Martin’s Memorial Church of Scotland is gearing up for the expansion of its community initiative, The Shed Project, with the launch of a new development, the Barn Family Centre.
To support this expansion, a new role for a Barn Family Centre manager has been created to help shape the future of the planned services.
The Barn project will provide support services for families in Stornoway with £900,000 invested in creating a new space to deliver its aims with the refurbishment of the church hall, new toilets and community kitchen, and the addition of much needed office space alongside counselling rooms.
This step forward will create enhanced spaces and services for families, children, young people, and adults – building on The Shed’s strong foundations of community, care, and connection.
Since opening in 2014, The Shed Project has become a trusted place where young people
aged 11–18 are welcomed, supported, and empowered through youth drop-
The Shed’s work has grown year on year. Early intervention initiatives tackling issues like bullying, online safety, and mental health have been central to its success, alongside pioneering projects like the Primary 7 Transition Programme.
Today, with a team of 15 dedicated staff, The Shed continues to make a life-
As the organisation prepares for the next exciting chapter with The Barn Family Centre, its commitment remains the same: to create spaces where people of all ages feel safe, seen, and supported.
Rev Tommy MacNeil, Shed Team lead and minister at Martin’s Memorial Church, said: "The Barn Family Centre is a huge step forward in seeing the vision of The Shed grow. Our heart has always been to serve the community with love, care, and practical support. The Barn will allow us to reach even more people, offering spaces and services where everyone can belong, flourish, and find hope."
Mr MacNeil continued: “We want to express our heartfelt thanks to O'Mac Construction for their dedication and care in delivering this major refurbishment, and to our brilliant professional project management team who have guided the process with skill, commitment, and heart. Their partnership has been vital in making the vision for The Barn a reality, and we are deeply grateful.”
Christeen Macdonald, Shed chairperson, said: "At The Shed, everything we do is grounded in our values: respect, responsibility, empowerment, and community. The Barn Family Centre carries these same values into a bigger, broader future. We can't wait to see the lives that will be impacted and the hope that will be shared through this next chapter."
Over the last 15 years, The Shed’s activities has involved:
- Recovery Support: The Well and The Ark provide safe, supportive spaces for over 40 adults in recovery, helping them find hope, connection, and a future
- The Shed Café: Since opening in December 2023, the café has become a vibrant meeting place, serving up food, friendship, and a warm welcome to 25–30 people each opening day
- Families and Intergenerational Work: Little Stars has grown from strength to strength, now welcoming record numbers of families each week, with new Music and Rhyme sessions supporting early child development and building parent community
- Safe Families Western Isles: This vital service continues to grow, reaching across the islands – recently extending its family support into Uist and Barra
Stornoway church recruiting for key role to help drive its family support mission
17 April 2025