John Heaney Electrical Limited (JHE), the Livingston-based electrical, mechanical and HVAC specialist, has become an official charity partner of local counselling service Smile.

The firm has signed an initial 12-month deal with the charity, which was set up 10 years ago to help young people in West Lothian suffering from mental health problems.

JHE managing director Mark Heaney said: "I know there are challenges in the third sector when it comes to funding. This is a charity which is close to my heart and I am very happy to be in a position whereby we are able to support Declan and his team.

"It’s great to be able to give to a good cause and the fact they are a local charity in Livingston, means a lot to us.

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"The work that Smile does is fantastic. So many young people are needing support these days and obviously not everyone can afford to go down the private route.

"That’s why the Smile facility is so important and every bit of funding is vital for them if they are to keep helping young people."

Every pound is vital for Smile, with demand for its services rapidly rising – there have been 888 referrals from October 2024-September 2025, up 47% on the same period for the previous 12 months. More than 3000 youngsters aged 11-24 have been helped since its launch.

"Part of our ethos is to be embedded in the community," said Smile founder and chief executive Declan Harrigan. "So to have a local company like JHE supporting us is particularly pleasing.

"We are very grateful to Mark Heaney for the partnership as it’s getting more and more difficult for the third sector to secure funding in the current financial climate.

"Referrals are rising and we have offered over 3000 one to one sessions so far this year - a 10% increase on the same time period last year. We are trying to future proof the next generation of young people in our area and partnerships like this will help us do that."