NHS Western Isles invites local voluntary groups and organisations to bid for funds

NHS Western Isles is inviting organisationsin the Western Isles to submit bids for capital grant funding to support projects that will provide a health and wellbeing benefit to the community.

The deadline for bids is strictly 31st January 2026.

NHS Western Isles has supported a number of local organisations with capital grants in the past, many have been featured on our Social Media pages. These have included vehicles for outings for clients at Bethesda Care Home and Hospice, new building improvements at Hillcrest House, refurbishment works to enhance the Kinloch Community Hub, and accessibility equipment for Neuro Hebrides at Lewis Sports Centre. We welcome bids from all geographical areas of the Western Isles and from all types of voluntary and ‘not for profit’ organisations.

The 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 voluntary and not for profit organisations and bids for Capital Grant funding from NHS Scotland to help support these groups. The Board has, yet again, been successful and is delighted to be able to support these local organisations.

The Health Board has now launched its 2025/2026 Capital Grants process and is inviting eligible organisations to make bids for funding of between £5,000 and £35,000 as soon as possible.

Many organisations may not have knowledge of NHS Scotland Capital guidance and just exactly what qualifies as a capital grant. A brief explanation is below, but please get in touch if you have any queries about whether your project is eligible: contact NHS Western Isles’ Finance Department via Cheryl Martin (email address: cheryl.martin@nhs.scot) and someone will respond to your query as soon as possible.

Capital expenditure includes funds used to purchase new, or maintain or upgrade existing assets, such as buildings, equipment, infrastructure, computer hardware and other tangible property and must cost a minimum of £5,000 per item. Capital Expenditure does not include arts and craft materials, small items of furniture or small or low value items of IT equipment. Further information and examples are also available on the bid form.

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, Gordon Jamieson, stated: “We were very fortunate to have had a successful bid to the government for Capital Grants and with this money, we can potentially support a variety of local organisations and projects. Voluntary organisations provide invaluable services across the Western Isles and there is a clear link between their work and benefits to the health and wellbeing of the community, we would like to offer groups the opportunity to bid for funding.”

He added: “We would urge groups who meet the criteria not to miss out on the opportunity to access this year’s funding.”

The Capital Grant Application Form is available from the Health Board’s Finance Department (email Cheryl.martin@nhs.scot to request a form).

Applications must be received by no later than 31st January 2026, and applications will be contacted directly regarding the outcome of the process. The grants will be awarded by 31st March 2026.

There is no right of appeal regarding the outcome of an application.