The West Dunbartonshire Healthy Living Initiative has its beginnings in the West Dunbartonshire Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP). There were two primary reasons for our development:

•   Recognition that West Dunbartonshire experiences some of the poorest health in   Scotland and the United Kingdom.
•   Establishment of the New Opportunities ‘Healthy Living Centres’ funding   stream.   HLC’s are viewed as additional to statutory services, geared to   promote health   and well being whilst encouraging ‘maximum’ community   development and   involvement

It became clear that for West Dunbartonshire Healthy Living Initiative to be effective it;

Should take into account poverty & socio-economic factor, which are major determinants of health & well-being.

•    Should build on what already exists
•    Should deliver a mix of services, courses & activities
•    Must target those most excluded
•    Community ownership

There had been a lot of ‘hard talking, planning and working’ together with an enormous amount of time and effort to get to where we are today, and our thanks are extended to those who have worked tirelessly behind and in front of the scenes’.

Where we are today

The West Dunbartonshire Healthy Living Initiative has grown and evolved in a dynamic manner. We have become a limited company with charitable status. We are governed by a board of twelve voluntary directors from a range of community groups and organisations. With a staffing compliment of 21 and growing. We face many challenges and look forward to working closely with local communities, partner agencies and individual service users to meet those challenges in a flexible and integrated manner.

Priority areas of working for the West Dunbartonshire HLI are:

•    Food & Food Poverty
•    Stress & Stress Management
•    Community Based Family Support
•    Children & Young People
•    Community Capacity Building & Training

For further details about the Healthy Living Initiative contact;

Deborah Niven on 0141 951 8223 / 01389 761438

Email: Debs Niven


West Dunbartonshire Healthy Living Initiative
Unit 9, Leven Valley Enterprise Centre, Castlehill, Dumbarton. G82 5BN
Tel: 01389 761438       Fax: 01389 764220      E-mail: info@hli.org.uk