West Lothian Food Train

West Lothian Food Train The Food Train provides a range of vital services to older people living in Scotland

The Food Train provides a range of vital services to older people living in Scotland
https://www.thefoodtrain.co.uk/

Do you have a couple of spare hours on a Thursday morning (approximately 8:00am–10:00am)?We're looking for friendly volu...
16/06/2026

Do you have a couple of spare hours on a Thursday morning (approximately 8:00am–10:00am)?

We're looking for friendly volunteers to join our amazing team and help shop for older people who are unable to shop independently. Volunteer shifts take place in Morrisons in Livingston.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in your local community by helping older people maintain their independence and access the food they need.

If you're interested in finding out more, please contact us:

📧 [email protected]
📞 01506 413013

We'd love to hear from you!

Lovely week celebrating Volunteer Week but the "big" Summer Volunteer Celebration event for our fantastic volunteers is ...
05/06/2026

Lovely week celebrating Volunteer Week but the "big" Summer Volunteer Celebration event for our fantastic volunteers is on 12th June 😎🤩 This week we've enjoyed eating way too many cream cakes and hearing some heartfelt stories from our volunteers about their Food Train experiences and the pals they've made with each other, the members and of course the staff!

Just a note for reference - West Lothian Food Train volunteers supported us last month with a whopping 1,378 volunteering hours - supporting older people throughout our community, an amazing wee army we have😍

Meet Lynn, our amazing volunteer who delivers our Library service every month. 📚❤️Our Library service helps people who a...
05/06/2026

Meet Lynn, our amazing volunteer who delivers our Library service every month. 📚❤️
Our Library service helps people who are unable to get to their local library continue enjoying books from the comfort of their own home, bringing books and audio books as well as friendly conversation.
For Lynn, volunteering has filled a gap she didn’t even realise was there.
"Volunteering with Food Train has given me something I didn’t know I was missing – the gap left by no longer having elderly parents around. Their unique life experiences and priceless one-liners, such as ‘I widnae ken him if I met him in my porridge’, are unmissable! Oh, and being called ‘hen’… priceless."
Thank you, Lynn, for helping bring stories, companionship and smiles to our members each month. Volunteers like you make such a difference. 💙

Today, we would like to say a huge thank you to our fantastic Delivery Teams.Our delivery volunteers visit members in pa...
04/06/2026

Today, we would like to say a huge thank you to our fantastic Delivery Teams.
Our delivery volunteers visit members in pairs, building wonderful relationships with those they support. The camaraderie between our teams is second to none, and their dedication makes a real difference every week.
One of our volunteers has been with Food Train for almost three years, joining to give something back to the community. For the entire three years, he has been partnered with the same volunteer, and together they have developed their own unique system. As they put it, they “work like a well-oiled machine, one focusing on quality and one focusing on quantity” – although they won’t reveal who is responsible for which! He is also always prepared, keeping a screwdriver close at hand just in case anything needs tightening, or batteries replacing.
His delivery partner has also been volunteering with us for nearly three years. He joined as he likes to keep busy and thoroughly enjoys his time at Food Train. Together they have built a wonderfully comical partnership, with their main aim being “to ensure the members have a smile on their faces when we leave them” – even if that means breaking into a dance to get a laugh.
Once all the members are happy and their deliveries are complete, there is only one thing left to say: “Home James, and don’t spare the horses!”
Thank you both for your commitment, kindness, humour, and the joy you bring to our members each week. We are incredibly grateful to have you as part of the Food Train family.
week

Today we take a look at our Friends service and more of our wonderful volunteers From shopping deliveries to friendship ...
03/06/2026

Today we take a look at our Friends service and more of our wonderful volunteers
From shopping deliveries to friendship visits, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. ❤️
After joining Food Train in 2012, one volunteer has spent 14 years supporting members through Shopping, Cleaning and Friends services. Retiring at 67, he wanted to give something back and found a role that perfectly matched his values.
Another volunteer began giving up her day off to support others and quickly discovered that the friendships she built with members enriched her life just as much as theirs. She loves seeing members’ smiling faces each week and watching friendships grow, especially during her two years volunteering alongside David.
Together, they share a belief in helping older people maintain their independence, stay connected, and enjoy life. Whether it’s sharing stories on the “Party Bus”, getting stuck in a lift on a day out, or simply being there when someone needs support, every moment matters.
One particularly memorable moment came when a volunteer arrived with a member’s shopping and realised something was wrong. After gaining access to the house, they found the member had fallen the night before and was unable to get up. Her first words were, “I knew you would be coming.” Moments like these remind us why Food Train’s services are so important.
As one volunteer says: “If you act like you are in your 80s, then you will feel like you are in your 80s.”
Thank you to all our incredible volunteers who give their time, friendship, humour and kindness to support older people across Scotland. Every day, you make a difference.
week

Today, we'd like to introduce just a few of our amazing volunteer shoppers who give their time each week to support olde...
02/06/2026

Today, we'd like to introduce just a few of our amazing volunteer shoppers who give their time each week to support older people in our community.
Ask our volunteers why they joined Food Train, and you'll hear a variety of reasons. Some were looking for a meaningful way to spend their time after retirement. Some had seen first-hand the impact of the service through caring roles. Others responded to a suggestion from a loved one or a local call for volunteers.
Ask them why they stay, and the answers are remarkably similar.
It's the people. The friendships formed over a morning's volunteering. The laughs shared while preparing deliveries. The feeling of being part of a team that genuinely cares about its community.
Our volunteers also spoke about the moments that remind them how important their role is. Sometimes it's being there when someone needs help. Sometimes it's a note on a shopping list that offers a glimpse into someone's life. Sometimes it's knowing that a delivery means an older person can continue living independently at home.
One volunteer summed it up perfectly:
💚 "It's only a couple of hours out of your week, but it makes a huge difference."
This Volunteers' Week, we're celebrating the people behind Food Train—those who give their time, kindness and energy to support older people across our communities.
Thank you for everything you do. We couldn't do it without you. 💚
💚🚚🛒

It's time to say a huge THANK YOU to all our volunteers for their time, hard work, and dedication. Without you, we simp...
01/06/2026


It's time to say a huge THANK YOU to all our volunteers for their time, hard work, and dedication. Without you, we simply couldn't deliver the vital services that support our members every day.
To celebrate VolunteersWeek, we're giving you a glimpse into some of the fantastic volunteer roles we offer. First up, meet some of our wonderful Monday Office Team We asked them to share their experiences of volunteering with Food Train, and here are just a few of their thoughts:
💬 "After taking early retirement, I wanted to support a local charity where I could see the difference being made. I've never regretted choosing Food Train."
💬 "Knowing I'm making a difference to our members is what keeps me coming back."
💬 "The thanks and kind comments from members make it all worthwhile."
From making a difference in someone's day to being part of a welcoming community, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do.
One volunteer shared:
💬 "Sometimes you may be the only person someone speaks to that day. Taking the time to have a conversation can really brighten their day."
Many of our volunteers talk about the friendships they've made, the support they've received, and the rewarding conversations they have with members each week.
💚 "The first step is the hardest, but you won't regret it. You'll make a real difference and meet some wonderful people."

Today marks the start of Volunteers’ Week, and we want to say a huge thank you to all of our incredible Food Train volun...
01/06/2026

Today marks the start of Volunteers’ Week, and we want to say a huge thank you to all of our incredible Food Train volunteers. ❤️

Every day, your kindness, generosity, and dedication help older people across our communities feel supported, connected, and valued. Whether you volunteer your time delivering shopping, sharing meals, making phone calls, or offering companionship, the difference you make is truly life changing.

We are so grateful for everything you do, Food Train simply wouldn’t be possible without you.

Thank you for being part of our community and for all that you bring to it. 🌟

The National Lottery Community Fund support parts of our befriending services and we were delighted to welcome Neal Benn...
28/05/2026

The National Lottery Community Fund support parts of our befriending services and we were delighted to welcome Neal Bennison along today to see first-hand what they’re all about.

Neal joined our wonderful group for a seated exercise class, followed by lunch, plenty of laughs and lots of friendly chat. From keeping active to building friendships and reducing loneliness, these moments of connection make such a difference to the people we support every day.

We’re incredibly proud to be supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, whose funding helps us bring people together, strengthen communities and help older people feel connected, valued and supported.

A huge thank you to Neal for spending time with us and to the National Lottery Community Fund for helping make days like this possible.

🍲💛 Could you share an extra portion and make a real difference to an older person in your community? 💛🍲We’re looking for...
21/05/2026

🍲💛 Could you share an extra portion and make a real difference to an older person in your community? 💛🍲

We’re looking for volunteer cooks to join our local Meal Makers project.

Meal Makers connects people who love to cook with an older neighbour who would benefit from a home-cooked meal and some friendly company. Volunteers simply prepare an extra portion of food to share with a Diner, whether that’s sitting down together for a blether or dropping off a meal.

Together, we’re helping tackle loneliness and malnutrition while building connections within local communities. ❤️

Please share this post so we can reach as many people as possible.

👉 Interested in volunteering? Sign up here:
https://form.jotform.com/Food_Train/volunteer-enquiry

📧 For more information contact: [email protected]
📞 Or give Abi a call on 0141 551 8118

Address

Livingston

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+441506413013

Website

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