Residents Return After Refurbishment

Strathburn House, the resource centre for older people in Gairloch, was officially reopened on Friday 13th July following a £316,000 refurbishment. This is the fifth Highland run care home to be refurbished under the Council’s programme of improvements at a total cost of £1,863,000.

The ten residents were delighted to be able to return to the building which has seen a redecoration, renewal of the carpets and other improvements to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and fire regulations. 

Residents were cared for in various different locations during the refurbishment.
 
The official opening was attended by more than 50 people including the Chairman of the Housing and Social Work Committee Councillor Margaret Davidson and Vice Chair Councillor Liz MacDonald as well as Director of Social Work, Harriet Dempster and local councillors Richard Greene and Isobel Campbell.

Entertainment was provided by local schoolchildren, including brothers Callum and Kenny MacKenzie on accordion and Carol Miller, clarsach.

Manager of Strathburn House, Jackie Hodges, welcomed visitors and spoke of the high level of commitment from staff during the refurbishment. Nita Whitfield and Annie MacKenzie, both residents, spoke of their admiration for staff and the high level of commitment shown to all the residents.

Councillor Margaret Davidson presented staff with a bouquet of flowers to say thank you for their efforts.  The refurbishment was carried out on time and to budget. 

The official ceremony drew to a close when resident Sammy Stewart presented flowers to his temporary key worker, Libby Hay, a social care worker from Duthac House, Tain, and thanked her for the care he received there.