06-05-2025
West Lothian mental health counsellor receives volunteer award from The Centre, Livingston
Jodi McNeill is a counsellor at S.M.I.L.E. Counselling in Livingston.
Local superstar, Jodi McNeill has been awarded a well-deserved Volunteer Award and a £100 gift card by The Centre, Livingston in recognition of her outstanding work in the community.
The aim of the Award, which has been running for many years, is to reward and recognise the fantastic work carried out by people in West Lothian who give up their time to help others and pay tribute to them with a personalised framed certificate and gift card to treat themselves.
Jodi is a counsellor at S.M.I.L.E. Counselling in Livingston.
S.M.I.L.E. was the shopping centre's first charity partner of the year, was founded 10 years ago by Declan Harrigan, to promote and support the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 11 to 24 in West Lothian by providing free and affordable counselling, ensuring young people can access the right support at the right time.
The services provided include face-to-face sessions to help with mental health challenges, including anxiety, trauma, and stress and also group sessions to promote mental health awareness and resilience in young people and their families.
The charity also partners with schools to provide on-site counselling, workshops and mental health education.
Jodi, who has been volunteering with the charity for almost two years, works with children and young people to support them through the many challenges they are facing with their mental health and wellbeing.
Her role includes providing one-to-one support, delivering group work, helping out at events and taking part in wider community engagement initiatives.
Kerry Hutchison, Schools Counsellor Team Leader at S.M.I.L.E. Counselling, who nominated Jodi, said: 'Jodi's natural ability to connect, listen and respond to young people with empathy makes her a vital part of our team.
'From one-to-one support to leading group sessions and representing S.M.I.L.E. at community events, Jodi goes above and beyond, which is why I wanted to nominate her for this amazing award.
'She truly embodies our values and continues to have a lasting impact on both the young people and the wider community.'
Jodi said: 'Volunteering at S.M.I.L.E. Counselling, with a team that's so passionate and dedicated to helping young people, has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life.
'The role offers me the chance to volunteer in lots of different ways. No two days are ever the same, and that variety is a big part of what makes this experience so meaningful and rewarding.
'What I really love most about it, is being able to make a genuine difference in a young person's life. Seeing the positive changes, no matter how small, and knowing you've helped someone feel heard and supported is an incredible feeling.
'There's a real sense of community in the work we do, and I'm constantly inspired by the resilience and strength of the young people I meet.
'Some of the highlights for me include those special moments when a young person reaches a breakthrough, or when they come back and tell you how much the support has meant to them.
'I would like to say a huge thank you to the team for nominating me which means so much and to The Centre, Livingston for presenting me with this wonderful award and gift card – it was such a lovely surprise!
Tess Sundberg, marketing manager at The Centre, Livingston said: 'It was such an honour to be able to present our Volunteer Award and Gift Card to Jodi in recognition of the incredible work she has been doing to help young people in the community and hear more about the valuable services and support the charity provides.
'If you know someone who is also going the extra mile and making a big difference helping people in West Lothian, please contact us so that we shine a bright light on them and reward them for all of their efforts.'
To mark the charity's 10th anniversary this year, S.M.I.L.E. Counselling have launched a new fundraising campaign, 'Your £10, Their Tomorrow', to encourage people to donate £10 a month to help safeguard a vital mental health service for children and young people for the next 10 years and beyond.
For more information about the services and support, and the latest fundraising campaign, check out their website,
All nominations for The Centre, Livingston Volunteer Award can be emailed to enquiries@
