Main office & Dementia Resource Centre. Referrals: self, professionals, agencies, family/friends — anyone. Adults primarily (family support spans a range of ages). Team: Commissioned Service Lead, Dementia Advisor, Community Activities Organiser, Day Services Practitioners, Day Services Manager, Flexi Day Service Practitioner, volunteers. 24/7 Dementia Helpline: 0808 808 3000.
Western Isles Community Care Forum SCIO (WICCF)
All ages. Referrals from Statutory and Voluntary Care Services or self-referral. Information sharing, advice, referrals and signposting to services. Training (First Aid, Moving & Handling). Respite grants and breaks. Social groups. HS Carers Card (discounts/benefits with local businesses). Online Personal Assistant Directory. Hardship Fund. Emotional support. Carers Trainers Project, Eolas, Time To Live grants, Fois self-catering breaks, Respitality. Staffing: Co-ordinator, 2 Support Workers, 1 Admin support. Funded by Western Isles IJB. Provides the Directory of Care Services (https://www.wiccf.co.uk).
Alzheimer Scotland — Dementia Advisor
Confidential 1:1 or group emotional support, information, advice and signposting on dementia, caring role, brain health, memory concerns and how to get a diagnosis. Can refer/signpost to other services.
Department of Spiritual Care (NHS Western Isles)
Covers all of the Western Isles. Ages 14+. Referrals: any individual or organisation. Supports anyone in emotional stress and distress. Bereavement support, pastoral care and counselling, bedside visitation, 24/7 on-call chaplain at Western Isles Hospital (Stornoway), counselling for families and relationship issues, and Support Around Death (SAD).
Alzheimer Scotland — Dementia Friends
Free awareness initiative delivered by the Dementia Advisor. Raises awareness of dementia, reduces stigma and informs the public. Builds dementia-inclusive communities. Open to groups, public and private businesses and frontline services.
Penumbra Mental Health Western Isles
Covers all of the Western Isles. Ages 16+. Referrals: self-referral, family member, all health professionals. Support with mild to moderate mental health conditions — peer support and person-centred 1-2-1 support. Monthly Hope and Recovery group for those struggling with their mental health (Stornoway). Walking football (Stornoway). Walk & Talk delivered in partnership with Catch 23, all abilities (Stornoway).
Alzheimer Scotland — Monthly What’s On Guide & Newsletter
Monthly What’s On Guide and bi-annual newsletter. Email Westernisles@alzscot.org to join the mailing list.
Salvation Army Corps
Covers all of the Western Isles. All ages. Referrals: any individual or organisation. A warm space for all. Funeral services. Support to families going through bereavement. Part of the emergency response team. Emergency food parcels. Small community fund for emergencies (e.g. nappies, clothes). Christmas toy appeal.
Alzheimer Scotland – 24/7 Dementia Helpline
24-hour Freephone Dementia Helpline: information, signposting and emotional support.
Western Isles Rape Crisis Centre
Covers all of the Western Isles. Ages 13+, any gender. Referrals: any individual or organisation. Support for survivors of sexual violence and for family/friends. Specialist worker for childhood survivors of sexual violence. Advocacy support at every stage of the criminal justice system. Wellbeing groups — yoga, arts, safe space for women.