Communities invited to help shape £1 million Lewis Hub Local Fund

4 May 2026

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We are inviting local communities to help shape a new community benefit fund worth £1,060,000, linked to the delivery of the Lewis Hub project in the Western Isles.

The Lewis Hub Local Fund is being developed for communities closest to the project and will support local projects and initiatives that deliver lasting benefits for the area.

We are keen for local people to play a central role in shaping how the funding is used and will host three events giving residents and organisations the opportunity to share their views.

Communities living and working in the North Lochs, Stornoway and Laxdale community council areas are being encouraged to take part, particularly those located closest to the Lewis Hub project at Arnish Moor. We are also keen to hear from organisations that support communities in these areas.

Two in-person drop-in events will be held in May, as follows:

  • Monday 18 May, 3.30pm to 7pm, Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway
  • Tuesday 19 May, 3pm to 7pm, North Lochs Community Centre

Our colleagues will deliver short presentations on the fund at 4pm and 6pm at both events, although attendees are welcome to drop in at any time. Refreshments will be available.

An additional online session will take place on Monday 25 May, from 2pm to 3.30pm. Register for the online webinar. 

For those unable to attend any of the events, an online survey will be available from 18 May, allowing people to learn more about the fund and share their views as to how the money should be used. Anyone wishing to take part in the survey should email our Community Investment Team at community.benefit@sse.com.

The fund will become available later this year, once development of the Lewis Hub gets underway and after feedback from local communities has been used to set funding priorities.

Linsay Chalmers is our Community Investment Manager responsible for overseeing the fund. She said:

“The Lewis Hub Local Fund will deliver more than a million pounds for projects and initiatives that support local communities, but what really matters to us is that local people play a central role in shaping how that funding is used.

That is why we are holding a series of events to give communities a real say in where the money goes, supporting projects that not only make a difference today but continue to benefit the Western Isles for generations to come.

Through the Lewis Hub project, SSEN Transmission is committed to supporting long-term social and economic growth in the Western Isles and leaving a meaningful, lasting legacy for local communities.  The Lewis Hub Local Fund is a key part of that legacy, and builds on recent awards made through our separate Regional Community Benefit Fund, where projects in the Western Isles benefited from over £875,000 for local projects.

We encourage local people to get involved in our upcoming events and help shape how the funding is used.”

Further information about the Lewis Hub Local Fund, including how to get involved, can be found on the Lewis Hub Local Fund webpage.