The Council successfully secured £157,265 from the Scottish Government’s Islands Programme to help deliver the first phase of major renovation works at the care home to create additional spaces for residents.

Argyll and Bute Council is already investing £250,000 to the project with the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) who are leading the project adding a further £573,000. The total amount for the renovations now stands at £980,000.

The first phase of renovation focuses on refurbishment, redecorating and rewiring of the Dementia Day Care Unit wing of the building to include two new en suite rooms. A second phase will follow to create three additional bedrooms with en suites for residents. This increases the current capacity from nine to 14. Works will also include a complete rewiring of main areas in the home including the dining room, kitchen, TV room, entire first floor and the Phoenix Resource Centre.

In the last two years, the Council has successfully secured £1.5 million of Islands Programme funding which has helped to deliver flood protection, digital infrastructure, care facilities and housing enabling infrastructure on the islands of Mull, Iona, Islay, Tiree and Coll.

Councillor Ross Moreland, depute leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: “Working with our island communities, we know that access to health and social care are key priorities for many residents. The addition of the Islands Programme funding will make a significant difference to the renovation of Thomson Court Care Home.

“We are committed to securing ongoing investment for our island communities. Working with HSCP, the latest funding is a welcome boost and means there is more capacity for residents to stay locally in familiar surroundings.”

James Gow, head of finance and transformation, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, added: “This is a real positive investment in Thomson Court and is great news for the people of Bute as it will allow us to increase the number of residents we can provide for within a much loved and needed facility on the island.

“I would also like to thank our partners, Argyll and Bute Council and the Scottish Government, for their support and their investment in this project.”

Neil Rutherford, senior associate director, place, housing and economic growth, Scottish Futures Trust, said: “Our infrastructure experts have worked closely with the island Local Authorities and Scottish Government to ensure the Islands Programme continues to deliver positive outcomes for the island communities.

“This new funding will go a long way to support repopulation, economic growth and local jobs, and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with the project teams to see their visions move into reality and achieve what the communities need most.”

The Islands Programme aims to sustain, enhance and develop transformational and critical infrastructure projects, which use clear place based, community wealth principles to support inclusive island growth. Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) administers the fund on behalf of the Scottish Government.