Western Isles Council holds off on advocacy funding cut

A threatened support service for adults with learning needs has gained a stay of execution after a placard-carrying protest by a group of vulnerable people in the Western Isles.

The local area co-ordinators (LAC) with the Advocacy Western Isles service were due to be axed after the islands council proposed slashing its funding, resulting in 100 people with learning disabilities losing out.

Yesterday, about 30 staged a demonstration in bitter weather as councillors and health representatives arrived for a crucial meeting. Later, the islands’ joint services committee agreed to hold off to see if a compromise could be found and the scheme will continue to run until June.

The full council is expected to ratify the temporary U-turn tonight.

Advocacy co-ordinator Kathryn Logan told the forum that the service was good value for money, but it would strive to undertake volunteer funding to cover £10,000 of cuts.

Councillors suggested looking to the Western Isles Health Board for money to keep it going.

Councillor Charlie Nicolson received a round of applause from the public at the meeting when he said: “I am happy to take a cut in my own wage to safeguard this service.”

The advocacy premises in the Bridge Centre at Stornoway acts as a drop-in where users get help to achieve things for themselves that able-bodied people take for granted, like getting a bus pass or organising a night out.

Earlier, one parent affected, Morag Smith, warned that absorbing the service into the council’s social work department would have a negative result. She added: “We were really struggling for facilities and activities until Advocacy was set up. It been a huge benefit, providing added life skills in social behaviour – we would miss it terribly.”

User Catherine Mackenzie, 44, who has supported employment at a chocolate factory, said it was a further blow after losing a transport service, assistance for holidays and a jobs’ scheme.

She said: “I don’t know what I would do without it.”

Another user, Helen Macleod, 56, said: “I don’t want to lose my support worker. I want to keep Advocacy together.”