Community Navigator Support Service: How to access and what to expect from our services

Anyone can contact the Western Isles Community Navigator Support Service, including on behalf of an adult (with their permission) living in the Western Isles.

This could be your GP, a nurse or healthcare professional, voluntary and community groups, churches, as well as public agencies e.g. the local Benefits Agency.

In the first instance a Referral Form is required to be completed.  Individuals can also self-refer themselves to the Community Navigator team by using our Self-Referral Form.  Once completed, the form can be returned by emailing wi.mpower@nhs.scot or posting to the address below.

mPower Western Isles
Western Isles Health Board
37 South Beach
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2BB

Once your referral is received by the Western Isles Community Navigator Support Service, one of our Community Navigators, based either in Stornoway, Balivanich or Castlebay, will aim to contact the individual being referred within 2 weeks.

This will be to arrange a date and time for a home visit (or telephone conversation if you have concerns about home visiting during this time).

The Community Navigator will offer:

an initial meeting – where you and the Community Navigator will use a Wellbeing Plan to focus on your health, and how your health may impact your life and key interests.  The Wellbeing Plan is tailored to you, based on your own needs, abilities and goals.

a mid-term review – where you and the Community Navigator discuss how you are getting on with your Wellbeing Plan.  This includes what you have achieved to date, and even look at adapting your goals to better suit you e.g. try or learn something else.

an end review – where you have developed the confidence to try new things without Community Navigator support, or be referred to other groups which can offer assistance e.g. Ability Net.

Note. Whilst the majority of individuals are supported by the Community Navigator for 6-9 months, please note that you can request and obtain additional support/assistance at any time. 

Within your Wellbeing Plan, the Community Navigator will encourage you to start with three items you want to try. 

For some people, this could be getting outdoors for a health walk or joining a lunch group or knitting club.  Whilst for others, they might also want to learn digital skills such as how to send an email or use a video appointment, see their family through video, or even access online services such as their church or library service.

We understand this can be daunting, but fear not, our friendly team are here to help you at each stage. 

What matters to you develops your Wellbeing Plan.