Caring in Christ's Name: Lewis Street Project

Wednesday October 12 2016

The third in our series for CrossReach Week focuses on a project supporting people with mental health problems and learning disabilities on the Isle of Lewis

“Lewis Street was set up in December 1994,” says Christine Macmillan, relief support worker at the island project.

“We support people with mental health issues and some with learning disabilities.

“Our aim is to help support them to manage their own tenancies so that they will be better equipped to move on to their own property or tenancy. We offer a varied support geared to the individual needs.

“That can include developing skills in budgeting, helping them learn to cook and about nutrition, cleaning and doing the laundry and we help them socialise outside the project. We encourage tenants to become involved in evening classes, community groups, go to the cinema or visit exhibitions in the local arts centre.

“We have two part time members of staff, including Calum MacKay the manager, and two relief workers. We don’t have any volunteers.

“Our clients face stigmatisation and loneliness, isolation. We help them develop the skills they need to make friends and take part in new hobbies, tasks and employment. The training we’ve had from CrossReach has been second to none, because it’s essential we are able to deal with, and feel confident in, any situation that might arise. And we do.

“It’s not a one-way street though,” she says. “We often say that we learn something new from the clients every day. It helps us to be mindful of our service users’ needs.”

More information on the Lewis Street Project

This week is CrossReach Week, when the Church of Scotland celebrates the work of its social care arm. Throughout the week, we will profile a cross-section of CrossReach projects.
Polmont Prison Family Bus
The Rankeillor Initiative

These articles first appeared in October's Life and Work. Subscribe here