Join the conversation – more Orkney Matters 2 meetings announced

Details of more Orkney Matters 2 meetings coming up in the county have been released

Orkney Matters 2 follows on from Orkney Matters, a community engagement programme held in 2020-21 which saw partners from across the Orkney Partnership meet with communities across Orkney to identify key issues to these areas.

It picks up the conversation where Orkney Matters left off with everyone is invited to take part and subjects identified which will be of most importance to each community.

Meetings have already been held in Shapinsay, Orphir, Flotta, Sanday and Holm. A meeting also takes place in Stenness tonight (6 June).

Whilst Orkney Matters was held online due to the Covid pandemic, Orkney Matters 2 is being held face to face. All meetings will take place between 7:30pm and 9:00pm.

A second vital strand of Orkney Matters 2 is an arts outreach programme to be co-ordinated by the Pier Arts Centre. This will take the conversation into schools and community interest groups across Orkney, capturing thoughts and feelings about life in Orkney with the help of local artists.

Council Leader and Chair of The Orkney Partnership, Heather Woodbridge, commented: “The meetings which have taken place so far have been hugely useful in increasing our understanding of the key issues facing our communities. Transport for example has come up at every meeting we've had so far but we've also had some insightful discussions around health and the cost of living.

“I'd encourage folk to keep an eye out for Orkney Matters 2 coming to their area and come and tell us what matters most to yourself, your family and your community.”

The Orkney Partnership brings public agencies together with the community and business to deliver better, more joined-up public services and improve the quality of people’s lives. Members include Orkney Islands Council, NHS Orkney, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Highlands Islands Enterprise, and Voluntary Action Orkney. Many community and business groups are active in developing the Partnership’s Community Plan and in delivering it.

The upcoming meeting are:

• Firth & Stenness – Thursday 6 June – 7.30pm in the Stenness Hall

• Graemsay – Friday 7 June – 7.30pm in the Graemsay Hall

• Stromness – Monday 10 June – 7.30pm in the John Rae Room, Warehouse Buildings

• Westray – Wednesday 12 June – 7.30pm in the Community Room at the School

• Papa Westray – Thursday 13 June – 7.30pm in the Community Room at St Anne’s Church

• Evie & Rendall – Monday 17 June – 7.30pm in the Rendall Hall

• Rousay, Egilsay & Wyre – Wednesday 19 June – 7.30pm at the School

• Harray and Sandwick – Monday 24 June – 7.30pm in the Sandwick Hall

• South Ronaldsay and Burray – Tuesday 25 June – 7.30pm in the Burray Hall

• Eday – Wednesday 26 June – 7.30pm in the Heritage Centre

• Birsay – Monday 1 July – 7.30pm in the Birsay Hall

• Stronsay – Tuesday 2 July – 7.30pm in the Stronsay Hall

• North Ronaldsay – Monday 8 July – 7.30pm in the Community Room at the School

• Kirkwall TBC

• St Andrews & Deerness TBC

• Online meeting for Isles where people couldn’t attend their in-person meeting TBC

• Online meeting for Mainland where people couldn’t attend their in-person meeting TBC