Over 1100 participants in this year's Sunnd health & wellbeing programme

Our health & wellbeing initiative, Sunnd, attracted over 1100 participants throughout its three-month winter programme this year.

Sunnd, meaning joy in Gaelic, is our three-month programme of health and wellbeing activities, which was established in a bid to increase opportunities for local people to look after their health and wellbeing, ensuring a high quality of life, during the winter months.  

The initiative began in the spring of 2018 as a pilot scheme for individuals over the age of 60 in partnership with the local ‘Young at Heart’ club.  It has since opened up to all members of the community, and this year there were participants from age two to 90 years old, with all sessions included in the Sunnd programme subsidised by UOG, making them accessible for all.

This year’s Sunnd programme, which ran from 8th January to 30th March 2024, featured a variety of health & fitness, arts and culture, and advice sessions, including salsa dancing, strength training, cookery demos with Allan MacRitchie and James Mackenzie, flower arranging with Maybury Gardens, printmaking and book binding, ceilidhs, money tips for young people, infant first aid training and lots more.

Jemma MacVicar, Executive Manager, Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn, commented: “137 events took place throughout our Sunnd programme and we’re delighted that people from the local community, of all ages and abilities, were able to participate in something over the last three months. We understand that, due to financial or health reasons, many people aren’t always able to attend events, so it is important to us at Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn that we are able to provide these accessible opportunities for all.

“We are grateful to all our partners who make Sunnd possible, including Spòrsnis, NHS Eileanan Siar, Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, An Lanntair, Ness FC Social Club, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Taigh Dhonnchaidh, Alzheimer Scotland, Citizens Advice Bureau, Long Term Condition Hebrides, Tighean Innse Gall, Young at Heart, Stress Monkey Solutions, Barvas and Brue Community Centre and Clan MacQuarrie Community Centre.”