Scalpay Community Centre kitchen upgrade making a real difference

Scalpay Community Association has received £35,000 in capital grant funding from NHS Western Isles to upgrade the kitchen facilities at the Scalpay Community Centre. This investment is already making a significant difference to the centre and local community.

The funding has enabled the installation of fully compliant, commercial‑grade kitchen equipment, transforming the centre’s ability to safely prepare and serve hot meals, refreshments and home baking. The improved facilities meet modern food hygiene, safety and accessibility standards and provide a high-quality kitchen capable of supporting a much wider range of community activities.

The upgraded kitchen is at the heart of the centre’s development as a community café and warm hub, providing residents with access to affordable hot food, hot drinks and, importantly, regular opportunities to meet and socialise. This is particularly valuable for older people in Scalpay and North Harris, where distance, transport and the remote island setting can contribute to social isolation.

The impact of the funding is already being felt. The new facilities are helping to create a consistent, welcoming and warm community space that:

• Reduces loneliness and isolation through regular opportunities to meet others.
• Supports mental wellbeing and social connection.
• Improves access to nutritious hot food and refreshments.
• Provides a safe, warm and welcoming environment throughout the year.
• Creates opportunities for community events, activities and intergenerational gatherings.
• Strengthens informal peer support and community resilience.

The £35,000 investment has turned the kitchen into a practical community asset, substantially increasing what Scalpay Community Centre can offer. It is helping the Association move beyond simply providing a building to creating an active community hub where people can eat, meet, participate and support one another.

For a small island community, this investment is making a very real difference to everyday life, improving wellbeing and strengthening the social connections that help sustain Scalpay and North Harris.

Frances Robertson, Nurse/AHP Director and Chief Operating Officer, NHS Western Isles, said: “We are delighted to support the upgrade of the Scalpay Community Centre kitchen, projects like this are vital in supporting healthy ageing in our island communities. Access to warm, welcoming spaces with regular social contact have a significant positive impact on wellbeing.”

Julie Milne, Events and Development Manager, Scalpay Community Association, said: “The new kitchen has made such a difference to what we can offer at the Community Centre. It’s been great seeing An Cala Café busy and having people coming in for a coffee, some home baking and a catch-up. We’re starting to serve homemade soup and a crusty roll from August which we’re really looking forward to.

“The kitchen and equipment has already been put to good use by “Women for Mission", who held a fundraising event recently and raised over £1,000, which was wonderful. It’s lovely to see the new facilities being used by, local groups, visitors and the wider community.”

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 from NHS Scotland to help support these groups.