The Outer Hebrides Anti-Poverty Strategy (OHAPS) is currently being finalised and when completed, will be submitted to the Scottish Government for final approval.

Motivated by a statutory requirement to submit an annual Child Poverty Report, the OHAPS was developed after a GAP analysis and workshop involving community planning partners, reviewed existing work and identified additional service needs. It was then agreed that the OHAPS would be developed with the Child Poverty Report information incorporated into the wider strategy document.

In addition, in response to demand, further Poverty Awareness workshops are being organised. Course participants can expect to increase their knowledge and understanding of the relationship between poverty and inequality and how poverty impacts on individuals’ lives. This in turn, will enable course participants to identify ways in which they can provide a more effective service to those who experience poverty.

Health Literacy training for staff continues to be run in partnership with The Learning Shop, offering participants the opportunity to identify what they can do to improve the health literacy of those using their services, whilst increasing their own knowledge on the subject and understanding its relevance to their role and their organisation. This is particularly important as more often, staff are communicating with an increased diverse mix of people from a range of cultures and abilities.

Mary MacLean, Fas Fallain Manager, said “We continue to work closely with The Learning Shop, hosting a variety of social events focusing on integration and the sharing of cultural information.

“These events follow the success of the annual Accreditation Ceremony, run in partnership with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, attracting over 100 people from approximately 14 different cultures. The social events are themed around food, dress and music and encourage facilitated integration and engagement by identifying any health needs within communities and gaps in services.”

All events are community-led using community development methodology, apparent in two recently established projects within the Cearns and Kinloch areas. Both projects received European funding towards the employment of Community Development Workers who are based within their respective communities, with Fas Fallain heavily involved and providing support.

For further information please contact Mary MacLean, Fas Fallain Manager, tel. 01851 762017 or email marymaclean1@nhs.net