top of page
Search

Adult Services Forum 15 April

  • joford4
  • Apr 17
  • 11 min read

Updated: May 15

This month's Community Social Care & Wellbeing Forum focused on Adult Services looking at the increasing complexity of adult mental health needs, ongoing gaps in support for unpaid carers, and potential changes to adult social care. It also shared updates on the rollout of Community Outreach Hubs, promoted upcoming local events and training opportunities, highlighted new social policy reports on fuel poverty and food insecurity, and outlined wider strategic developments shaping health and social care across Highland.


On 15 April 2026, partners from across the third sector, NHS Highland and community organisations came together for the Skye and Lochalsh Community Social Care and Wellbeing Forum – Adult Services. The forum is part of the wider Health, Wellbeing, Welfare and Social Care Collaboration and continues to be an important space for sharing learning, identifying emerging issues and shaping collective action.

 

Upcoming events


Dunvegan Community Hub

Thursday 23 April 2026

Dunvegan Village Hall

10am – 4pm

 

The Feel, Heal, Real Food Festival - celebrating food, connection and wellbeing, a local food event to inspire and inform

Saturday 25th April 2026

Broadford Village Hall

11am – 4pm

 

Highland Social Prescribing Event Skye - be part of shaping how social prescribing works across the Highlands.

Monday 1 June 2026

Kyleakin Connections

1.00pm–4.00pm

 

Carers Scotland Highland Roadshow

2 June 2026

High Life Highland Inverness Leisure Centre

11am - 8pm

 

Sharing Information

 

Up in Smoke – Fuel Focus (August 2025)

Up in Smoke – Fuel Focus is a Skye and Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau (SLCAB) social policy report highlighting the real‑life impact of fuel poverty and heating policy changes on rural households. Drawing on local focus groups and lived experience, the report explores reliance on solid fuels, rising energy costs, and the challenges rural communities face during the transition to net zero. It makes the case for policies that reflect rural realities and protect households already under financial pressure.

 

Food For Thought (March 2026)

Food For Thought is SLCAB’s March 2026 social policy work focusing on food insecurity in Skye and Lochalsh. Building on frontline advice data and client experience, the report highlights the growing pressures of rising food costs, low incomes, and the difficult choices households are forced to make between food, fuel and other essentials. The publication supports ongoing conversations with partners and decision‑makers about prevention, access to affordable food, and tackling the root causes of hardship in rural communities.SLCAB social policy and reports: https://www.slcab.org.uk/news 

 

Skye and Lochalsh Caring Communities Plan (2025–2030)

The Skye and Lochalsh Caring Communities Plan 2025–2030 sets out a shared, long‑term vision for building a sustainable, community‑led approach to health, wellbeing, welfare and social care across Skye and Lochalsh. Developed through local engagement, co‑production and lived experience, the plan focuses on prevention, early intervention and strengthening the third sector to respond to growing demand in rural communities. It provides a clear framework for partnership working between community groups, public services and local people, ensuring services are better connected, more resilient and shaped around local needs.

​

The Skye and Lochalsh Wellbeing and Community Support Directory 2025-2027

Information and contact details for over 130 support services available to people of all ages living in Skye and Lochalsh. The listings include locally based charities and volunteer-led community groups plus national helplines and organisations based outwith the local area offering outreach or remote assistance, alongside contact information for services offered by The Highland Council, NHS Highland and emergency services. The information in this Directory is updated on a monthly basis. Printed copies of the Directory are also available, and these are updated every 2 years. 

 

Community Outreach Hubs: bringing services closer to home

A key focus of discussion was the rollout of the new Community Outreach Hubs, with the first hub launching in Dunvegan on 23 April (10am–4pm). These mobile hubs will move between communities across Skye and Lochalsh, spending around three months in each area.

 

The hubs aim to reduce barriers to access by bringing support directly into village halls and community spaces. Residents will be able to drop in for advice, information and activities, as well as connect with a range of services including:

 

  • Single‑session counselling from Counselling Care Skye & Lochalsh

  • Mental health and wellbeing support from Mikeysline

  • Befriending and social connection opportunities

  • Support for unpaid carers through Connecting Carers

  • Creative, play and wellbeing activities in a relaxed, welcoming setting

 

Alongside service delivery, the hubs will also support deeper community engagement, helping to identify local priorities and shape future support in response to what communities tell us they need.

 

 

Adult Mental health, early help and growing complexity

Partners reported seeing an increase in the complexity of needs presenting to local services, particularly around mental health. There was strong agreement on the importance of encouraging people to seek help earlier, before reaching crisis point, and continuing work to reduce stigma around asking for support.

 

The forum shared information on existing pathways, including NHS 24 and the Distress Brief Intervention service, while acknowledging that gaps remain and that clearer information for practitioners and the public is needed.

 

Read more about DBI on the Change Mental Health Website; Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) - Change Mental Health

 

For information on mental health support, wellbeing services and training available across the Highlands, visit the Highland Mental Wellbeing website: https://www.highlandmentalwellbeing.scot.nhs.uk/.

 

To find out more about NHS Highland’s approach to supporting people with mental health needs and learning disabilities, including priorities for care and partnership working, visit the Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Strategy page:https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/about/highland-health-and-social-care-partnership/highland-hscp-publications/mental-health-and-learning-disabilities-strategy/

 

Unpaid carers and gaps in local support

A recurring theme was the lack of dedicated, face‑to‑face support for adult unpaid carers in Skye and Lochalsh. While positive steps are being taken to better identify carers through NHS systems, the hubs were seen as a key opportunity to engage directly with carers, understand their experiences and co‑design future support.

 

If you are or know an unpaid carer looking for information, advice or support, including carers’ assessments and local services, visit NHS Highland’s Unpaid Carers page: https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/your-services/all-services-a-z/adult-social-care/unpaid-carers/.

 

Connecting Carers provides information, advice and practical support for unpaid carers across Highland. Their service helps carers recognise their role, access carers’ assessments, take breaks, connect with local support, and navigate health and social care systems, with a strong focus on wellbeing and early support. Find out more: https://connectingcarers.org.uk/ 

 

Partners in Advocacy (PIA) provides information, advice and one‑to‑one support for unpaid carers supporting adults and older people across Highland, helping carers access assessments, understand their rights, look after their wellbeing and navigate health and social care services.https://www.pia.scot/what-we-do/adults-older-people/highland-carers/ 

 

Changes in adult social care: what we need to watch

The group discussed emerging proposals within NHS Highland around adult social care commissioning. While these plans are still at draft stage, partners raised important questions about how changes could affect rural and island communities, workforce sustainability and the growing reliance on unregulated personal assistants. There was agreement on the need for transparency, local involvement and appropriate training if new models of care are introduced.

 

Highland Council Agrees Next Phase in Review of Health and Social Care Integration

In March 2026 the Highland Council agreed the next phase in its review of how health and social care services are organised and delivered across the Highlands, working in partnership with NHS Highland. The review is looking at whether current arrangements remain the best way to plan and deliver services for adults, children and families, particularly in the context of growing demand, workforce pressures and the challenges faced by rural and island communities.

 

Highland currently operates a unique “Lead Agency” model, where NHS Highland delivers adult health and social care services on behalf of the Council, and the Council delivers some children’s services on behalf of NHS Highland. As part of the review, councillors have now agreed that two options should be taken forward for public engagement and consultation:

  • retaining and developing an enhanced Lead Agency model, or

  • moving to a “Body Corporate” model, which would bring Highland in line with how integrated health and social care is organised elsewhere in Scotland.

 

An initial appraisal of options has already taken place, and the next phase will focus on gathering views from people who use services, staff, partners and communities. Feedback will play a key role in shaping future arrangements, with a strong emphasis on understanding what works well locally and what could be improved. Subject to approval by the NHS Highland Board, a programme of engagement and consultation is expected to take place later in 2026.

 

A timetable has also been agreed, with the aim of reaching a final recommendation by September 2026, which will then be considered jointly by Highland Council and the NHS Highland Board. While no final decisions have been made at this stage, the review represents a significant moment for health and social care in the Highlands and an important opportunity for local voices—including communities, third sector organisations and frontline workers—to influence what comes next.

 

Read the Models of Integration Review – Options Appraisal Phase 1 Outcome report and Phase 2 Initiation Report- from the Highland Council Meeting on the 26th March  9. Models of Integration Review

 

  

For information about adult social care services in Highland, including care at home, assessments and support options, visit NHS Highland Adult Social Care: https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/your-services/all-services-a-z/adult-social-care/.

 

To learn more about NHS Highland’s strategic approach to adult services, including priorities for care, prevention and partnership working, visit the

 

NHS Highland has launched a new public engagement process to help shape its forthcoming 10‑year health strategy, setting out a long‑term vision for improving health and wellbeing across Highland, Argyll and Bute. how health and social care services develop over the next decade. Find out more and get involved: NHS Highland 10 year strategy. | NHS Highland Engagement Hub

 

Useful Highland Health & Social Care Partnership Publications

 

Annual Performance Reports These reports provide an overview of how integrated health and social care services are performing across Highland, highlighting progress, challenges and priorities for improvement year on year.

  

Adult Social Care Commissioned Services – Safer Staffing Act Annual Report. This annual report explains how commissioned adult social care services are meeting the requirements of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act, including workforce planning, risks and actions taken to ensure safe, high‑quality care.https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/about/highland-health-and-social-care-partnership/highland-hscp-publications/#AdultSocialCareCommissionedServices-SaferStaffingActAnnualReport 

 

Integration Scheme The Integration Scheme sets out how NHS Highland and Highland Council work together as a partnership, including roles, responsibilities and governance arrangements for integrated health and social care services.https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/about/highland-health-and-social-care-partnership/highland-hscp-publications/  

 

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) The JSNA provides an evidence‑based picture of the health and wellbeing needs of Highland’s population, helping to inform planning, commissioning and investment decisions across services.

 

Strengthening LGBTI Visibility and Support in Skye and Lochalsh

We were pleased to welcome colleagues from LGBT Youth Scotland and LGBT Scotland at this months forum, and explore a new Highland‑wide project being delivered by LGBT Youth Scotland in partnership with Youth Highland. The project focuses on improving access to support for LGBTI young people in rural and island communities, using a mix of online youth groups, one‑to‑one support, outreach activity and practical training for professionals. A key aim is to ensure young people who may feel isolated or unable to travel still have safe ways to connect, while also building confidence among schools, youth workers and community organisations to offer inclusive and affirming support.

 

Discussions highlighted the need for greater awareness of existing support, stronger connections between schools, youth services and community organisations, and clearer signposting for young people, families and practitioners. In particular, the student‑led LGBTI group at Portree High School was highlighted as a positive example of young people creating and sustaining a safe space for connection, identity and mutual support. This was recognised as an encouraging model of youth leadership and visibility within a rural school setting.

 

There was a shared understanding that visibility, early support and trusted relationships are especially important in small and rural communities, and that listening directly to young people must remain central to shaping future work and support.

 

For more information visit Home - LGBT Youth Scotland

Or meet LGBT Youth Scotland and Youth Highland at Highland Pride, at Eden Court on the 6th June from 1pm to 5pm. Highland Pride LGBT+ community | Facebook 

  

Forum Participants

 

Mikeysline – Mental Health & Emotional Support

Mikeysline provides free, confidential mental health and emotional support for people across Skye and Lochalsh. Their trained peer support workers offer a listening ear without judgement, whether someone is feeling overwhelmed, anxious, lonely, or struggling with their mental health. Support is available in a range of ways to suit different needs, including text‑based support, phone, online chat and face‑to‑face appointments where available locally. Mikeysline also works with local schools, workplaces and community groups to promote mental wellbeing and early support.

Contact & Support

 

Highland BlindCraft Sensory Services – Support for Visual Impairment

Highland BlindCraft Sensory Services supports blind and partially sighted adults living in Skye and Lochalsh through outreach, home visits and rehabilitation support. The service helps people adapt to sight loss by building independent living skills, improving confidence and providing access to specialist equipment. Support can include mobility training, assistive technology, daily living skills and emotional support. Referrals can be made by individuals, families or health professionals.

Contact & Support

 

NHS Highland – Public Health

NHS Highland’s Public Health teams work across Skye and Lochalsh to improve population health and reduce health inequalities. Their work focuses on prevention, early intervention and evidence‑based planning, covering areas such as mental wellbeing, children and families, healthy ageing, substance use and lifestyle factors. Public Health teams collaborate closely with community organisations, schools, voluntary groups and the council to shape services around local needs.

Contact

 

LGBT Youth Scotland – Support for LGBTQ+ Young People

LGBT Youth Scotland supports LGBTQ+ young people aged 13–25 across Skye and Lochalsh, primarily through digital services and outreach linked to the Highlands. The organisation provides safe, inclusive spaces where young people can connect with others, access trusted information, and feel supported in their identities. Support includes online youth groups, one‑to‑one support, education work in schools, and national helplines and live chat services.

Support & Helplines

 

Kyleakin Connections – Learning Disability Support

Kyleakin Connections is a long‑established local charity supporting adults with learning disabilities in Skye and Lochalsh. Based in Kyleakin, the service offers a welcoming day resource where people build skills for independent living, social connection and confidence. Activities include cookery, arts and crafts, outdoor activities, IT skills, exercise and community involvement. The organisation also provides one‑to‑one support for individuals through personalised support arrangements.

Contact

 

Counselling Care Skye & Lochalsh – Counselling & Emotional Support

Counselling Care Skye & Lochalsh is a local charity making professional counselling accessible and affordable for people in the area. The service supports adults, children and young people experiencing a wide range of emotional and mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression, loss, trauma and relationship issues. Counselling is confidential and delivered by professionally trained counsellors, with sessions offered in community settings across Skye and Lochalsh, including schools.

Contact & Help

 

Highland Council – Children’s Services (Intervention & Prevention)

Highland Council’s Children’s Services work across Skye and Lochalsh to support children, young people and families through early intervention and prevention approaches. Multi‑disciplinary Family Teams collaborate with schools, health services and community partners to provide social work support, wellbeing assistance and practical family help before difficulties escalate. Services are organised around local school catchment areas to ensure a joined‑up, community‑based response.

Contact

  • Family Teams (Skye, Lochalsh & Wester Ross): 01478 613825

  

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) – Economic & Community Development

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is the Scottish Government’s economic and community development agency for the Highlands and Islands. In Skye and Lochalsh, HIE works with communities, social enterprises and businesses to strengthen the local economy, support sustainable growth and create resilient places to live and work. This includes support for community‑led development, social enterprise, regeneration projects, housing‑related initiatives, skills, tourism, and key sectors such as renewables, food and drink, and the creative industries. HIE takes a place‑based approach, working closely with local partners to help communities turn ideas into viable, long‑term projects that deliver economic and social benefit.

Contact

Main enquiries: 01463 245245

Website & enquiry form: https://www.hie.co.uk/contact-us/

 

Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations (SLCVO)

Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations (SLCVO) is a community development organisation supporting the social, health and community wellbeing of Skye and Lochalsh. SLCVO works with local community groups, charities, volunteers and public sector partners to strengthen the third sector, support collaboration and improve outcomes for local people. Key areas of work include supporting third sector capacity and sustainability, facilitating partnership and shared learning through forums and collaborations, and coordinating community‑based initiatives such as the Skye and Lochalsh Community Outreach Hubs. SLCVO also maintains an online Information Hub, providing accessible signposting to local services, support and opportunities, helping people and organisations navigate support across Skye and Lochalsh.

Contact

Main enquiries: 01478 612921

 

Skye & Lochalsh Community Wellbeing and Support Forums – 2026 Dates

SLCVO’s forums run throughout the year, rotating across Adult Services, Children & Young People’s Services, and Community Hub Services. Most meetings are hybrid.

 

Adult Services Forum (1.30–2.45pm)

  • 15 April – Portree UHI

  • 15 July – Broadford UHI

  • 21 October – Portree UHI

 

Children & Young People’s Services Forum (1.30–2.45pm)

  • 13 May – Portree UHI

  • 19 August – Broadford UHI

  • 18 November – Portree UHI

 

Community Hub Services Forum (1.30–2.45pm)

  • 17 June – Online

  • 16 September – Portree UHI (hybrid)

  • 16 December – Online

 

Comments

© 2023 by THE HOPE CENTER. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page