NHS Western Isles celebrates the Fas Fallain Project on Challenge Poverty Week

NHS Western Isles’ Fas Fallain project is highlighting one of its successful community projects as part of this year’s Challenge Poverty Week (October 2 – 8).  

The Fas Fallain healthy living project focuses on all issues relating to food and is part of the NHS Health Promotion Department. The project promotes healthy eating and growing fresh local produce throughout the Western Isles, with community development methodology always practiced. One example of this is the work carried out by the Cearns area.  

Fas Fallain, in partnership with the Cearns Community Association has been instrumental in the development of the Cearns ‘Grow Your Own’ project. Residents have embraced this horticultural initiative so much so that they have a waiting list for the raised beds. A similar project has now been established in the Manor and Castle area with support from Community Learning and Development (CLD).  

The Cearns also hosts the Community Fridge, which distributes surplus foodstuffs donated by the local Co-op. The Fridge also provides people with an opportunity to meet socially in a warm, comfortable space and have a hot meal while they are there. The initiative is dependent on volunteers from the area who run the project, supported by both CLD and Fas Fallain, as well as the area Community Development Worker.  

NHS Western Isles Fas Fallain Manager, Mary Maclean, said “The Cearns is an example of what can be achieved when the community and partner agencies work together to achieve identified community needs. The ‘Grow Your Own’ project provides an area for residents to grow their own vegetables with any surplus fed into the Community Fridge, which then facilitates healthy eating and Wonderbag cookery demonstrations.”