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North West - Highland and Western Isles
The North West region is divided into 6 areas comprising of
Our service delivery in this area is as diverse as the geography and varies in line with individual needs.
Currently there are weekly group facilities supporting those specifically with communication difficulties following stroke. There is a very unique outreach programme offering this service on a 1-2-1 basis covering the most remote areas of the Western Islands.
The team of locally based co-ordinators support trained volunteers with this, as well as offering a less structured service promoting social inclusion and building confidence.
The majority of referrals come through the speech and language therapists, however anybody can be referred via their doctor social worker or other allied health professional.
South Highland
Delivery here comprises of two main services based in
- Inverness
- Aviemore
A conversation focus is very much in evidence throughout although in addition we offer volunteer led activity days and a lunch club, thus promoting social interaction and independence.
Raigmore hospital in Inverness has a dedicated consultant led stroke unit with whom we work, providing a 1-2-1 service for those referred while still in the unit.
We follow this with an outreach service designed for the individual still supported by the Speech Therapist, ensuring a seamless transition from the very acute stage of their illness through to participating the services we have on offer in the community.
Mid Highland
This is a large area covered with two services in
- Dingwall
- Alness
Both these services offer a weekly group again with the emphasis on supporting the individual with any acquired communication difficulties.
The community hospital in Invergordon supports us through the local Speech Therapist based here. Once a month we have a drop in service where those having more difficulties get the chance to socalise with longer standing members in a less structured environment, with a planned programme of activities they have put together with the co-ordinator.
This loose structure with the safety net of trained volunteers equipped to support their conversation allows our members to build confidence and be included in activities they would otherwise find difficult.
North Highland
Services in Caithness are supported by a CHSS stroke nurse who works out of Caithness General Hospital. Two main services operate here in
- Thurso
- Halkirk
We follow the traditional model here with a weekly group with a very communication based focus. However a larger group also runs in conjunction with this allowing movement between the two for access to activity days thus embracing the services aims and objectives by providing offshoots with this loose /social structure.
Skye and Lochaber
There are 4 services operating in this area comprising of,
- Fort William
- Mallaig
- Broadford
- Portree
The two locally based co-ordinators covering this area are well supported by a team of trained volunteers. This offers a service which is mixed but is equipped to use strategies and tools to support conversation should we have referrals requiring this service.
The area is supported by two community hospitals in Broadford and Fort William . Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland also have a Stroke Nurse working from Fort Wiliam.
An affiliated stroke group is run from Kyle of Lochalsh, it is well attended and is supported by the Co-ordinator based in Skye.
Western Islands
A unique service operates on the islands covering,
- Lewis
- Harris
- Benbecula
- North/South Uist
A well established Harris based co-ordinator supported by trained volunteers provides an entirely 1-2-1 service. This service is very weather dependant over the winter months so where appropriate we are developing a telephone support system.
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