£100k goes to local organisations in first round of Third Sector Emergency Covid Fund

Seven local third sector services have been awarded a total of £100,783 from the first round of the OIC’s Third Sector Emergency Covid Fund.

The £300k Fund was established by Orkney Islands Council in July to support local voluntary organisations that had been negatively affected by the impact of Covid-19. The Fund is being administered by Voluntary Action Orkney (VAO).

The successful organisations are: Eday Heritage Trust, Orkney Blide Trust, Relationships Scotland Orkney, Stronsay Development Trust and THAW Orkney.

Two services managed by VAO, Adult Befriending and Connect, were also successful although the assessment process for those applicants was carried out by Orkney Islands Council officials.

VAO Chief Executive, Gail Anderson said, "We’re delighted to announce the first awards from the Fund which will ensure that vital services can respond to emergency demand and continue to operate until March 2022. We encourage local voluntary, charitable or not for profit organisations that may be facing similar challenges as a result of Covid-19 to apply to the next round of funding.”

Tamsin Bailey, Service Director at Relationships Scotland Orkney said: “We are delighted to have received an award of funding from the COVID Emergency Fund. The application process was straightforward and the turnaround time for decision impressively quick. At a time when we see a sharp increase in demand for mental health support in Orkney, this award will enable us to offer more counselling sessions and to run small group Wellbeing Sessions for people in the community who are struggling to resume activities they previously enjoyed - such as gentle exercise, art and crafts activities, book groups – as a result of prolonged isolation due to the pandemic. These sessions will enable people to regain confidence going out and about in a supportive and informal environment.

OIC Convener Harvey Johnston said: “The speed with which this assistance has been mobilised after the initial plea for help is a reflection of the appreciation this Council has for the vital services provided by Orkney’s third sector and voluntary organisations – they are the lifeblood of Orkney providing our community with early, timely, tailored interventions and we wish the successful organisations announced today all the very best as they seek to continue to serve our residents in what remains a challenging time for many people.”

The Third Sector Emergency Fund was launched by Orkney Islands Council with an opening balance of £300k in July to provide emergency support to Orkney’s Third Sector as they face considerable financial pressures and surges in demand for their services as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Applications are now being sought for the second round of funding. Interested voluntary, charitable or not for profit organisations should contact David Campbell at VAO by email for more information and an application form.

The closing date for applications is 24 September 2021.

To find out more about the Third Sector Emergency Covid Fund, read the launch press release