Roof repairs strengthen the future of the Claddach Kirkibost Centre thanks to NHS Western Isles Capital Grant

Essential roof repairs at the Claddach Kirkibost Centre have now been completed, thanks to a successful £15,000 capital grant application from Urachadh Uibhist.

The Claddach Kirkibost Centre plays a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of the North Uist community and surrounding areas. It provides a warm, welcoming and vibrant space for social interaction and hosts a wide range of activities, including community meetings, art exhibitions, Fèis music classes, a book café, genealogy classes, a community gym, and hot desk facilities for remote workers.

Water ingress and subsequent damage – including a build-up of mould – created potential health risks for centre users, as well as the risk of further deterioration to the building structure and the long-term sustainability of the centre.

Urachadh Uibhist is a Scottish Charity, housed within the Claddach Kirkibost Centre, which provides health and wellbeing improvement for a range of age groups through offering a wide range of educational, social and employment opportunities for the North Uist community.

Ada Campbell, Urachadh Uibhist Board Member, said: “If Claddach Kirkibost Centre were to close, it would be a huge loss to the community. The centre is vital in providing safe and comfortable spaces to support the health and wellbeing of North Uist. The repair to the roof was necessary to keep the centre running and the NHS funding has been essential in achieving this.”

Sara Else, Medical Director, NHS Western Isles, said: “We were really pleased to support essential maintenance that ensures the Claddach Kirkibost Centre remains a safe, healthy and accessible space for the community. Facilities like this play a crucial role in reducing isolation, promoting wellbeing and providing opportunities for people of all ages.”

This funding was made available to NHS Western Isles as capital grant funding, separate to revenue and capital core funding allocations for patient care and NHS services/staff. NHS Western Isles understands how difficult the financial situation can be for the third sector and not for profit organisations and bids for Capital Grant funding to help support these groups.