team

Maria Lavery
Maria LaveryInterim CEO
Alan Davidson
Alan DavidsonBusiness Development Manager (co-founder)

financial wellbeing team

Anna Kesik
Anna KesikMoney Advice Lead
Tricia Fraser
Tricia FraserBridge Support Lead
Alister Charnley
Alister CharnleySupport Adviser
Ian Nicol
Ian NicolMoney Adviser
Gillian Roy
Gillian RoyVolunteer Money Adviser
Alistair Brown
Alistair BrownVolunteer Money Adviser
Ian Angus-Felton
Ian Angus-FeltonVolunteer Money Adviser
Laura Scott
Laura ScottVolunteer Support Adviser
Tracey Bunting
Tracey BuntingFinancial Wellbeing Admin Support
Donna Cuthbert
Donna CuthbertFinancial Wellbeing Administrator

emotional wellbeing team

Fiona MacLellan
Fiona MacLellanCounselling Support Lead
Sarah Finegan
Sarah FineganStepping Stones to Wellbeing Mental Health Lead
Janet Stewart
Janet StewartStepping Stones to Wellbeing Mental Health Worker
Lynne Gillies
Lynne GilliesWellbeing Admin Lead
Victoria Christie
Victoria ChristieCounselling Wellbeing Administrator

west lothian wellbeing

Jane Cooper
Jane CooperMental Health Coordinator

support team

James Anderson
James AndersonIT Support Consultant

our trustees

Ken Brown
Ken BrownTrustee - Chairperson
Johnnie Burgoyne
Johnnie BurgoyneTreasurer
Ellie Abraham
Ellie AbrahamTrustee - Secretary
Alistair Shaw
Alistair ShawTrustee
Kirsten Pringle
Kirsten PringleTrustee
Ronnie Dick
Ronnie DickTrustee

With thanks to the following funder's for supporting our work.

       

Bank of Scotland Foundation schuh The Weir Charitable Trust Arnold Clark

People's Postcode Trust Swinton Paterson Trust National Lottery Community Fund Impact Funding Partners Itison us The Edward Gostling Foundation

Hugh Fraser Foundation, PF Charitable Trust, Nancie Massey Charitable Trust, JTH Charitable Trust and M&G Community Fund