ACTION FOR CHILDREN | OUTER HEBRIDES ALCOHOL & DRUGS PARTNERSHIP 💙

At HebCelt, creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive festival environment is just as important as the music on stage. That’s why we’re incredibly grateful for the support of Action for Children (Eilean Siar) and the Outer Hebrides Alcohol & Drug Partnership (OHADP), who provide our Safe Space Welfare Tent throughout the festival.

The Safe Space is exactly that, a safe, non-judgemental and supportive place where festivalgoers can access help when they need it. Whether someone needs a quiet place away from the crowds, emotional or mental health support, somewhere to go if they feel unsafe, support with neurodiversity, or simply a warm and comfortable space to recover, the team are there.

The fantastic team provide a wide range of practical support, including welfare supplies, first aid essentials, sanitary products, condoms, pregnancy tests, ear plugs, ponchos and snacks, alongside tea, coffee and water.

Importantly, the Safe Space also provides specialist support for anyone who may have overindulged in alcohol or substances. Their experienced practitioners can provide harm reduction advice, reassurance and appropriate care, helping to keep people safe while reducing pressure on emergency services.

The team also plays a vital safeguarding role, working closely with security, medical teams, Police Scotland, ambulance services and the HebCelt team to respond appropriately to concerns and ensure people get the support they need.

And their support doesn’t stop at the tent. Action for Children volunteers also provide streetwork across Stornoway, including the town, Castle Grounds and harbour areas, offering non-judgemental harm reduction support to young people and others who may need it.

What makes this partnership particularly valuable is the incredible local knowledge and expertise the Action for Children team bring. They already provide alcohol and substance support across the Outer Hebrides, emotional wellbeing and mental health services in secondary schools, and specialist support for children, young people and families.

The Safe Space team brings together a wealth of experience from across the NHS and Third Sector, including social workers, advocacy workers, nurses and mental health practitioners.

We’re hugely grateful to everyone involved for the care, compassion and expertise they bring to HebCelt. Their presence helps ensure that our festival is not only a place to enjoy great music and make memories, but a place where people know that support is there when they need it. 💙

Thank you to the whole Action for Children and ADP team for being such an important part of HebCelt! 🙌

Find out More: Action for Children | Outer Hebrides Alcohol & Drugs Partnership

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