Community wind income helps Lewis households keep their homes comfortable

A dehumidifier helped Gordon Watt deal with condensation and mould at home, including in one of his children’s bedrooms. It came from a Lewis support team whose work is funded by a community wind farm.

Point and Sandwick Trust’s latest account says its Energy Support Unit has helped around 570 households since 2023, distributing more than £511,000 in grants. The team also arranged 146 home-repair jobs in 2025/26.

The approach starts with what a household needs: help with a bill, repairs, or equipment to make a cold or damp home more comfortable. The Trust’s service information explains that residents can speak confidentially with advisers, who connect them with support and administer a targeted hardship fund.

High energy costs persist, and island transport and contractor costs make improvements harder. These figures are the Trust’s reported activity, rather than a measured reduction in local fuel poverty.

Still, owning the wind farm gives the community income it can direct towards practical help. Gordon’s experience shows how that can reach right into a family home.

Sources

• Social Enterprise Scotland — latest household support figures and Gordon’s experience
• Point and Sandwick Trust — how confidential energy support works