Wind farm cash vital to future of rehab project
A residential recovery programme for islanders with addiction would quickly become ‘unsustainable’ without the grant support it receives from community wind farm charity Point and Sandwick Trust, its manager has revealed.
The Hebrides Alpha Project received £15,000 from the trust last month – the latest instalment in a total of £45,000 since last year.
Shona MacLeod, Hebrides Alpha Project manager, said those involved with the project were ‘so grateful’ for the support from the trust, which goes towards basic running costs. It pays salaries and other administrative costs including travel.
It also amounts to nearly half the money Hebrides Alpha has to raise each year, just to keep the project going.
The money comes out of the profits from Point and Sandwick Trust’s three turbine, community-owned wind farm. Every penny raised goes back to the community to support good causes.
Point and Sandwick Trust has committed £30,000 a year to the Hebrides Alpha Project – one of its biggest commitments after Bethesda Care Home and Hospice, which gets £55,000 a year.
Speaking at Hebrides Alpha’s residential unit in Upper Coll, Ms MacLeod said the funding had made ‘a massive difference’ to the project.
‘It has kept us able to sustain the project. Without it, we would be going further and further into debt and the project would soon become unsustainable financially.’
She added: ‘What I really like about Point and Sandwick Trust is that it’s supporting local charities. Bethesda and ourselves have been set up to help local people. We don’t take referrals from the mainland so it’s very much local charities supporting local people and we appreciate the help from Point and Sandwick so much. It’s a contribution to the well being of individuals in the local community.’
The Hebrides Alpha Project charity has been running since 2006. The residential unit opened in 2011 and incorporates an in-house recovery programme for up to six people with serious addiction.
It has a subsidiary business, Hebrides Alpha Trading, which offers window cleaning, power washing and other services to the public, providing employment to people taking part in the rehab project.
However, the trading arm does not contribute significant income, so the majority of finance has to be sought elsewhere.
‘Hebrides Alpha Trading offers a valuable opportunity for people with addictions in terms of therapeutic employment and is an essential part of recovery,’ said Ms MacLeod.
People taking part in the project are required to spend two days a week in employment, as well as attending a community self-help group.
Point and Sandwick Trust general manager Donald John MacSween said Hebrides Alpha was a key project, identified in the charity’s community development plan.
‘The Western Isles has one of the highest incidents of alcohol and drug use in the UK and Hebrides Alpha is providing a much-needed rehabilitation service, available locally for the first time,’ he said.
Ms MacLeod said the project had seen a mix of experiences this year and last – which was usual.
‘The best experience for us is to see residents benefiting from and enjoying the programme, remaining motivated to pick up their lives and abstaining from alcohol and drugs.
‘This brings us much joy,’ she said.