Volunteers bring a little friendship to islanders

A befriending service has been launched to tackle Covid-19 isolation.

People shielding and self-isolating have not had proper contact with their family and friends for weeks, increasing the risk of mental illness.

Now people in the Western Isles can benefit from a phone befriending service launched by the Point and Sandwick Trust.

There are 12 befrienders, including four directors of Point and Sandwick Trust – chairman Norman Mackenzie and board members Rhoda Mackenzie, Sonja Macleod and Catherine Anne Smith – and some local volunteers.

The project is being delivered with Point and Sandwick Community Council.

Donald John MacSween, generalmanagerofthe trust, said: “Although

we live in a close-knit community we are aware that some people are very lonely and isolated, not just during the current pandemic but also throughout the rest of the year because of poor health, age, social circumstances, lack of transport, family on the mainland and a host of other reasons.

“The aim of the project is to develop a light-touch befriending service to try to alleviate those issues of isolation and loneliness.”

Meanwhile the Scottish Recovery Network (SRN) has relaunched a

multilingual project called Highland Hello, designed to help people recognise that simple gestures can help people feel more connected.

Holly Hendry from SRN said: “We often live in communities where we don’t necessarily know our neighbours, we don’t necessarily live around our family or support networks.

“The hope is to bring a small bit of the outside world in, sharing hope through these uncertain times we are all experiencing.”

The Point and Sandwick Trust volunteers