Tea break: Loraine Niven

In our regular feature, we join a local for a tea break and find out how they spend their time - and their time off. This issue we welcome Loraine Niven, the new General Manager at the Leverhulme Community Hub

What’s your story so far?

Halo, Is mise Lanie, Tha mi à Siorrachd Àir...and that is about as good as my Gaelic is so far.

I was brought up around the countryside, my Papa ran the sawmill, my uncles were foresters and we helped at the farm a lot. I left school and was a groom with youngstock horses at a stud farm, showing, training, and all manner of animal husbandry.

I went back to college to study business admin, worked as an IT supervisor, manager of a sales team and auditor for a few years and then realised I wanted to go back to working with animals, which I did and became a dog groomer for 20 years, running my own business for 12 of them.

I started working voluntarily at our local community hall and sports centre as a development officer. This led to me taking over as an employed manager and develop-ment manager, gaining funding for the centre to become sustainable and setting them up for the future. This gave me the opportunity to move to Leverhulme Community Hub to hopefully share my skills and com-munity work experience to the betterment of Leverburgh.

What is your new role?

My new role (which I am so grateful for) is as the first ever general manager at the Hub. My days are very varied, one day paperwork: risk assessments, facility legalities, answering calls and emails and taking book-ings, the next sorting out the laundry and chatting to visitors and our amazing volunteers. I can be applying for future funding, organising open days or gathering community feedback for future activities. It’s a very varied position, which I love.

What are the challenges?

Trying to learn Gaelic! It is not easy, but I am deter-mined. Also decorating the house and unpacking, such a chore! Most rewarding, so far, is the fact that every-one has taken me under their wing and is helping me be a part of the community, making me feel welcome and appreciated.

What are you looking forward to?

My boat trip next week around the Sound of Harris, hearing some live bands at the Brewery, and some sun-shine! I am also looking forward to our open days at the Hub in September, with a fashion show. It will be such fun.

We have applied for funding to start off our community café soon! We have also started a wee community sur-vey which will be available online and in the Hub from 15th July, we would be most grateful for everyone’s feedback!

What is your favourite Harris place?

I honestly couldn’t choose! I love the view out of my windows, I love the beaches: Northton, Luskentyre,

Horgabost - they are all just stunning, clean and quiet. The hills, the wildflowers, the quietness, the wind (yes I love the wind!) I haven’t found anywhere I don’t love yet.

What do you like to do with your free time?

I like to listen to live music, write songs, sing and play guitar (I’m very rusty). I like going out and about finding places to visit, sitting at the beach, going out for food. I also like spending down time just chilling out in my own space.

Tea break time: what are you having?

Well… My favourite tipple would have to be a wee Jura on the rocks, or before 5pm a good coffee. Snack: I’m more a savoury person, so bacon bagel, chicken panini, or if its with my Jura – salted crackers and cheese.

Coming soon...Open weekend is Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September. We plan to display Harris tweed, from sheep to garments to recycling and will be holding a fundraising fashion show and social night. On the Saturday we will be sharing traditional foods, tradition-al games and some Gaelic activities.