Staff News

This Mental Health Awareness Week we have been talking about anxiety, sharing some insights into how anxiety can impact us, giving you some tips on how to manage your own anxiety and to support others in managing theirs.

Whilst Mental Health Awareness Week is a great opportunity to throw a spotlight on mental health, the support doesn’t stop there.

Breathing Space is a free, confidential phone and web based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, anxiety or depression. They provide a safe and supportive space by listening, offering advice and providing information.

Telephone 0800 83 85 87  www.breathingspace.scot

Samaritans Provides 24-hour, confidential emotional support to any person who is suicidal or despairing. Free helpline: 116123

Email: jo@samaritans.org website https://www.samaritans.org/. 

We would like to invite, and indeed challenge, all OIC staff to take the 10-15 minute Numeracy Challenge by following this link:

www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/challenge/llo (Your results are private and only you will see them, with feedback on areas you may need to improve.)

This apprenticeship programme gives employees the opportunity to study for a fully funded   degree level whilst working for Orkney Islands Council.  The programme is designed for employees who are working in the subject area which they are studying and applying the knowledge gained and their work experience to their learning. 

This is an excellent opportunity to study for a degree and you can be eligible, even if you already have a degree in a subject which is not relevant to your current post. One OIC employee has already graduated from this programme and another three will graduate in July this year.

With the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 being anxiety, it’s a good opportunity for us to better understand anxiety and how to support ourselves and others.

Anxiety is a common emotion that we’ve likely all experienced at some point in our lives. People living with an anxiety disorder will feel intense levels of anxiety frequently, which can deeply impact their quality of life.

Anxiety disorders affect over 8 million people in the UK – that’s a little over 1 in 10 of us – and there are a lot of different types.

An Armed Forces Community Covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces Community.

Public Holidays 2023/24 and The Coronation of His Majesty the King

As a reminder the Council Public Holiday dates for 2023/24 are as follows:

A look back at the ‘five P’s’ of cyber security, and the range of ways the Council works to keep the data it holds safe from malicious attacks.

We know that talking about the menopause at work isn’t always easy. But the more conversations we have about the impact that menopause and perimenopause can have on work, the better life is for everyone.

The menopause remains a taboo subject in many workplaces and with the majority of people who are experiencing menopause-related health problems being reluctant to disclose this to their managers, it is important for us all to increase our understanding of the menopause and perimenopause, and to better understand the impact it can have on our working lives.

A strategic plan which will see the Council focus on growing Orkney's economy, strengthening its communities and developing local infrastructure over the next five years, was agreed by Councillors at today's meeting of the Full Council.

The 'Council Plan 2023 – 2028’  sets out the key priorities for the Council over the next five years as well as the actions and projects that will need to be completed to meet those.