‘Living with a neurological condition is like joining an exclusive club with lifetime membership’.

Donnie, Co-founder

About Us

Our purpose: To support people living with neurological and their carers in the Western Isles by promoting positive health and wellbeing .

Neuro Hebrides was founded and is run by people who have lived experience of either having a neurological condition or supporting someone who has one. Neuro Hebrides provides a community for shared experience and understanding for those living with or caring for someone with a neurological condition in the Western Isles.

It is a positive, ‘can do’ organisation that whilst accepting the challenges its members may face, encourages all members to make the most of the opportunities available to them and live their best possible life whilst managing their condition.

We have a team of committed trustees and volunteers whose commitment helped to create Neuro Hebrides and who deliver its activities.

Our trustees

Iain Macaulay

I was brought up in the crofting village of Sollas on North Uist and am married with two children and grandfather of two girls.

Now living in Upper Coll village on Lewis, I retired after a career in social work having worked for Strathclyde Regional Council, Church of Scotland Board of Social Responsibility and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

It’s great to have the time to contribute to our communities by supporting a number of voluntary organisations I have always admired and appreciated. Especially those providing much needed support and guidance to individuals and families affected by ill health and disability.

Iain Macleod

I am Area Commander with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, responsible for the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland.

I live in Lochs in Lewis with my wife and three children, where I also coach the local youth football teams. I have first hand knowledge of the devastating effect of neurological conditions - my father, from North Tolsta, was stricken by Motor Neurone Disease at a young age and this drives a lifelong interest in ensuring sufferers are supported appropriately as well as research is funded to find solutions to neurological conditions.

Anne Finlayson

My name is Anne Finlayson. I am originally from North Tolsta. I’m a GP, and I have been working in Lewis for the last 15 years.

I am also a mum to two energetic boys. I’ve been involved with Neuro Hebrides as a trustee for the last few years. I hope that my professional experience brings something to the group, but more importantly, my experience of supporting a loved one living with a degenerative neurological condition for many years gives me some kind of insight into the challenges that life can hold if you are “differently abled.”

My dad was involved with disability support groups locally over many years, among them DDA and WICUSN. If I can bring even a tiny fraction of his enthusiasm to Neuro Hebrides, I feel we can make a difference.

Kate Mawby

My working life has been around promoting and facilitating further and higher education, including working to ensure that students with health conditions have the right support to to enable them to demonstrate their full academic ability.

Ironically I myself had a neurological episode in 2015 and have since received a diagnosis, so have lived experience of going through the diagnostic process and living with a long term condition.

I believe passionately in the right of people to experience the best health care and support available and see Neuro Hebrides as a place to provide information about the myriad of possible support from Warm Homes to patient travel, as well as a forum to share experiences and to reduce isolation. My experience lies in marketing, administration and finance.

Alex Murray

I have run a successful local construction business since 1990 and is a key employer of skilled tradespeople on Lewis, also encouraging the next generation of talent by taking on apprentices in Joinery and construction.

My involvement in Neuro Hebrides results from seeing first hand the effects of a neurological condition on a friend and I wanted to help enable the charity to provide that essential support to those affected.

We also have a Co-ordinating Group who plan and deliver the activities of Neuro Hebrides.

What we do

We offer a friendly non-judgemental community where people can have ups and downs, frustration and victories and can share them in a supportive, caring environment. Having a neurological condition can be isolating and our mission is to help reduce that.

We offer regular opportunities to meet with others and to take part in a range of activities tailored for those living with a neurological condition.

We regularly offer programmes of massage therapy and counselling for our members to enable them to access crucial therapies and treatments which are no longer accessible through primary health care.

We campaign on behalf of our members on a range of issues which affect them and have a voice on groups like Patient Panel and the Neurological Managed Clinical Network for the NHS.

We work in partnership with other charities and organisations to help to improve the care provision for people living with neurological conditions in the Western Isles. We work closely with NHS Primary care providers and Health Improvement Scotland.

Neuro Hebrides are members of numerous organisations to ensure that we can represent our members not only concerning matters specific to the Outer Hebrides, but also to Scotland wide issues which ultimately affect the care and support people with neurological conditions in the Outer Hebrides receive.

Neuro Hebrides are active members of the Neurological Alliance of Scotland, The Alliance, The Digital Citizen Panel, SCVO and Climate Hebrides.

We also are in regular contact with NHS Primary care providers and Health Improvement Scotland.

Please see the membership section for more information and details of how to join.

If you would like more information about Neuro Hebrides, please do not hesitate to contact us using the form below.

About Us

Our trustees

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