Macaulay College helps people to reach their potential by supporting them at the earliest possible stage; the students mostly come through Social Work and Education department referrals with education strategies developed for the students to achieve their full potential and reach person specific targets that aim to enrich their working and social life. We support people with additional support needs such as Autism, Down’s syndrome and mental health issues.

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On opening in 2010, with the original building funded by the NHS, Macaulay College had one staff member and just two students. Today it employs 14 people in full and part time positions and supports 25 students from across Lewis and Harris.

 

The Support Workers have wide and varied backgrounds and skills that they bring to their post including skilled trades, education, social work, community work, Gaelic, art and animal management.

 

Macaulay College currently has up to 25 students attending on a weekly basis. Students take part in a wide range of activities at the College, from product design, art, wood and metal work in our workshop (formally an agricultural barn), healthy eating, baking and cookery classes in our custom built kitchen and project spaces, maintaining and improving the college building and animal enclosures, through to animal care on the farm. As well as attending the college, many of our students are supported on a one-to-one programme following a plan designed specifically for them.

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Recently we have been featured in articles in the Stornoway Gazette (27.08.21) The Courier Newspaper/The Press and Journal (14.08.21) BBC Radio 4 recorded a whole programme on us on Farming Today (28.08.21) and on 9th September, BBC Scotland ‘My kind of town’ with Ian Hamilton and his guide dog Major filmed with us.