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In July 2023 SLCVO hosted a 'Meet Your Local Community Groups' day in Portree. This was the first gathering of groups since the Covid-19 Pandemic and, although members of the public attending were few, groups found the day useful as it was a chance to network, meet new workers and start to build back the relationships that were lost due to the pandemic
Advocacy Highland
Established in 2003, Advocacy Highland is a registered charity providing independent issue-based advocacy for individuals aged 16 or over. Our core funding is provided by NHS Highland and is to provide advocacy under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. We focus on the support of key priority groups; those with mental ill health, personality disorders, learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and dementia. People often seek out advocacy services when they are having difficulty with aspects like communication, a lack of understanding, if they feel they aren’t being listened to or respected, or if they simply don’t feel confident enough to speak up alone.
Our advocacy is independent, free, and confidential. Our role is to support people to speak up for themselves to help them have a stronger voice and to have as much control as possible over their own lives. We help to ensure their voice is heard, their views are taken seriously, their rights are respected and upheld, and that they are involved in decisions that are being made about them.
https://www.advocacy-highland.org.uk
Alzheimer Scotland
Alzheimer Scotland is proud of the work we do to make sure nobody faces dementia alone. Find out more about the people that work for us in Skye and Lochalsh, the support that we offer, and the activities we run including bingo, online ceilidhs and tea and coffee at the Cuillin Hills Hotel Portree.
https://www.alzscot.org/westhighland
Atlas Arts
ATLAS Arts organises collective art projects across Skye, Raasay and Lochalsh. We work with artists and local residents through a programme of screenings, gatherings, residencies, meals, workshops and sharings and through our community book-making and cinema equipment. Our projects aim to address local and global social issues through long-term, imaginative and collaborative processes - youth and community participation, climate and environmental issues, Gaelic culture and local history are key focuses of the organisation.
We don't have formal voluntary roles in the organisation, we focus on collaborating with other organisations and community members through specific projects. We host boat-building cafes every Tuesday and Thursday as part of Malcolm Mackenzie's project, From Plockton to Portree. Community volunteers are building two rowing skiffs to eventually race across the water between the two Highland towns, everyone brings a different set of skills and we are constantly learning from each other.
Later this year we're also restoring ATLAS's alternative learning project, The School of Plural Futures. This is made up of a group of young people living in this area, learning and collaborating with friends and contributors. The school takes the form of a series of gatherings – a space to think and create responses to local and global challenges facing young people. We’ll be asking questions and learning together about social justice, the climate crisis and about what it means to live and work here today.
Befrienders Skye and Lochalsh
Befrienders Skye and Lochalsh is a volunteer befriending service available in Skye and Lochalsh run by Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations and supported by Highland Hospice Helping Hands, NHS Highland and Eilean a' Cheò Council Ward.
Volunteer Befrienders provide company and friendship tailored to an individual needs The amount of time and activities undertaken will vary as each person is different however, volunteers may:
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visit a person at home
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take short car trips/outings
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make regular telephone calls
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help with a hobby
https://www.befriendersskyeandlochalsh.com
The Community Food Bank Skye and Lochalsh
The Community Foodbank - Skye and Lochalsh is an independent voluntary organisation. The demand for food has increased over the years. We are run entirely by volunteers with each having a specific part to play.
Food is collected from several drop-off points in Skye and stored in a local church. We have collection points in Uig, Waternish, Staffin, our local Co-operative, and the health food shop in Portree. We collect food donations from local churches and other points in more outlying communities.
Crossroads Care Skye and Lochalsh
Crossroads provide support at home for people of all ages, including children, who have a disability or condition which means they need regular support. Where there is an unpaid carer in the home, we will endeavour to provide respite for them whenever tthey require it. The carers can be of any age, including young carers. We pride ourselves on always providing person-centred care. We provide care at the time it is most needed and we are very flexible when care arrangements need to be changed.
Our Charity Shop in Portree, which was opened in 1995, sells donated items - nearly new clothes, second hand books, bric-a-brac, cards, gifts and knitwear – and is staffed by volunteers. All profits from the shop are used to help us finance support at home for people in Skye & Lochalsh.
Highland Hospice
At Highland Hospice we aim to support people, their families and carers, living with an advancing, life shortening illness in the Highlands to live the best possible life and to prepare for and experience the best possible death.
Highland Hospice operates 15 shops across the region, including a combined shop and warehouse in Inverness where goods can be donated by the public. Like other shops our shop in Portree stocks a bit of everything and is a great place to find a bargain.
Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association
An Independent non-profit housing organisation to develop, manage and maintain housing for rent. Also offering the following services:
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The Handyperson Service: a free service aimed at helping people over the age of 65 and disabled people with minor repairs and tasks around the home.
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The Care and Repair Service: If you are disabled or aged over 65 they can help you with repairs, adaptations and improvements to your home.
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Energy Advice Service: A free service for all households in Lochalsh, Skye and Raasay. Email EnergyAdvice@lsha.co.uk
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Tenant Advice: Free to all LSHA tenants, the Tenant Adviser is available to provide advice and information on a wide range of topics such as benefits, personal budgeting, signposting and referrals to free advice agencies.
www.LSHA.co.uk Office: 01478612035, info@LSHA.co.uk
MySelf Management
MySelf-Management aims to raise awareness of the difficulties of living with lifelong chronic conditions, help people self-manage their conditions through training, education and fun; giving people the ability to control how they live their lives better and with confidence. Our Skye, Kyle & Lochalsh Community Networker provides support through our Peer Support (Living Better) Groups and events throughout the area. Bringing people together to help support each other.
https://www.myself-management.org
Portree and Braes Community Trust
Portree & Braes Community Trust aims to stimulate and coordinate the economic, cultural and environmental regeneration of Portree and Braes in response to community-identified priorities.
The Trust’s projects are coordinated by sub-groups of Trust members and directors. These sub-groups report to the Trust committee, which acts as an umbrella organisation, able to hold land and assets on behalf of the community. Portree & Braes Community Trust is capable of accessing funding and other sources of income not available to the local authority.
https://www.portreeandbraes.org
Radio Skye
Radio Skye is a small commercial radio station that broadcasts across Skye and Lochalsh and to an online audience nationally and internationally via a web stream through all the major radio apps. It has 24/7 transmission with a full programme including daily breakfast and drive time shows, a varied schedule including outside broadcasts of local events such a Hogmanay celebration, community meetings, political events, and sporting and music events. It is a key local service to the community, broadcasting locally relevant information throughout the day and is reactive to breaking news in the local area providing updates to the local community as and when it is needed.
SEALL
SEALL is one of Scotland’s leading rural performing arts promoters. Based on the Isle of Skye, we bring the magic of performance in music, theatre, dance, literature, comedy and children’s shows to remote rural venues across the Isles of Skye and Raasay. Since 1996, we have hosted over 2,000 performances via our year-round annual programme, the Fèis an Eilein (Skye Festival) in July and the Festival of Small Halls in November. Through our work, we celebrate Scotland’s performing arts and our Island culture with our audiences.
Skye Agricultural Show
Skye Events
Skye Events brings people together, delivers sustainable events, and promotes fitness and wellbeing for the benefit of both community and visitors to the beautiful Isle of Skye.
Our range of events are suitable for all, and profits are given back to community voluntary groups and charities via our Community Fund. We offer many one-off volunteering opportunities, you can check our website for more details.
https://www.skye-events.co.uk/
Skye and Lochalsh CAB
Skye & Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau is a local, independent charity which provides free, impartial and confidential advice and information to give you the tools you need to sort out any issues or problem. We’re at the heart of the community and offer several services, including: Benefits; Debt & Money; Housing; Family; Consumer etc
By choosing to volunteer with Skye & Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau you’ll be giving something truly valuable back to the community. As a charity, our volunteers are essential to allow us to deliver the important work we do. There are a broad range of volunteering roles available within Skye & Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau, so you can use your knowledge, skills and experience where it matters most. From adviser roles to behind-the-scenes support, we’ll let you choose where you think you’ll make the greatest impact.
Skye Stroke Friends
Skye Stroke Friends is a charity to support local people who have survived a stroke. we meet every Wednesday 1 - 3pm at Skeabost Memorial Hall. We are very fortunate to have 7 volunteers at Skye Stroke Friends but would love to see a similar Group formed for South Skye and Lochalsh and would be delighted to attend any meetings to try and get anyone interested to support Stroke survivors in that area.
https://www.facebook.com/Skyestrokefriends
Skye and Lochalsh Young Carers
Skye & Lochalsh Young Carers was established in 2000 to provide support to young carers from across the region.
We believe it is the right of every young carer to be recognised in their role and to have the same opportunities and life chances as other children and young people of a similar age.
Portree and Braes Community Council
https://www.facebook.com/PortreeBCC
Viewfield Garden Collective
Viewfield Garden Collective provides and promotes therapeutic gardening for vulnerable and disadvantaged adults in Skye and Lochalsh. They use horticulture, creative arts and the environment as a means to support and develop their volunteers. Established in 2006, their large kitchen garden is situated in the grounds of Viewfield House in Portree, Isle of Skye.
The garden has three cultivated terraces producing fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers, as well as two poly-tunnels and an outdoor seating area. They offer a variety of educational and training opportunities including the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society Grow and Learn Awards that focus on individualised learning for all. Volunteers can participate in a range of gardening activities such as flower and vegetable growing, bee-keeping, propagating seeds, soil management, composting, dry-stone walling and willow weaving. They also arrange trips to other garden projects, and organise regular workshops and open days.
https://www.viewfieldgardencollective.org