Chill Out Zone

The Chill Out Zone (or COZ for short) is our Healthy Living Centre based in Bathgate. The centre provides a holistic early prevention service for young people in West Lothian aged 12-20. Dealing with a range of issues including physical, sexual and mental health, the centre is purpose built and includes a 'cyber café', a confidential counselling room, a medical room and a large meeting room.

A combination of professionally trained staff and trained volunteer young people are on hand to talk to young people and point them in the right direction to the information and/or support service they need.

Ellen (16) and Sarah (14) have been coming to COZ for some months - a friend told them about it. They feel able to talk to the workers, feel safe at COZ and have tried things they've never tried before - arts and crafts, cooking, sports, even interviewing candidates for a job at COZ which was useful in helping one of the young women in her own job interviews.

Both Ellen and Sarah would like COZ to be open longer, especially on Fridays and Sundays. Reflecting the enthusiasm and role that young people have in the activities of COZ, they suggested that an advisor for housing for over 16s should be available or give a talk.

Ellen and Sarah feel COZ has "kept them off the streets" and they have a place where they can talk to someone if needed. Their relationships with their parents have been helped. One of our workers encouraged them to talk with their parents. Sarah said her Mum doesn't worry as much now-she knows where she is. Following the Care in the Sun campaign that COZ held, to inform young people about the effects of the sun, and in line with the national campaign, Ellen said that she would think about using sun cream now. Together Ellen and Sarah highlight the many different uses young people are making of COZ and the benefits they are gaining in different aspects of their lives.

If you would like to access this service, you can find contact details in our Services Contact List.

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