Significant improvement work has now been carried out at Stoneybridge Community Hall, turning it into a proper resilience centre for South Uist — all thanks to capital funding from NHS Western Isles.
The funding has paid for essential upgrades to make sure the hall can act as a safe, dependable hub during emergencies. A generator that was bought before COVID but never connected because of rising costs has finally been installed, meaning the building can stay fully powered during blackouts. The hall has also had some much‑needed accessibility improvements, including new threshold ramps and a designated disabled parking space, making it easier for people with reduced mobility to get in and out.
When storms hit or the power goes out for long stretches, Stoneybridge Hall will now be able to act as a central gathering point — a warm, safe place where people can come for hot food, shelter, and company for as long as they need. This will be especially important for older residents and those living alone, who often feel the impact of severe weather the most.
The upgraded hall will also support the work of NHS Western Isles and partner agencies — including Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, HM Coastguard, the Scottish Ambulance Service and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service — when they’re dealing with local emergencies.
The hall has already been playing an important role in the community through its winter warm hubs — the Sunday Social events — where people of all ages come together to enjoy soup, sandwiches and home baking provided by local volunteers. These gatherings are run in partnership with the local church, third‑sector groups through UCVO, and community volunteers, showing how much can be achieved when everyone pulls together.
Volunteer Isabell MacInnes welcomed the support from NHS Western Isles, saying the committee is grateful for the funding that made the upgrades possible. She added that the hall is a vital meeting place for the community, something clearly shown by the strong turnout at the Sunday Socials. She hopes these events will help people understand just how important the hall could be in an emergency.
