Refugee resettlement programme appointment made

The refugee resettlement programme in Orkney moved a step forward last week (25 May) with the appointment of Keith Bendall to the role of Project Manager (Resettlement Schemes).

Keith, who was Manager of the Orkney Coronavirus Community Support Hub at the Picky Centre, is settling into the new job in the same month as the Council and Orkney community welcomed the first refugees from Ukraine to arrive here under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. Olena Katsy and her six-year-old daughter Athina have settled in well to their new home on the Mainland with their host family.

Keith is looking forward to leading the resettlement programmes for both Ukraine and Afghanistan on behalf of the Council and ensuring Government guidance is implemented appropriately.

He said: “It is important that processes are in place at a local level to ensure families and individuals have a stress-free assisted transition to their new life in Orkney.

“I will be the point of contact for partners providing services, working closely to improve on processes and looking at any opportunity that makes it easier for anyone who arrives to settle.

“By the nature of their resettlement there will be a lot of uncertainty and worry if we can make sure everything is in place that is one less thing to be concerned about.

“Smaller communities and ours in particular are always welcoming and I know from receiving many offers of support from the community we will rise to the challenge and make everyone feel included and welcome.” 

Given Keith’s extensive experience over the past 35 years’ involvement in frontline support assistance to members of various communities throughout Scotland, he is well positioned to provide the necessary support and guidance required.

“I have worked on several large-scale projects that benefited communities and brought additional support and guidance. Most recently I set up and assisted in the management of the Orkney Coronavirus Community Support Hub. It was a great experience in demanding times, colleagues from the local authority provided invaluable support and assistance to the most vulnerable in our community.

“I was impressed at how everyone from local businesses, members of the community and partners within Community Planning delivered an outstanding response.

“Whilst the resettlement of refugees is a different challenge it is one, I know from that experience that the foundations of support are already there, I can use the knowledge and relationships built in my previous role to manage and deliver this really important requirement.”

The Council’s Head of Community Learning, Leisure and Housing, Frances Troup, said she was delighted to welcome Keith and his expertise to the team.