Orkney parents - Let’s Talk Money!

A new scheme has been launched by the Council and partner agencies in Orkney to try and ensure families in the county are receiving all they are entitled to.

“Let’s Talk Money” has been launched by Council Quality Improvement Officer, Wendy Bowen, as she strives to ensure that children do not miss out on achieving and attaining at school as a result of financial strains within the home.

Wendy said: “Every child has the right to a good education and the Education Team has set out a clear vision to ensure every young learner in Orkney can fulfil their potential.

“The Raising Attainment Strategy has two clear outcomes which link to the Orkney Islands Council Education Service Plan.  These are Raising Attainment for All (Striving for Excellence) and Closing the Poverty-Related Attainment Gap (Striving for Equity). 

“I will be working with partner agencies to try and share the message with parents and carers that there is a huge amount of help and support out there – we just need to make sure everyone who is entitled can access that.

“Every month we will be sharing messaging from different agencies on how they can help – we will be using the Council and other agency social media platforms, engaging with the school community and sharing messages directly with parents and carers. We will be engaging with children directly – making sure their voices are heard as this directly impacts on them.

“We just want to make sure that families are maximising their incomes and receiving what they are entitled to. Many will have been facing financial difficulties for a long time and for others this will be a new experience – and that can be incredibly difficult to acknowledge.

“Anyone can fall on hard times for any manner of reasons. No one will be judged for seeking out the help to which you are absolutely entitled. All the agencies involved just want to help, so please get in touch. Taking that first step could be life-changing for all the right reasons.”

Wendy says teaching staff will also be upskilled on sources of help available so they can help advise parents as appropriate.

Topics to feature will include how to access free school meals/uniform grants, Orkney Money Matters, Citizens Advice Bureau, THAW Orkney, Social Security Scotland, Orkney Foodbank, and others as all work to try and help families through the cost of living crisis and beyond.

“Let’s Talk Money will be an evolving programme and we are keen to hear from other agencies who would like to be involved or have a support service they would like to see highlighted to parents. They can get in touch with myself at Wendy.Bowen@orkney.gov.uk.”