Who it helps

Background

The Western Isles Lifestyle Lottery was born out of the recognition that, like many other places in Britain, there was a cash injection required to upgrade and improve, not only the presentation of the Islands for the increasing tourist trade, but also the year round lifestyle for, approximately, 28,000 Island residents.

Significant planning for improving the Islands has been carried out by our Local Authority - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Regeneration Masterplan - designed to improve the economy of the Islands on a long term basis.

In addition, Stornoway Port Authority have released news of their own "ambitious" planning which would radically alter the presentation of the town for the better.

Despite our Islands now enjoying a multi-cultural population, it is a sad fact that the overall population is in decline. There are continuous observations posted on social-media of a “dying town” and, as in many other areas, social media itself has attributed to the decline in the level of socialising within town centres and small communities. It is another fact that government funding cuts have, and will continue to, negatively impact on the resources available to our Local Authority for anything other than priority needs – Education, Social Work, Roads & Transport, Housing etc.

So how can the people of the Western Isles, collectively and inclusively of all cultures, help ourselves and at the same time be the front runners in being pro-active within our own community?