Information About The Local Area

We have used this classification to provide links to a wealth of useful information about Murieston.

Where to Stay

There is one hotel in the village. The Bankton Hotel is a short walk from Livingston South Railway Station. Read review >>

Where to Eat

In the Bankton Centre there is currently one sit in restaurant, Ristorante La Campana
This restaurant also has a very popular takeaway service and offers delivery to the local area. Read review >>

Place of Worship

The Murieston Village Hall provides a place of worship in Murieston from 9.30 to 11.30 am on Sundays. Find out more >>

Murieston Community Council

There are seventeen Murieston Community Councillors. Meetings are held monthly and all residents have the opportunity to attend any of these meetings.

Website: www.muriestoncommmunity.com

Meetings are held in the Staff Room at Williamston Primary School, Bankton Lane, Murieston, Livingston EH54 9DQ, normally on the third Thursday of each month (except July and August), starting at 7pm.

More General Information in West Lothian

ADULT BASIC EDUCATION:
A range of groups and courses are available free to any adult who wants to improve their reading, writing, spelling, maths and communication skills. Tuition is provided throughout West Lothian.
For more information contact:
Bathgate Partnership Centre, Lindsay House, South Bridge Street, Bathgate, EH48 1TS.
Tel: 01506 282936

BARNARDO’S HAZEL GROVE:
Family Assessment Service is a Barnardo’s project funded in association with West Lothian Council, which provides a service for families with children aged 11 years and under. Family Assessment Service support families which can include individual assessment, therapeutic work with children, family assessment/family work, advice on parenting, groups for children and parents and family group conferences.
For more information contact:
Barnardo’s Hazel Grove, 6-8 Hazel Grove, Livingston, EH54 5JW.
Tel: 01506 438666
www.barnardos.org.uk/hazelgrove.htm

BREAST FEEDING STRATEGY GROUP:
This is an ongoing group to promote breast feeding of infants through promotion by an interagency committee. It covers the whole of West Lothian and is managed by West Lothian Healthcare NHS Trust.
For more information contact:
Dorothy Bradley or Ray Brown, Infant Feeding Team, Strathbrock Partnership Centre, 189a West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5LH.
Tel: 01506 771843

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES:
To ensure that children, young people and families can overcome special needs and disadvantages in order to maximise their potential. Children and young people deserve a head start in their lives. As well as providing the statutory child protection services, we are now re-focusing on on the importance of preventative work with young families to help them cope with the pressures of parenting.
For young people who are unable to cope with a range of difficulties, we will address these issues and work with them to resolve their problems, e.g. offending behaviour, truancy, drug/substance misuse, bullying and being out of parental control.
For more information contact your local Social Work Centre as follows:
Bathgate – 01506 776700, Livingston – 01506 282252, Broxburn – 01506 775666

CHILDCARE INFORMATION:
Free, impartial information on childcare and pre-school education services throughout Scotland. For more information contact: Childcare Information Service, Early Years & Childcare Development, West Lothian Council – 01506 280044 or visit website www.scottishfamilies.gov.uk

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE:
This service, managed by West Lothian Healthcare NHS Trust, offers a single entry point into health and local authority services for pre-school children with special needs and can offer parent support groups. The centre covers the whole of West Lothian and is based in Beatlie School Campus.
For more information contact: Louise Jarman or Katla Gamble, Beatlie School Campus, The Mall, Craigshill, Livingston, EH54 5DZ. Tel: 01506 777598

CHILD DISABILITY SERVICE:
The Child Disability Service assesses the needs of children with disabilities and their families and offers a range of service provisions including direct work with families and practical resources. In addition the service provides the same range of services as those offered by the other Children and Families Practice Teams.
Child Disability Service, West Lothian Council, Strathbrock Family Unit, 47 West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5RL. Tel: 01506 855244.

CHILDMINDERS:
Childminders work in their own homes looking after other people’s children and care for up to five children under 8 years old. They must be registered by the Registration and Inspection Service and police, health, safety and social checks are also carried out. Childminders are widespread throughout West Lothian.
For more information contact:
Care Inspectorate, Stuart House, Eskmills, Musselburgh, EH21 7PB. Tel: 0131 653 4100
Website – www.careinspectorate.com

CIRCLE WEST LOTHIAN:
Circle West Lothian provides intensive support to children and families affected by parental drug and/or alcohol use in West Lothian. Services include:

Support to parents with parenting issues and on developing a safer lifestyle
Encouraging and supporting parents to engage with drug and alcohol services
Individual and group support to children and adults
Support to access other services for children and families

Referrals can be made by a parent or a professional.
Circle West Lothian, 151 Rowan Drive, Blackburn, EH47 7NZ. Tel: 01506 653360 or email hearth@fsu.org.uk. Website – www.circlescotland.org

DRUG & ALCOHOL SERVICE:
This service offers general advice, individual counselling, family support, sex education etc. for people with drug, alcohol, smoking and health needs. This group covers the whole of West Lothian and is managed by an independent voluntary organisation.
For more information contact:
West Lothian Drug & Alcohol Service, Floor 1, Almondbank Centre, Shiel House, Craigshill, Livingston, EH54 5HQ. Tel: 01506 430225 or email enquiries@wldas.org
The ‘Stop Smoking’ Clinic at St.John’s Hospital can be contacted on 01506 523871

DRUG TEAM (SOCIAL WORK):
This team aims to provide an accessible and flexible service to individuals and families wishing to take positive action to address drug related problems. The team can be contacted by phone and an appointment to meet with a drug worker will be offered within seven days. Clients will have the opportunity to explore problems, consider options and make choices about what action they wish to take.
For more information contact:
Tel: 01506 775666 – Monday-Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm

FIRST STEPS PLAYGROUP:
This is a playgroup for children with special needs, providing year round provision for 1-5 year olds and 3-5 year olds may be in “split placements”. The service is run by an independent voluntary organisation and is available to families who live in West Lothian with limited transport available in some areas.
For more information contact:
First Steps Playgroup, Beatlie School Campus, The Mall, Craigshill, Livingston, EH54 5DZ.
Tel: 01506 777883

GENERAL PRACTITIONERS – CHILD HEALTH SURVEILLANCE:
GPs and Health Visitors work with the West Lothian Healthcare NHS Trust to monitor development of pre-school children. They carry out development assessments of every pre-school child. Almost all GPs in West Lothian are included in this service.
For more information: Please contact your Health Visitor

HOME-START WEST LOTHIAN:
Home-Start West Lothian is a local charity supporting families all over West Lothian by reducing their isolation and increasing their social support networks as well as helping to improve children’s health, wellbeing and development. We are able to do this by offering a unique service to families by way of a Parent Volunteer to offer support and friendship through home visiting as well as family and specialist groups and through social events.
We support families who are:

isolated in the community with no family nearby and struggling to make friends
suffering with post-natal illness but finding it hard to talk to anyone about it
struggling with the emotional and physical demands of having twins, triplets or more
having a hard time coping with a child’s illness
overwhelmed by the death of a loved one
struggling to cope with a disability or relationship problems

For more information contact:
Shelley Bowman (Manager) or Carol Ann Fordyce (Co-ordinator)
Telephone: 01506 854529
email: admin@homestartwl.org.uk Website – www.homestartwl.org.uk

LINK PARENT SUPPORT:
Link is open to any parent or carer of a child with special needs and provides a mutual support and information service in a group session. Information and support is also available by phone or email. A large library of books and videos are available on different conditions. Link has produce a comprehensive directory of services which shows support groups and information for a wide range of additional needs services. The directory can be obtained from Link or from education, health or social work establishments.
email: linksupport.wl@btinternet.com
Website: www.linksupport.wl.btinternet.co.uk

NEW DEAL FOR LONE PARENTS:
New Deal for Lone Parents offers the chance to refresh or learn new skills to increase the chance of gaining employment. A specialist advisor helps to draw up a personal action plan and can give co-ordinated information on childcare, employment, educational opportunities and on the financial implications of returning to employment.
For more information contact your local Job Centre.

PARENTING WEST LOTHIAN:
Services in West Lothian recognise the pressures on parents today and the need they have for information, strategies, support and exchange about a whole range of issues that they have to deal with. Parenting West Lothian seeks to help meet that need in a way that respects parents’ abilities and opinions. If you are a parent, whether you are feeling confident and just need information on a particular topic or whether you feel you really need to change your approach in some way, we hope you will find something here that will help. If you are a professional seeking to help parents, we hope you will find the range of services, resources and contacts that are available useful in your task.
Email – enquiries@parentingwestlothian.org.uk
Website – www.parentingwestlothian.org.uk

PARENTLINE:
A confidential, anonymous helpline offering support to parents to allow you to provide the best possible care for your children. Specially trained volunteers will listen and help you to find a way forward. Whatever the problem – no issue is too big or too small.
For more information contact:
Parentline – 0808 800 2222 – because … being a parent isn’t easy.
Website – www.familylives.org.uk – also available via the website is Skype and email

PRE-SCHOOL HOME TEACHING SERVICE:
West Lothian Council Education Services may provide a teacher to support pre-school children with special needs and their families/carers. The teacher can visit young children and parents in their own home, working collaboratively with other agencies – e.g. speech and language, physiotherapists and visual impairment specialists.
For more information contact:
Pre-School Home Teaching Service, Beatlie School Campus, The Mall, Craigshill, Livingston, EH54 5EJ. Tel: 01506 777598

SAFETY IN THE HOME EDUCATION SERVICE:
West Lothian Healthcare Trust work with other agencies to run an educational programme on accident prevention and safety in the home throughout West Lothian.
For more information contact:
Avril Gardner, Strathbrock Partnership Centre, 189A West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5LH. Tel: 01506 771867

SCOTTISH CHILDMINDING ASSOCIATION:
The Scottish Childminding Association exists to promote childminding as a quality childcare service. A Development Officer is available to provide a service for parents, childminders and any other interested parties with regard to developing and promoting childminding in their own area. The development worker will provide support and information to individuals and groups and provide training for new and experienced childminders.
For more information contact:
Scottish Childminding Association, 7 Melville Terrace, Stirling, FK8 2ND.
Tel: 01786 445377 or email information@childminding.org

SCOTTISH PRE-SCHOOL PLAY ASSOCIATION – DEVELOPMENT WORKER:
The SPPA Development Worker will support voluntary playgroups and assist in their development to reach the standard required for partnerships with Local Authority to provide pre-school education throughout West Lothian. This service is funded by West Lothian Council Education Services (Early Years and Childcare Partnership).
For more information contact:
Scottish Pre-School Play Association, 21-23 Granville Street, Glasgow, G3 7EE.
Tel: 0141 221 4148 Website: www.sppa.org.uk

SIGNPOST:
Signpost is a voluntary organisation which offers information and support to families of young people (birth to 18) who have disabilities or other special needs. We offer a helpline, drop-in office, regular newsletters and a website as well as individually tailored information for enquirers. Open to families, carers and professionals who support them, this is a ‘one-stop-shop’ so that people do not have to phone around many different agencies. Staff discuss and identify the needs of the whole family the put them in touch with with the most appropriate support. Every staff member is also a parent of a child with special needs so families appreciate our understanding of their situation. Informal emotional support is also offered.
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:30-2:30 and Friday, 9:00-12 noon
Signpost, Beatlie School Campus, Craigshill, Livingston, EH54 5EJ
Helpline: 01506 431123
email: enquiries@signpost-online.co.uk
website: www.signpost-online.co.uk

SURE START – EARLY YEARS PROGRAMME:
Sure Start aims to give young children (0-3 years) the very best possible start in life by working with parents and other agencies. Through the provision of a range of services provided in each locality, we hope to improve children’s social and emotional development, their health and their ability to learn. The range of activities undertaken at present include – Tots Exercise, Baby Groups, Craft Groups, Parent Support Groups and Parent/Child Development Groups.
For more information contact:
Sure Start, West Lothian Council, Strathbrock Partnership Centre, 189a West main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5RL. Tel: 01506 774700 or e-mail surestart@westlothian.gov.uk

TOY LIBRARIES:
These can be run by parents, volunteers, self-help groups or by statutory services and offer the opportunity to parents and carers to borrow toys and equipment that have been specially selected to encourage combined fun and learning. Support to set up toy libraries is easily accessed through the National Association of Toy Libraries.
For more information contact:
Website: www.natll.org.uk

WEST LOTHIAN COUNCIL ADVICE SERVICE:
This service provides independent advice, advocacy and representation on a wide range of problems by telephone, in person at the Advice Shop or by outreach services.
For more information contact:
The Advice Shop, Bathgate Partnership Centre, Lindsay House, Bathgate, EH48 1TS.
Telephone: 01506 283000 or email advice.shop@westlothian.gov.uk

WRAPAROUND CHILDCARE FOR CHILDREN IN NURSERY AND PRIMARY 1 – 3:
Childcare places are available before and after the hours of nursery classes and school in various primary schools throughout West Lothian.
For further information, or to request a leaflet, please contact:
Childcare Information Service – 01506 280044

YOUTH HOMELESS:
Youths now register with the general homelessness – there is no longer a specific team for enquiries regarding youth homelessness.

For more information contact:
Open Door Project, 1-12 Adelaide Street, Craigshill, Livingston, EH54 5HG.
Telephone: 01506 771787. Website – www.odap.org.uk

YOUTH HOUSING SUPPORT:
Please contact the Housing Service Department within West Lothian Council.
Telephone: 01506 775000