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Orkney Islands Council has awarded Voluntary Action Orkney funding to develop a new partnership project aimed at improving access to advice and cash-based support for anybody worrying about money in Orkney.

Orkney played host to a very special event at the weekend when Niall Allison was presented with an award to mark being named JudoScotland’s Volunteer of the Year 2022.

Paul McGuinness a 6^th Dan and coach from JudoScotland visited Orkney from 7-8 January to present Niall’s award at the Picky Centre, after which Paul spent an afternoon coaching both junior and senior classes in his red and white belt.

e-Sgoil's Study Support evening webinars are now in full swing, with a total of 50 different webinars running each week during term time.

The number of youngsters registering continues to climb, with lots of people coming onboard just now at prelim time.

e-Sgoil currently has 3,184 learners registered for a total of 12,700 individual webinars. There's still plenty of room though, because the webinars take place on Microsoft Teams through Glow, so large numbers can be accommodated on a call for some of the most popular subjects.

We are reminding pupils at Stromness Academy who are thinking to continue their education in agricultural or veterinary study that they have the opportunity to apply for an annual award of up to £1000 per applicant.

Mrs Jeanie Kirkwood left a bequest stipulating that it should be used to promoted agricultural and veterinary study for pupils attending Stromness Academy. The deadline date for applications is 5 March.

Further industrial action by teaching unions is expected to impact Orkney schools on Wednesday 18 January.

Parents are being contacted directly by schools to inform them of individual school arrangements.

Orkney Islands Council has expressed its disappointment at not being named as one of Scotland’s two future Green Freeports – but says it will work to extract as much benefit as possible from the increased awareness brought about by the bidding process.

A roundup of works underway or soon to start around Orkney, for the week starting Monday 16 January.

Progress continues to be made on improvements to the Fostering, Adoption and Adult Placement (Continuity Care) Services in Orkney.

The Care Inspectorate published inspection reports into the Council-run services on 29 November 2022 highlighting a number of areas of concern.

The Council tug, Thor of Scapa, and pilot vessel, Scapa Pathfinder, assisted the Caledonian MacBrayne Isle of Mull ferry which had suffered engine troubles on Tuesday, off Orkney.

The vessel is currently berthed at Lyness and repairs are being carried out.

The Council’s St Magnus Café will be hosting the Samaritans of Orkney national annual campaign event known as “Brew Monday” on Monday 16 January.

The third Monday in January is sometimes referred to as “the most difficult day of the year” but this is a myth. Samaritans say there’s no such thing as “Blue Monday” – everyone has good and bad days, and those aren’t for the calendar to decide. 

Orkney Health and Social Care Finance Officer, Joan Jones, is also the Director of Samaritans of Orkney. She said: “We say it's time to stop this myth about Monday being 'blue' and instead start a conversation over a brew! ​Reach out and connect with family, friends, colleagues and loved ones.