West Lothian College Student Association and Local Organisations Support Students Facing Financial Challenges

That the Parliament recognises the excellent work of the student association at West Lothian College, which is working with local organisations to support students in need due to challenging financial circumstances; notes that the association has linked up with Ladywell Baptist Church community kitchen, West Lothian Financial Inclusion Network and social enterprises, including The Larder, to provide hot meals to students, and their families, who are affected by poor mental health, poverty or COVID-19; commends the association for identifying support for students with children who face additional financial pressures over the festive period through River Kids and the West Lothian Financial Inclusion Network to ensure that no child goes without a present; notes that, through the West Lothian School Bank, which was set up five years ago by the lecturer, Kirstin Shemilt, the student association is helping students with school clothes for their children, and acknowledges the excellent partnership working between these local organisations and the student association.