The needs of community heroes providing vital and voluntary care for folk will be shared by speakers at the Orkney Carers’ Conference in May.

Between them, presenters lined up for the conference have a wealth of personal and professional experience of unpaid carers and the challenges the face each day.

Speakers at the conference include:

We have an update on the roadworks underway or due to start around Orkney from Monday 17 April.

Scottish Water are currently working on the A960 in Toab with traffic controlled by traffic lights for the duration of the work. 

Two free online gambling awareness events are to be held for professionals, support groups and criminal justice practitioners in Orkney looking to learn more about gambling related harm.

The Orkney Community Justice Partnership, in conjunction with the RCA Trust, which provides community-based alcohol and gambling related prevention and treatment services in Scotland, recently hosted two free one-hour online gambling awareness events to professionals across the north region.

Nel Govender is “delighted” to be moving to Orkney and starting work in a key role with Orkney Health and Care following an appeal for help to source suitable accommodation.

The public ask for private landlords to come forward with offers of accommodation proved to be very successful with six new members of staff now matched with providers.

A second tranche of the Third Sector Cost of Living Crisis Fund goes live today (Thursday 13^th April 2023)

The fund is administered by Voluntary Action Orkney (VAO) and funded via the Council through their allocation from the Scottish Government’s Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund.

Third Sector organisations in Orkney have been reporting difficulties with covering their rising operational costs. While they are facing these increasing financial pressures, these organisations are also seeing more people coming to them for support.

Statement on behalf of the Orkney Partnership

The services inspected are provided by NHS Orkney, Orkney Islands Council, Police Scotland and third sector agencies.

Orkney Island Council and Crown Estate Scotland have today (11 April) unveiled further details of a ground-breaking project aimed at giving Orkney islanders greater say in decisions about the use of the seabed around them.

The arrangement involves both organisations working closely to evaluate new applications for agreements on the seabed surrounding Orkney, ensuring key decisions are informed by the priorities of those who live and work nearby.

A number of ex-Council vehicles and plant are offered for sale this month.

Vehicles include a Mercedes Econic RCV SV59 ZPK, Iveco Eurotrakker Gritter SV05FGE, Iveco Trakker Gritter – ST12 OTK, Bomag Roller – GN06 FBO, Iveco EuroTrakker SY53 EWY, Mercedes Axor Gritter AY06EJE and a Mercedes Axor Gritter WR11 NXU.

Council Convener Graham Bevan will cut the ribbon to officially open the Papdale East Community Park in Kirkwall on Friday 21 April.

The community are invited along to celebrate the occasion from 12noon until 4.30pm with speeches, guided walks, a treasure hunt and light refreshments available.

An open day is being held at Eday London Airport on Wednesday 19 April for island residents to get a behind-the-scenes insight into the role of an airfield attendant.

The Council is looking to recruit relief staff to bolster the core airfield team.

You could take off with a new career while also playing an important community role and reducing the likelihood of flight cancellations due to a lack of available staff.