24-hour Careline operated by CnES; pendant alarm linked to Stornoway Control Centre. £6.50/month. Telecare sensors available via OT assessment.
Long Term Conditions Hebrides (LTCH)
Grassroots organisation for people with any long term condition, families and carers. 5 free Zoom sessions/week (self-management, mindful movement, yoga). YouTube channel with mindfulness/relaxation.
Advocacy Western Isles
All ages. Self-referral or referral by anyone (online form, phone, or in person at the office). Independent advocacy supporting people to be involved in decisions that impact them, have their voice heard and rights respected. Coverage includes: Mental Health, Self-Directed Support, Children & Young People, Children’s Hearings, Learning Disability and Generic Advocacy. Team: advocacy workers covering the Outer Hebrides, supported by managerial and administrative staff in the Stornoway office. Can help families navigate Self-Directed Support options for care budgets.
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 (Western Isles) — Office & Dementia Resource Centre
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.
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 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.
Island Befriending Project
Covers Lewis & Harris. Over 18s. Referrals: any individual or organisation. Various social events including supper clubs, ladies groups and minibus trips. Regular reminiscence sessions and kindness calls. Supports volunteers with mental health issues and breaks down barriers to volunteering.
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.
Embark Project
Covers Lewis & Harris. Over 18s. Referrals: any individual or organisation. Supports people to access physical activity including health walks and wheelchair-friendly walks. Cycling activities: ladies cycling group and 1-1 cycling sessions. Provides e-bikes and e-tandems, including free bikes for children. Regular gardening groups. (See also individual Embark activities in the Activities tabs.)