Cobhair Bharraigh

© Siar Media 2012

Scottish Charity Number: SC032278   Cobhair Bharraigh is a charitable organisation set up to provide a home-based support service and day care centre for the people of Barra and Vatersay. Our care support service enables carers to have a short break and helps them to look after ill and frail family members within their own home for as long as such care is feasible.     Day-Care   The Day Care Centre is welcoming, comfortable and homely, designed to meet the needs of Cobhair Bharraigh service users. We presently offer four session of Day Care each week to sufferers of Dementia, Alzheimers and the frail and elderly. Each session runs from 10.30am—3pm enabling carers to have some much needed extra time to themselves, and maintain their social and economic roles within the community. A nutritious meal, which is freshly prepared on the premises, is provided each day. Service Users have the opportunity to get involved in meal preparation and we provide a wide and varied range of Day Care activities at each session. As Gaelic is the preferred language of many of our service users, we have both Gaelic and English speaking staff to ensure that the communication needs of all service users are met.   Home Support for Carers   The Cobhair Bharraigh Home Support is an ongoing service, allowing carers to have a regular break and is provided according to needs. Home Support is available to carers who may be looking after a person of any age with mental health problems, serious physical illness or other special needs. This service is free of charge whilst within the home, but any costs incurred by outings (car runs, lunch outings) are charged to the client/carer.   Holiday Respite Service   This is an additional service funded separately by the Social Work Department. It enables carers to take a longer break i.e. holidays, and is also available to provide cover in the event of crisis or emergency within the home. Cobhair Bharraigh also undertakes contract work for CNES Social Work Department and Western Isles Health Board in providing longer periods of care, and a night sitting service for the terminally ill. There is no charge for this service providing funding can be secured from Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar or the Health Board.   Recent Developments: Extension to Daycare Centre   Over the last two years, we have gradually, but significantly been developing our community-owned facility in order to provide the following: ·  Extended premises to create an additional two daycare rooms. ·  A utility room and a storage area for wheelchairs and walking aids. ·  Disabled toilet facilities and provision of a static hoist in the bathroom. ·  Facilities which improve working conditions for staff including: staff toilet, additional task lighting in the     kitchen area, and additional office / meeting space.   Garden We have created an accessible, carefully planned garden designed specifically for the needs of our clients. Beechgrove Gardens came to Barra, and helped plan and create our community garden with raised flower beds, a circular path, a summer house, and benches and seats for resting. It is a beautiful place to walk, rest and reminisce.     Aims and Objectives   • To relieve stress on the persons or families caring for the elderly or people with physical, mental or sensory impairment. • To care in appropriate circumstances for the elderly or people with physical, mental or sensory impairment who are living alone. • To enable people, if they so wish, to remain in their own home as long as possible. • To provide information and support to all carers about any issues affecting them. • To provide additional support for those in crisis, their carers and dependants. • To raise awareness about all aspects of Dementia. • To provide support for people with dementia and those who care for them. • To provide specialised day-care for people with dementia. • To look forward to increasing day-care services to meet the needs of the elderly and vulnerable in the community. • To seek to identify those in the community who might benefit from our services. • To liase with other agencies in the provision of care for all service users. • To continue to provide a person centred care focusing on each individual client needs.   Contact Details: Cobhair Bharraigh Kentangaval Castlebay Isle of Barra HS9 5XL   Tel: 01871 810906 E-mail: cobhairbharraigh@btconnect.com         In partnership with Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia and affiliated to Crossroads