The Skye & Lochalsh Community Outreach Hub will deliver mobile, community-led support services across rural areas, improving access to health, wellbeing, welfare and social care through monthly hubs
Estimated Price
191644
1. What do you want to do?
We are seeking funding to deliver the Skye & Lochalsh Community Outreach Hub, a two-year mobile initiative (April 2026–March 2028) that brings essential services directly into rural communities. The hub will operate monthly from accessible community venues across Skye and Lochalsh, offering a welcoming, stigma-free space for individuals and families to access a wide range of support.
Funding will support the delivery of a three-tiered model:
Mental health and wellbeing support for adults, including counselling, peer support, creative workshops, and self-management sessions.
Whole family wellbeing services, such as play sessions, bereavement support, early years advice, and youth mental health support.
Welfare and poverty support, including on-site CAB advisers, financial education, income maximisation, and transport assistance.
The project will also fund coordination, venue hire, travel, promotional activity, and partnership delivery costs.
2. Why is your project important for your community?
Rural communities in Skye and Lochalsh face significant barriers to accessing services due to geographic isolation, limited transport, digital exclusion, and fragmented service delivery. Vulnerable groups—including unpaid carers, neurodivergent individuals, and those experiencing poverty—are disproportionately affected.
The Outreach Hub addresses these challenges by:
Bringing services directly to communities
Reducing stigma through informal, welcoming environments
Supporting early intervention and prevention
Strengthening collaboration across sectors
The project aligns with the Skye and Raasay Future Plan, Broadford and Strath Place Plan, and Lochalsh Community Action Plan, all of which call for improved access to local services, family-friendly spaces, and integrated support. It also supports the Skye & Lochalsh Caring Communities Plan and the Highland Whole Family Wellbeing Programme, ensuring services are co-produced, inclusive, and community-led.
3. What positive impact will your project have?
The Outreach Hub will:
Improve access to health, wellbeing, and social care services
Reduce social isolation and loneliness
Increase resilience and self-management among adults and families
Support early childhood development and family wellbeing
Provide financial advice and income maximisation to reduce hardship
Strengthen third sector capacity and collaboration
Foster community connection and reduce stigma
By embedding services in local venues and involving communities in design and delivery, the project will create a more inclusive, responsive, and sustainable support system.
4. What key milestones have you achieved so far and what will your next steps be?
Achieved:
Community engagement with over 100 third sector and public sector stakeholders
Mapping of 300+ local organisations and service gaps
Strategic alignment with local and national plans
Co-design workshops and monthly wellbeing forums
Partnership commitments from 16+ third sector and multiple public sector services
Detailed project plan, budget, and delivery model developed
Next steps:
Finalise delivery schedule and hub locations (Jan–Mar 2026)
Confirm delivery partners and service offers
Launch promotional campaign
Begin delivery in April 2026
5. What is your anticipated start date/end date?
Start Date: April 1, 2026
End Date: March 31, 2028
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