​Capital funding grant supports resilience centre in South Uist

Significant improvement work has been completed at Stoneybridge Community Hall to allow it to function as a dedicated resilience centre in South Uist, thanks to capital funding awarded by NHS Western Isles.

The funding has enabled essential upgrades to allow the hall to operate as a safe and reliable community hub during emergencies. A generator – which was purchased prior to the COVID 19 pandemic but left unconnected due to rising cost – has now been installed, ensuring the building can remain fully functional during power outages. The work also includes important accessibility enhancements, such as new threshold ramps and a designated disabled parking bay, making the hall more accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Stoneybridge Hall will serve as a central hub during emergencies, offering a safe, warm space where residents can gather, access hot food, and remain for as long as needed during extended power outages or severe weather events. This support will be particularly valuable for elderly and isolated individuals, who often face the greatest challenges during storms and prolonged disruptions.

South Uist is frequently battered by severe winter storms, with windspeeds sometimes exceeding 100mph. These storms are frequently accompanied by high tides, leading to flooding on coastal roads and causeways. These causeways are vital for accessing medical services but are often closed for safety by Emergency Planning Services. As a result, essential services such as doctors, nurses, ambulances, and fire crews can be cut off from parts of the island.

The centre will also support the efforts of NHS Western Isles and partner agencies such as Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, HM Coastguard, the Scottish Ambulance Service, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in managing local emergencies.

Debbie Bozkurt, Director of Finance and Procurement, NHS Western Isles, said: “We are pleased to support the Stoneybridge resilience centre, which will provide a safe space for the community during emergencies. The accessibility improvements will also make a real difference for residents with reduced mobility.”

Over the past few years, the hall has been running winter warm hubs, also known as Sunday Social events, which gives people of all ages the chance to come together in a warm, welcoming space to enjoy soup, sandwiches and home baking, all kindly provided by local volunteers. The Sunday Socials are made possible through a partnership between the local church, third sector organisations via UCVO, and volunteers from the community, showing what can happen when everyone works together.

Isabell MacInnes, a volunteer at Stoneybridge Hall, welcomed the generous support from NHS Western Isles, she said: “The hall committee is grateful for the funding to help make the necessary improvements. The hall is so important to the local community, as a key meeting place. This is clearly shown by the strong turnout at the Sunday Socials. Holding these types of events will also help people see the important role the hall could play in an emergency.”