Providing PPE Care Bags to Health Care Workers

Two members of the Rotary Club of Livingston are also members of BNI (Business Network International) Bentley, Livingston an international organisation whose members meet weekly to discuss business and support each other’s businesses by sharing referrals.

As The Rotary Club of Livingston had just disbursed £18,500+ from our Charity Account to 9 local charities on 13 February 2020 our coffers were bare and members decided to establish a “Covid-19 Appeal Fund” with members making monthly donations and BNI Bentley (Business Network International), West Lothian and "Friends of the Rotary Club of Livingston" generously donating £550 to this Fund.

BNI Bentley were very impressed with the work we were doing in the community and referred us to BNI Scotland South and East Region which has 12 Chapters and they also decided to support our work with a very generous £1,200 donation.

Project "Care Bags” involved the printing and distribution of cotton drawstring bags, for personal belongings and equipment, to approximately 600 staff from NHS Lothian and West Lothian Council who deliver Health and Social Care within the West Lothian Community ie staff in community hospitals, district nurses and social care workers who care for people at home and in care homes.

Calum Brown of Minuteman Express, also a member of BNI Bentley, printed the bags with the names/logos of the 3 organisations involved:

The Rotary Club of Livingston

BNI - Business Network International

WLHSCP (West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership) + NHS Lothian + West Lothian Council

The “Care Bags” have now been distributed with each bag containing a tube of “Lovehearts” (donated by a "Friend of the Rotary Club of Livingston"), a biscuit (donated by Paterson Arran Ltd, Livingston - biscuit manufacturer) and a “Thank You Leaflet” from The Rotary Club of Livingston and BNI for all the support that has been given to the community.

This Project has shown us the importance of working and networking with our community and local businesses to draw people to Rotary.