Wednesday July 29th 2026
Douglas Fleming, Business Development Executive and Sarah Henley, Financial Services & Marketing Co-ordinator and from YouthSpace – Graeme Lacey, Project Manager, Ryan Wilson, Activities Co-ordinator and Katherine Orr, Health and Wellbeing Lead
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
A West Lothian charity supporting local young people is set to benefit from a £7,899 donation from NFU Mutual’s Edinburgh & Lothians agency.
YouthSpace, which operates in Linlithgow and the surrounding area, will receive the funding through NFU Mutual’s national Agency Giving Fund – an initiative designed to support local organisations making a difference in their communities.
The charity delivers a wide range of services for young people, including informal drop-ins, school engagement, holiday programmes, volunteering opportunities and dedicated mental health support. Over the past year alone, YouthSpace has provided more than 1,700 sessions, reaching in excess of 1,000 young people.
The donation will help the charity continue running six regular drop-in sessions, offering a safe and welcoming environment where young people can connect, build confidence and access further support when needed. It will also contribute to the ongoing costs of the charity’s Health and Wellbeing Hub, where free counselling is provided to young people who might otherwise struggle to access professional support due to long waiting lists or financial pressures.
Graeme Lacey, Project Manager at YouthSpace, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to NFU Mutual Edinburgh & Lothians for this generous donation. Demand for our services continues to grow, particularly around mental health support, and this funding will play a vital role in helping us maintain safe spaces and provide free counselling for young people who need it most.”
The Edinburgh & Lothians agency selected YouthSpace because of its strong local presence and the clear need for its services within the community.
Scott Carruthers, Agent at NFU Mutual Edinburgh & Lothians, added: “YouthSpace stood out to us as an organisation making a tangible difference to young people locally. We regularly hear concerns from our customers about the challenges facing younger generations — particularly around wellbeing, confidence and future opportunities — and YouthSpace is actively helping to address these issues.
“The charity provides not just support, but also opportunities for young people to grow in confidence, develop life skills and feel part of their community. We’re delighted to support the continuation of that work.”
NFU Mutual’s Agency Giving Fund, now in its sixth year, forms part of a wider £4million commitment to supporting national and local charities in 2026.
For more information about your local NFU Mutual agency in Edinburgh & The Lothians www.nfumutual.co.uk/agent-offices/edinburgh-and-the-lothians/
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