Crossroads Lewis awarded £20,000 to support vital carer services
Presentation of cheque for £20k by Muaitheabhal Trust to Crossroads Lewis
Muaitheabhal Community Trust Awards £20,000 Grant to Support Vital Carer Services in Pairc, Kinloch and North Lochs
Trust funding will enhance respite care services for unpaid carers in Kinloch, Pairc, and North Lochs
Muaitheabhal Community Trust is pleased to announce the award of a £20,000 grant to Crossroads Lewis, a vital organization providing essential respite care services to unpaid carers across the Isle of Lewis. This significant funding will specifically support families and carers living in the communities of Kinloch, Pairc, and North Lochs, helping to sustain and expand crucial support services in these areas.
The grant represents a major investment in community care infrastructure, enabling Crossroads Lewis to maintain current service levels while working to address the growing demand for support among unpaid carers in these remote communities. The funding comes at a critical time when many families are struggling to access the respite care services they desperately need.
Crossroads Lewis provides essential respite care services that give unpaid carers – often family members caring for loved ones with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or age-related conditions – the opportunity to take breaks from their caring responsibilities. These services are particularly vital in rural communities where access to support can be limited due to geographic isolation and resource constraints.
Lorna Morrison of Crossroads Lewis expressed her gratitude for the Trust's support: "We are incredibly grateful to the Muaitheabhal Community Trust for this funding, which recognises the vital role unpaid carers play in our communities. The grant will be used to help our service sustain the current level of respite within the area, ensuring that unpaid carers continue to have vital opportunities for rest and support. In addition, the funding will allow us to begin addressing the growing waiting list, reaching more families who urgently need support. This support from the trust is more than financial, it is a commitment to valuing unpaid carers and will make a real difference for families."
The Muaitheabhal Community Trust was established to support projects and initiatives that benefit local communities across the Isle of Lewis, with a particular focus on addressing the unique challenges faced by the rural and remote areas of Pairc, Kinloch, North Lochs and North Harris. This grant award reflects the Trust's commitment to supporting essential services that enhance quality of life for island residents.
Unpaid carers provide an estimated £193 billion worth of care annually across the UK, yet many receive little support in their caring roles. Services like those provided by Crossroads Lewis are essential in ensuring these dedicated individuals receive the breaks and support they need to maintain their own wellbeing while continuing to care for their loved ones.
The grant will enable Crossroads Lewis to expand its reach in the targeted communities of Kinloch, Pairc, and North Lochs, areas where geographic isolation can make accessing support services particularly challenging. By focusing resources on these communities, the funding will help ensure that rural carers have equitable access to vital respite services.