The power of being at home in familiar surroundings should never be underestimated, according to Laura Wood, the Occupational Therapist who led the Home First year-long pilot in Orkney.

With support and guidance from Ruth Lea, the Occupational Therapy Lead – Adult Services, Laura and the Home First team ?have been able to transform people’s lives, ensuring the right care, at the right time is in place relevant to each person’s needs.

The Home First team, who work in tandem with social care, Care at Home staff and physiotherapists have supported patient’s home, and in some cases prevented people from going into residential care.

Wilson Learmonth has described the Home First care model as “tremendous” for it has allowed his wife, Irene, to remain with him at home despite being dealt a number of devastating health diagnoses.

Irene, 74, a retired primary school teacher from Kirkwall led a fit and healthy lifestyle.

But the family’s world was turned upside down with a diagnosis of Parkinsons around four years ago and then a further blow when they were told Irene also had related Dementia.

A new generation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learners are being inspired at Westray Junior High School thanks to the purchase of a 3D printer.

A successful bid for a Scottish Government grant of £2500 for each of the secondaries and junior high schools was made by the Council’s Education team and Westray opted to buy in the revolutionary technology, which is helping teachers such as Dr James Hill at Westray, reach a new level of student engagement.

The grant was specifically to purchase equipment for the delivery of computing science in secondary schools.

70 Union Jacks and around 180 schoolchildren part of HM the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations

Passengers from the Ambassador Cruise Line’s first lady of the sea “Ambience” will be treated to a spectacular sight during their Orkney visit as part of the county’s Platinum Jubilee 70^th anniversary celebrations for our own first lady of Great Britain, HM the Queen.

The Council’s Marine Planning team has completed the first phase of island visits to discuss marine planning in Orkney. 

Between mid April and early May 2022, the team visited Stronsay, Hoy, Sanday and Westray, holding two public sessions on each island. The team visited schools to help pupils learn about marine issues and to hear the views of young people.

A Pictish cross-slab goes on display for the first time this weekend (Saturday, May 14) as part of an Orkney Museum exhibition exploring the archaeology of Newark, Deerness.

Discovered in 2016, the carved stone is one element of an exhibition outlining a site with a history spanning millennia, but which is under constant threat from coastal erosion.

An opportunity has arisen for people in Orkney who are in recovery from drug dependency to join a growing online community.

The group was set up by those in recovery in the Western Isles and includes those in recovery from Shetland too.

Dependency and harmful use of substances can lead to people becoming socially isolated, and becoming part of a recovery community can help to address the issues related to this harmful isolation people are suffering from.

Orkney’s special friendship with Norway will be celebrated this Tuesday (17 May) when the annual Norwegian Constitution Day takes place.

The day will begin at 10:30 with a Remembrance service at the Norwegian war graves in St Olaf's Cemetery. Transport will be provided, courtesy of Stagecoach, for official guests from Kirkwall Pierhead to the cemetery at 10:00.

At 12:00 the Tog will set off from the Kirkwall Pierhead to the Market Green, led by members of the Kirkwall City Pipe Band, Norwegian visitors, school children and any members of the public who would like to join in.

Public toilets at St Magnus Lane in Kirkwall and Mull Head Heritage Centre in Deerness have reopened this weekend.

Both the facilities, owned and run by Orkney Islands Council, are open 24 hours a day, every day.

The Mull Head toilets were closed throughout the pandemic as resources couldn’t meet the enhanced cleaning required.

Orkney Islands Council is appealing to members of the public to keep clear of the road closure at Highland Park and observe safety barriers in place.