Supported accommodation
Our plans to provide supported accommodation will offer a supportive and life changing housing opportunity for individuals with alcohol and other drug addiction issues.
The original idea came from Shona Macleod who has been involved in working with individuals struggling with addiction for more than a decade. Through her work at the Lifestyle Centre and as the Comhairle’s Substance Misuse Co-ordinator, Shona became aware of the real need for this kind of supportive residential facility a number of years ago.
A piece of land was purchased in February 2008, in the village of Upper Coll and with the assistance of Hebridean Housing Partnership, Tighean Innse Gall, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the Scottish Government, the vision is now close to becoming a reality. Local building firm Cal Max started work on the site in January 2009 and the houses were completed in October 2009.
There are 3 houses on the site comprising of a 4 bedded, 2 storey house for prospective Service Users and a semi-detached unit compromising of a 2 bedded house for prospective Service Users and a 2 bedded house for staff, which will double up as office space for the Supported Accommodation Manager aswell as the Therapeutic Employment Manager.
Individuals will be able to stay in the supported accommodation for various lengths of time, depending on their individual circumstances. There will be an opportunity for people who have been to hospital for a detox to live in the supported accommodation for 6 – 8 weeks to help them get back on their feet. Others, who are finding it difficult to cope in the community due to their addiction and associated lifestyle could stay for up 6 months.
Residents will experience a safe place to stay, support with a wide range of issues including addiction, structure, hygiene, budgeting, diet and exercise, training and learning how to keep themselves safe in the community.
Therapeutic employment and the development of work based skills will be central to the programme.
Individuals will be encouraged and assisted in maintaining contact with local supportive agencies and keeping contact with their families and friends who are positive influences in their life. People who need this type of service at the moment, have to go to the mainland, which is very distressing for them and their families.
The annual cost of running the therapeutic employment scheme (£100k) and the supported accommodation (£180k) is in the region of £280,000 and will be financed by the various services that Hebrides Alpha provides in the community, donations from the public, public sector funding and grants from other grant making bodies.
It was hoped that the units would have been open by early 2010, but at the moment all requests for revenue funding have been turned down. We will continue to seek revenue funding to make this a reality, as we are still convinced that many people around the Western Isles are in need of such a project.
Construction Progress From Start to Finish...
Window Cleaning / Power Washing / Inflatables / Gutter Cleaning / Recycling / Textile Banks
