By 11:30 most weekday mornings there is a lively buzz of conversation going on in the Open Door café.
website www.thebusyproject.org.uk for more information on this.
In common with many businesses, it has been a difficult year and a half for the Open People have come in with their friends and Door and its customers, some of whom have family, or met their friends there. Others have desperately missed their ‘home from home’ but come in alone and are engaged in debate with the forced closure provided the opportunity someone at the next table, or are engrossed in for a refurbishment and a rethink their daily paper, just enjoying the the way some things are done. general atmosphere. Coffees and “What has not of The volunteers are delighted to home made scones have been served and lunch orders of bacon changed is the be open again, with a new table layout, some upgraded cleaning rolls or freshly made toasties are underway in the kitchen area. This warm welcome, and sanitising measures in place and a new table service regime. is a typical day in the Open Door. has not changed is the the low prices What A local charity, the BASICS Trust, warm welcome, the low prices and established the café more than high quality of home baking, and the high the twenty years ago, when premises confirmed by customers’ positive on East Main Street in Uphall quality of home feedback. became available to them, the The Open Door also carries a same premises they are in today. good stock of greetings cards, baking” Their aim has always been to offer with a Christian focus, and at a warm and friendly welcome to Christmas time, a great selection of Christmas the local residents of Uphall and Broxburn, cards. A jigsaw exchange is now operating a place to socialise, and a listening ear to with a wide selection of second-hand puzzles someone in need of it. The door is open to to buy, or you can bring one you have already anyone and everyone, and there is the hope completed, and swap it for another. that it makes a positive difference to the quality If you have not yet visited, why not pop in and of life for individuals locally, and a positive see for yourself? contribution to the local community. The operation is managed and staffed by a team of volunteers, currently fifteen people, who give their time and energy to the successful running of the café. Any profits are reinvested in the local community by supporting youth work organisation, the BUSY Project. See @KonectMagazines
This article was contributed by Susanne Wilson, a trustee of the BASICS Trust, Scottish charity number SC026791. The Open Door is at 28 East Main Street, Uphall, and is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 – 1:00. LIVINGSTON | 9
