Work is now underway on the £750k Carloway Care Development Centre on the west side of Lewis.

The project will incorporate facilities for social, personal and health care, underpinning care in people’s own homes, including rehabilitation services, meal provision, leisure and social activities.

It will also include an outreach base for home support services, including home care, community nursing and meals.

Local Councillor Alex MacDonald said: “I am delighted that work on this exciting project is now underway. This will be a real asset to the community of Carloway and surrounding areas, providing a first rate facility for care of vulnerable people.”

It is intended that the Care Development Project will be a model for one stop shop public access to local services.

Director of Social Work Malcolm Smith said: “There is extensive evidence that good quality day care services, that provide mental stimulation, maintain activity and mobility of users, and provide a social base for older people and those with disabilities can contribute greatly to the maintenance of independent skills.

There will be an opportunity to include people with disabilities, who cannot necessarily access the more informal day club that presently operates, to be more fully engaged with their local community. In addition, schools and youth groups can also be encouraged to take part in support activities for the users of this service”.

The Carloway Centre is expected to be completed by December 2006.

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk