SLCVO

The Community Outreach Hubs are a series of monthly drop‑in events designed to make it easier for people to access third sector health, wellbeing, welfare and social care support close to home.

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Each hub takes place in a local community hall and offers a relaxed, welcoming environment with refreshments. People can drop in to speak face‑to‑face with a range of organisations and services all in one place.

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Support available includes welfare and benefits advice, cost of living and financial guidance, counselling and mental health outreach, bereavement support, family help, children’s activities, and more.

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The hubs rotate monthly across Skye and Lochalsh to make them accessible to as many communities as possible. Sessions will be held in Dunvegan (April–June), Lochalsh (July–September), and across Staffin, Portree, Broadford and Sleat (October–March).
 

What's on at the Hubs? ​​​​​​

Each hub brings together a range of local organisations offering friendly, confidential support. You can expect:

 

Health & Wellbeing

• Drop‑in wellbeing support

• One‑off counselling sessions

• Mental health advice and signposting

• Creative activities and movement sessions

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Support for Children & Families

• Play activities for children

• Family wellbeing support

• Guidance around early years and child development

• Bereavement support for children and young people

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Money, Benefits & Practical Help

• Welfare rights and income‑maximisation advice

• Help with debt, energy and housing questions

• Support for unpaid carers

• Employability and job‑seeking guidance

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​Who’s Involved?

The hubs are run by SLCVO and supported by a network of third‑sector organisations who will attend sessions throughout the year, including:

• Skye & Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau

• Corry Capers (Broadford & Strath Community Company)

• Counselling Care Skye & Lochalsh

• Rag Tag & Textile

• MySelf Management

• Skye & Lochalsh Mental Health Association

• Mikey’s Line

• Ross-shire & Skye Women’s Aid

• Crocus Highland (Highland Hospice)

• Community Contacts (Carr Gorm)

• Alzheimer Scotland

• NHS Smoking Cessation Team

• Kyleakin Connections

• Thriving Families

• Highland BlindCraft

• Connecting Carers

• Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association

• Change Mental Health

• Befrienders Skye & Lochalsh

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These partners will bring activities, information and support to help people of all ages and backgrounds.

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​A Community‑Led Partnership

The hubs are part of the Skye and Lochalsh Health, Wellbeing, Welfare and Social Care Collaboration, a partnership of third sector groups, communities and public bodies working together to improve services across the area.

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Supported by over £220,000 funding from the Whole Family Wellbeing Programme, the Adult Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, and the Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund, the hubs will run for an initial two‑year period and will continue to grow and adapt based on feedback from local people.

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Over the two years:

• £147,014 will be distributed to ten third sector organisations

• £22,590 will support hub delivery

• £47,743 will fund SLCVO staff and resources to manage the hubs

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Matthew Davis, SLCVO Service Manager
“This is a significant moment for Skye and Lochalsh. The Community Hubs will bring essential support directly into local communities and give people a simple, stigma‑free way to access help. We’re incredibly proud that the first major project of the HWWS Collaboration is led by the third sector and shaped by lived experience.”

 

For more information about the hubs contact Matt on 01478 612921 of email Matt.Davis@slcvo.org.uk

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