The latest ‘One Stop Shop’ event at Prestonpans Community Centre on Thursday 8 October brought together 30 organisations, giving local people the opportunity to speak directly with services and get the help they need.

Residents could access information and advice covering health and wellbeing, employment, money benefits and finance advice, housing and rent support, accessing emergency food, children and family support, volunteering organisations, and mental health. The organisations were also joined by Prestonpans GP Surgery and East Coast Ear Care, who provided free cardiovascular and ear health checks. 

The Information Hubs have been running for over a year, visiting different locations around East Lothian each month, bringing local services and community organisations together under one roof.   

The events are attracting growing numbers. At the last five events, there have been more than 500 stall engagements with organisations and over 60 follow-up activities to support people with additional or more complex support.

The difference the ‘one-stop-shop’ Information Hubs can make has been highlighted by residents attending the events.

One woman explained how being able to speak to several organisations in one place regarding finance, education and employment was much easier, and much less stressful: “Without the hub, this would have taken a lot out of me. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to meet with organisations in person.”

For another resident, the event provided access to immediate practical help: “I came because I wanted to speak to the East Lothian Foodbank.  I can now go home and eat knowing that I’ve got a Foodbank referral coming tomorrow.”

Event coordinator and East Lothian population health project manager for NHS Lothian Lorna Bellany said: “What makes the Information Hubs so valuable is that someone can come through the door with one question and leave having accessed support they may not even have known was available. The growing number of conversations and follow-ups shows the difference that bringing services together in local, accessible community settings can make.”

The next Information Hub is scheduled for Saturday 31 October at The Ridge, Dunbar, between 11am to 1pm, with the final event of the year on Saturday 5 December at John Gray Centre, Haddington 12pm to 2pm. No prior appointment is required.

Planning is underway to coordinate the Information Hubs on the first Wednesday of every month throughout 2027.