Hebrides Alpha

17/12/2022

Hebrides Alpha will be closing the doors at the Old Casting Shed for good on Friday 23rd December, after 15 years of serving the community.

We have a few Harris Tweed clocks available for £60 inc vat. They come in a presentation box - 35cm x 21cm.

Only available from our yard on Rigs Road.

Best to phone ahead to make sure I am in, as I’ve got quite a bit to do before finishing off.

0777 071 4987

08/09/2022

Hebrides Alpha Trading is closing down

Hebrides Alpha Trading, which has been operating in Stornoway and throughout Lewis for the past 15 years will be closing down by the end of 2022. This does not affect the Hebrides Alpha Project supported accommodation unit in Coll, a company statement explains.

The original model for the Christian social enterprise was that it would provide therapeutic employment to individuals with alcohol and other drug related issues.

By participating in the project, service users would have a structure to their week, learn new skills, participate in certificated training, work as part of a team, gain in self confidence and ultimately be more prepared to move on to future employment or further education.

Hebrides Alpha Trading has supported over 130 individuals since it began but for the last couple of years it has been very difficult to attract new service users. The social enterprise has never been busier, but without the service users it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet demand. Without service users there is sadly no point in carrying on as a therapeutic employment provider.

Robert Sinclair, Project Manager said ‘It has been a tremendous privilege for the past 15 years to work in this sector and to provide support to many people who find themselves in a difficult situation due to substance misuse. Unfortunately, the individuals that we are seeking to support are no longer interested in getting involved. It is not sustainable to carry on like this and the Board of Directors have agreed that closing down in a systematic and logical manner is the wisest thing to do. It was a very hard decision to come to and it will be a sad day when we close the doors on the business for the last time.”

Lorraine Graham, Chair of the Board, commented “We, as a Board, cannot express enough gratitude to Robert for his 15 years of exemplary service. He has devoted himself to Hebrides Alpha with the same absolute commitment he would have afforded to it were it his own business. However, he, or anyone else, cannot be expected to continue to work 60-plus hours per week indefinitely in order to fill the gaps created by the lack of service users. We have therefore prayerfully concluded, albeit with heavy hearts, that, while the project’s usefulness is unquestionable, its principal purpose for existing has come to an end.”

As a social enterprise, Hebrides Alpha Trading has been self-financing for a number of years but a contract that was worth £40,000/year had to be given up recently as there were insufficient resources in terms of people to fulfil it. Hebrides Alpha have built up a very successful business including a really busy window cleaning business (with over 300 regular customers), power washing, gutter cleaning and cardboard recycling for local businesses. The current sales turnover is £220,000 per year and running costs are in the region of £190,000 per year with any profits passed on to Hebrides Alpha Project. They will not be taking on any new customers and will be contacting all of their regular customers over the next few weeks to let them know that they will be ceasing all activity in the near future. They will keep on providing a cardboard collections service to local businesses (who very much rely on the service) for a period of time until they can find someone else to take it on.

As well as the jobs above, Hebrides Alpha provided a wide range of services in the local community including cleaning the shore line from Cuddy Point to Lower Sandwick for two hours every week, putting up the bunting around the town every year, doing house clearances for local solicitors when a house was being sold and it had to be emptied prior to sale, providing clothing banks around the island, and sending more than 30 tonnes of clothes to Blythswood every year. They also made unique Harris Tweed clocks which were sold all over the world with famous recipients being Her Majesty The Queen and Donald Trump. There are still quite a few clocks in the yard which will be sold off in the next couple of months.

Company vehicles, plant and machinery will all be sold off at the appropriate time and all proceeds of the sale of assets and the money in the bank will be transferred to Hebrides Alpha Project (the parent charity), who run the supported accommodation facility in Coll.

The Chair of Hebrides Alpha Project Board, Tommy MacNeil, stated in response to the sad news concerning the trading company, “We would like to put on record our sincere thanks to the Board of Hebrides Alpha Trading for the manner in which they have supported the work of HAP over the last fifteen years. We as a Board would also like to state our sincere and heartfelt thanks to Robert Sinclair for his tireless and unending commitment to the work of Hebrides Alpha Trading. We are keenly aware that the success of the Trading company was due in the main to Robert’s commitment to the work. We know he engaged in the work with a sense of call, and we give thanks to God for the heart commitment he exemplified for those in our community whose lives are affected by their struggles with alcohol and drug related issues. We also give thanks for the heart and life of every individual that has been supported by the work of Hebrides Alpha Trading. We assure Robert, staff, the HAT Board, service users, and all affected by this decision of our ongoing prayerful support.”

The original vision for Hebrides Alpha Project and Hebrides Alpha Trading came from Shona Macleod back in 2006. There have been a lot of success stories in that time which is down to the dedication and support of all past and current Board members and staff.

All the staff, service users and the Board of Directors would like to express their sincere and humble thanks to all of their customers who have supported them as a project over the past 15 years, and to the ADP NHS Western Isles and all the other local businesses and agencies who they state they have had the privilege of working with.

If you or anyone you know are struggling with issues around alcohol or drugs and you would like to enquire about the supported accommodation aspect of the work through Hebrides Alpha Project, please contact them on 01851 820830 or at manager@hebridesalpha.co.uk. All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.

19/08/2022

Works Supervisor at Hebrides Alpha Trading

Salary £26,000 (rising to £27k after successful completion of 12 week probationary period)

Hours of work are Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.30pm

Working with and supervising our service users, delivering a range of services in the local community including window cleaning, power washing, gutter cleaning, emptying clothing banks and cardboard recycling.


The successful applicant will;

Be reliable, enthusiastic, be a good team player and have a positive attitude;

Have a desire to work with individuals who have experienced alcohol and other drug misuse problems;

Have good problem solving skills in order to fix/repair equipment while out on the job;

Be able to work confidently off a ladder and cherry picker (training will be provided);

Be able and willing to undertake training with a fork lift, cherry picker and trailer;

Be required to register with the PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) scheme;

Have good knowledge of streets in and around Stornoway and villages around Lewis;

Have a full UK car driving licence and be confident driving vans up to 3500kg, including LWB Luton.


Hebrides Alpha has its roots in the Christian faith and was set up by a group of people who believe that Christians are called to get seriously involved in our society, especially supporting those in need.

Since we started in 2007, putting our faith into practice has always been one of our major motivating factors.

Many people seek to make a positive contribution to our society without being motivated by faith and we would not wish to exclude them from working with us.

However, it is important that people who want to work with us in any capacity, understand who we are and are willing to respect and fit in with the way we work.

If you are interested in applying for this post, please send your CV and covering letter (outlining why you are suited to this post to) info@hebridesalpha.co.uk or post to

Robert Sinclair
Project Manager
Hebrides Alpha Trading
Old Casting Shed
Rigs Road
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2RF

Closing date: Monday 29th August 2022

14/01/2022

Volunteering opportunities for individuals with substance misuse issues, or who are in recovery.

Here at Hebrides Alpha Trading, things have been very busy over the past few months, as we have built up a successful social enterprise where we provide therapeutic employment to individuals in the local community who are struggling with substance misuse issues.

We’re currently looking for some more service users to join our team.

You would work with us for 2 days per week (16 hours) but if you can only manage 1 day, that would be fine. We provide lunch (and bus fares where required).

We deliver a range of jobs in the local community including window cleaning, power washing, gutter cleaning, cardboard recycling and servicing clothing banks around the island, as well as a few other contracts we have with local businesses and organisations.

The main criteria for getting involved is being aged 18 – 65 years, have an issue with substance misuse (or are in recovery) and are physically able to do the jobs listed above.

Participation in the therapeutic employment brings many benefits to our service users including an increase in confidence and self esteem, being part of a team, gaining relevant certificated training, having a structure to their week, work with like minded people who have empathy for their situation and who are all very supportive plus getting an up-to-date employment reference.

We take referrals from all routes including family members or self referral.

If you would like to get involved or would like more information, please get in touch.

19/04/2020

Excellent fundraiser organised by Sandwick Bay candles to support the amazing work of Bethesda Hospice

We have donated a Harris Tweed clock to this very worthwhile cause.

27/03/2020

Due to the current situation with the coronavirus, Heb Alpha has ceased all window cleaning, power washing and gutter cleaning since last week. Our service users stopped coming to work on Tuesday 17th March. We are keeping in touch with them every few days to ensure that they are doing ok and to provide support where needed.

The 3 full time staff continue to wash the Tesco vans (inside and out) once a week, so that the delivery vans can deliver food all over the island and we continue to uplift waste cardboard from a number of food outlets so that they can continue to supply food to local shops.

We will be in touch with our regular window cleaning customers in the next few days to let them know that we will re-schedule once this is all over and to let them know that they can suspend their direct debits for the time being.

Could I ask that the clothing banks which we have around the island are NOT used at the moment as we are not emptying them. And please, when you do use them in the future, please do not put in any quilts, pillows or cushions. We emptied one bank last week and someone had put in 10 quilts and 12 pillows which we then had to dispose of.

I’m working from home at the moment trying to get my head around funding options so that we still have a business at the end of all this and I’m trying to get everything sorted for the end of financial year on 31st March. The only reason we are in business is to help individuals with alcohol and other drug addiction problems to get back to work, learn new skills, give them a structure to their day, gain in confidence and self esteem and to gain employment related qualifications.

www.wearewithyou.org.uk/ - Free confidential support to people experiencing issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health (online and telephone service)

www.knowthescore.info/

On behalf of us all at Heb Alpha, may we say a massive THANK YOU to all of the NHS staff, care workers, cooks, cleaners, couriers, post office staff, emergency services, shop workers, bakers, butchers and all the staff at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and everyone else who is doing essential work in the community. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

If anyone needs to contact us phone the mobile on 0777 071 4987

Take care, stay safe and stay at home

13/02/2020

Stuck for a Valentines gift? Look no further.

We've got some desks and pedestals for sale at very reasonable prices

1600mm x 1200mm desks £60

1600mm x 1600mm desks £72

3 drawer pedestals £30

Phone 0777 071 4987 or email info@hebridesalpha.co.uk

You might want to buy a bunch of flowers and a card too!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

07/01/2020

Happy new year to you all and all the best for twenty twenty.

A bit of blustery start to the new year, but nothing we're not used to - but we won't be getting bitten by any midges today and we won't be getting sun burnt ;)

We're taking bookings for window cleaning, gutter cleaning and power washing

We also collect cardboard from local businesses.

We have a 12 metre cherry picker for hire (with trained staff)

And we make beautiful, unique clocks out of recycled pallets and Harris Tweed

We also still have quite a few office desks and pedestals for sale

We are fully covered with £10M Public Liability insurance, £5M Employers Liability insurance, we have Risk Assessments and Method Statements for all the jobs we do.

And the whole reason that we are in business is to provide support to individuals who have an addiction to alcohol (or other drugs) - they come in to us for 2 or 3 days a week and get involved in all of the above jobs - and they go home proud and tired and have a story to tell their family and friends. As well as learning many new skills, they participate in various certificated training courses to help them when applying for jobs.

So, if you would like to book us for any of the above jobs or if you know someone who would benefit from getting involved with us, give us a call on 01851 705054 or 0777 071 4987 or email info@hebridesalpha.co.uk

20/12/2019

Last power washing job before Christmas.

Fighting against the tide at Cuddy Point to get it cleaned up for a rowing/sailing event on Saturday.

Hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year when it comes 🕺🏃‍♂️💃⛄️🎄😂

02/12/2019

Christmas ideas!

Beautiful L shaped desks - 1600mm x 1200mm £60 each

Even bigger desk! - 1600mm x 1600mm desks £72 each

Pedestals 720mm high - £30 each

Semi circle tables - £24 each

Phone 705054

06/11/2019

Heb Alpha have a selection of office furniture available for sale - phone 0777 071 4987 if you want any more info or would like to purchase any of it.

There is a possibility that we can assist with delivery, but this could incur an additional cost, unless you were placing a big order ;)

L- shaped desks – 2 different sizes - £50 + vat each = £60
All 720mm high
1600mm x 1600mm x 800mm x 800mm
1600mm x 1200mm x 800 (there are a mixture of left and right hand desks)

3 drawer Pedestals to match desks – some have keys some don’t - £25 + vat each = £30
Various sizes – some fit under the desk and some to the side
600mm high x 500mm deep x 400mm wide
720mm high x 600mm x 400mm wide
720mm high x 800mm deep x 400mm wide

Rectangular desks – 1200mm x 800mm £25 + vat each = £30

Roller shutter cupboards with keys – 2 different sizes - £60 + vat each = £72
1000mm high – 1000mm wide x 450mm deep
1200mm high – 1000mm wide x 450mm deep

Black fabric swivel chairs - £20 + vat each = £24

Circular kitchen tables – 700mm wide - £40 + vat each
Stacking chairs to go with above table - £10 + vat each = £12

2 seater couches – 2 different colours as per pics – 2 of each - £40 + vat each = £48

Boardroom tables
1500mm long x 750mm wide x 740mm high - £25 + vat each = £30
Trapezoidal tables to go with above 1500mm long - £25 + vat each = £30
Blue fabric high back chairs to go with above boardroom tables - £25 + vat each = £30

Green fabric reception chairs - £25 + vat each = £30

Rectangular meeting room table – 2000mm long x 1000mm wide x 700mm - £80 + vat = £96

Green fabric chairs - £20 + vat each = £24

Book cases – 800mm high x 750mm wide x 400mm deep - £30 + vat each = £36

30/04/2019

Hebrides Alpha Trading provides therapeutic employment to men and women with addiction problems aged 18 – 65 years, in Lewis & Harris.

They receive training in all the jobs we do and we also put them through certificated training courses to help them gain in confidence and to assist with gaining future employment.

They come in to us for 2 days a week (8am – 4.30pm) and we provide all Personal Protective Clothing, snacks and lunches and we reimburse bus fares. And we can provide an up-to-date reference when they are applying for jobs.

If you (or someone you know) would benefit from taking part, please get in touch and we can arrange to have an informal chat. You can contact us with a private message from facebook, or phone 01851 705054 or the mobile on 0777 071 4987 or email us at info@hebridesalpha.co.uk

A few quotes from folk who have been with us

‘Now that I’m going to work full-time, I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be ready for this if I hadn’t come here first. It’s helped me get back into a routine and the courses I’ve done have really boosted my confidence. Thanks very much. If there’s anything I can do to help in the future, let me know’.

‘I’m grateful that you took me on as nobody else would.’

‘There’s always plenty of work to do and we get all over the island. I really like it and I’ve made good friends here.’

‘It’s just good to be working again. I’ve been cooped up inside for years and now I’m working and I’m getting qualifications and I feel good about myself.’

‘Heb Alpha has been great for me. I look forward to coming in every week and working hard and having a bit of crack with the other guys.’

‘I love coming in. I’d be lost without it now. I like getting out and about and working hard and it’s good to work with like minded people’.

‘It’s the first job I’ve had in a long long time. And it’s the best job I’ve ever had. We do lots of different jobs, we go all over the island and we’re outside in all weathers, rain hail or shine.’

05/08/2018

07/05/2018

Here's a before and after pic of a job we did at Cuddy Point last week.

23/04/2018

09/02/2018

Hebrides Alpha

Window Cleaning
Power Washing
Gutter Cleaning
Cardboard Recycling
Harris Tweed Clocks

Just a wee reminder to folk about the jobs we do, why we do it and where.

We started back in 2007 with the purpose of providing therapeutic employment to men and women in our local community who are struggling with alcohol and other drug addiction issues. They each come in for 2 days each week and work from 8am to 4.30pm on a variety of jobs. We also arrange for them to do various courses to help enhance their employment opportunities including first aid, manual handling, health & safety, CSCS card, forklift and cherry picker. We pay for public transport to and from work and we provide their lunches and all footwear and clothing required to do the jobs safely and comfortably.

We can work with up to 10 individuals at a time and we have 3 full-time staff plus a part-time admin worker. The running costs are in the region of £170,000 per year and as a VAT registered business, that means we need to take in £200,000 each year (£4,000 each week) to balance the books. And we are doing that through the various jobs we do, which is a huge achievement. So here’s what we do.

Window cleaning in and around Stornoway, Point, Tong to Tolsta, Barvas round to Carloway and on to Garynahine, Achmore, Grimshader, Ranish, Crossbost, Leurbost, Cameron Terrace, Keose, Laxay and Balallan. Prices start at £15 (including vat) with the average house being between £18 - £20 (inc vat). We can do a one-off job or return as often as you like – we are round town every day and out in all of the country areas every 4 weeks. Customers can set up a standing order or we can email or post an invoice and customers can pay by cash or cheque in the office or pay via online banking or by card over the phone.

We also do power washing and gutter cleaning in the same areas. We don’t power wash roofs.

We provide a weekly cardboard recycling service to local businesses – every business has a legal duty of care to recycle their plastics, glass, cans, paper and cardboard.

We make beautiful, unique clocks out of Harris Tweed and recycled wooden pallets and they are sold all over the world.

We have a cherry picker which can work up to 12 metres in height which we comes with trained staff. We have all the insurances in place, we have a Waste Carriers Licence and we have Method Statements and Risk Assessments for all of the jobs we provide.

Some quotes from service users
‘The staff have brought laughter back in to my life – better than any medication’.

‘I would recommend Heb Alpha to other people who have addiction problems because being out and about amongst good people doing physical work makes you feel good’.

‘Before I started I was beginning to feel worthless after a year of being unemployed. I rarely went out or mingled with other people, but now I believe there is hope for the future’.

‘Hebrides Alpha helped me get a lovely new house, furniture for the house and a new tv’.

‘I really love it – it’s absolutely fantastic being out and about. The day passes far too quickly and I can’t believe how soon half past 4 comes round. I just love it.’

Our websites are www.hebridesalpha.co.uk and www.harristweedclock.co.uk

If you would like any more info on any of our services or if you know of someone who would benefit from getting involved with us, please contact the Project Manager, Robert Sinclair at rsinclair@hebridesalpha.co.uk or phone 01851 705054

09/01/2018

Happy New Year to all our customers and friends! It's a beautiful morning here in Stornoway. A great day to get your windows cleaned!