Latest News

International Overdose Awareness Day - 31 August - is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, to remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.

The Council’s very own Inga Bosworth has been chosen to share some of her top tunes to the nation on Steve Wright in the Afternoon on Radio 2.

Housing Officer Inga will let her music do the talking when some of her favourite songs are played over the airwaves on Friday 27 August at 3pm.

Rousay, Egilsay, Wyre and Gairsay (REW) and Outer North Isles (ONI) residents are being reminded that the closing date for feedback on the ‘Outline Business Cases’ for their future air and ferry transport services closes this Friday, 24 August at 5pm.

Partners in Orkney have made “encouraging” progress within previously identified areas of improvement required within the Children and Young People’s Service in the county.

While there remains work to be done, a Care Inspectorate follow up review highlights “more effective leadership and planning” in place, which is driving forward positive change.

OIC's Customer Services reception desk at the council offices in School Place, Kirkwall will be closed for visits from the public this Friday 27 August from 1pm, to enable staff training to take place, with the team still contactable by phone between 2pm and 5pm.

Staff at St Rognvald House care home continued to show their “extra mile” ethos putting on an amazing “County Show” for residents and their families on Saturday.

The initial drizzle did nothing to dampen the high spirits on the day as all enjoyed simply being together again alongside animals, musicians, dancers, good food, raffles, lucky dips, staff races and fun events.

Primary Teacher, Stacy Johnston, is committed to making a real difference to the lives of children.

The 29-year-old from Hoy was unsure for a long time of the career path ahead of her, initially graduating in Public Relations, followed by achieving a degree in Renewable Energy Development and thereafter securing a post with a fuel poverty charity in the county.

Our superstar student, Sarah Seatter, walked 100 miles during the summer holidays to raise money for a children’s cancer charity.

The Papdale Primary School P7 pupil also braved the chop last week, donating a whopping 16 inches of hair to the Little Princess Trust who make wigs for children who have lost their hair.

Hazel Pinner is in her 4^th year of primary teaching and moved to Orkney in August 2019, just eight months before the first UK lockdown.

Her path into teaching was also a little convoluted despite this being a childhood dream and having been inspired into the profession by a number of primary and secondary teachers, whom she is proud call friends to this day.

Anna Jusinska, 29, has found the support network for teachers very visible in Orkney – despite the challenges of restrictions.

Originally from Poland, Anna, 29, graduated from the University of Glasgow with an MA in Theatre Studies, but English language and literature remained her passion and she wanted to turn this into a career.