Directories Page
MCMC Directory of Additional Information:
Active Schools
To get more children, more active, more often.
Address: Education, Leisure and Housing Services, Council Offices, School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney
Phone: 01856 873535 ext 2418
Contact: Garry Burton
Links to: Sport Scotland, Health Promoting Schools, local sports clubs, Sports Development National Governing Bodies (Sports)
Type: Statutory
Advocacy Orkney
Provide an Advocacy Service for Children and Young people who are or have been ‘looked after’ by the Local Authority or those in receipt of Mental Health care.
Address: Orkney Counselling and Support Centre, The Strynd, Kirkwall, KW15 1HG
Phone: 01856 87 0111
Other details: Independent of any other service. Completely confidential. Child and Young person led service.
Referral: Contact Clare directly on 07894 097 775. Or freephone for CYP on 0800 075 34 31
Type: Voluntary
Anti-social Behaviour Co-ordinator, Orkney Islands Council
To co-ordinate the work of the anti-social behaviour team which includes Northern Constabulary, Orkney Housing Association Ltd, OIC Housing and Environmental Health Derpartments, Children’s Reporter.
Address: Council Offices, School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NY
Phone: 01856 873535 ext 2809
Contact: Eleanor Fraser
Email OIC Anti-social Behaviour Co-ordinator
Type: Statutory
Community Learning & Development Service
Youth work, adult learning & community capacity building.
Address: Council Offices, School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NY
Phone: 01856 873535 ext 2426
Contact: Karen Greaves
Other details: We run youth clubs throughout Orkney for the following age groups: Junior Youth Clubs (8-11); Senior Youth Clubs (12+). We support the development of local Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme programmes. As a new initiative in partnership with KGS and Princes Trust, an ‘xl club’ has been introduced as part of the S3 curriculum choices.
Referral: Youth clubs and other opportunities are advertised locally. Referral of young people with additional support needs should be through Area Community Education Workers.
Type: Statutory
Community Social Services, All Age Disabilities Service
Address: Council Offices, School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NY
Contact: Joe Horrocks, Team Manager, All Age Disabilities Service
Phone: 01856 873535 ext: 2608
Email Joe Horrocks
Contact: Rosemary Ramsay, Social Worker, All Age Disabilities Service
Phone: 01856 873535 ext: 2684
Email Rosemary Ramsay
Contact: Paul O’Loughlin, Social Worker, All Age Disabilities Service
Phone: 01856 873535 ext: 2636
Email Paul O'Loughlin
Contact: Beth Mackinnon, Social Worker, All Age Disabilities Service
Phone: 01856 873535 ext: 2683
Email Beth MacKinnon
Other details: provision of social work services to children & young people with additional support needs and adults with learning and/or physical disabilities.
Referral: Initial point of referral through Children & Families or Adult Social Work Duty Social Worker (where appropriate). This will then be passed to the All Age Disabilities Service for screening.
Links to: Pupils; students; service users; Parents; Carers; siblings; Education, Leisure and Housing Services, Community Social Services, Allied Health Professionals, Training and Employability Services; 3rd Sector
Type: Statutory
Counselling and Family Mediation
Our mediators help families in transition (family breakdown, loss, change, conflict, separation, divorce) to communicate with each other to reach their own decisions about their future. We also help couples who are divorcing to negotiate settlements and contact arrangements for children. Our counsellors work with people experiencing difficulties in their relationships. We also offer a “Surviving the Break-up” service to adults which includes one-to-one CBT and group work.
Address: The Strynd, Kirkwall, Orkney
Phone: 877750
Contact: Helen Moss
Other details: We consult with children and young people during the mediation process to give them a voice and an opportunity to be involved in the decisions that are being made about them. We work with young people who are at risk of homelessness and run group sessions for children and young people who are experiencing loss, change or conflict in their family home. One of our counsellors is currently training as a Children and Young Persons Counsellor.
Referral: Direct contact at The Strynd.
Type: Voluntary
Educational Psychology Service
Apply the knowledge and understanding from research on child development and learning to promote the development and learning of children and young people. Consult with parents and other professionals, and work directly with children and young people. Make joint plans based on assessments made through observation, discussion and formal testing. Provide training for education and allied professionals, and work closely with colleagues from other agencies. Develop collaborative work with other agencies and contribute to their interventions in support of children as individuals or in groups. Carry out research and assist colleagues in gathering evidence on which to base policy and action plans.
Address: Pupil Support, Papdale House, Berstane Road, Kirkwall, KW15 1NA
Phone: 01856 874779
Contact: Cathy Lyner
Other details: For information on how we function, please refer to the Protocols Document on the OIC website.
Referral: Please request involvement of a psychologist using the ‘Request for Involvement’ form in the appendix to our Protocols Document (see above).
Links to: Co-ordinator/Registered Family Mediator
Type: Statutory
Employability Orkney Supported Employment
We provide support for people who experience barriers to gaining or sustaining employment. We can help assess their aspirations, skills and needs, direct them to careers advice or jobseeking skill training, and we can work with employers to assess workplaces and working practices, making adjustments so that they can employ the best person for the job regardless of any disability. We work with other agencies to arrange work or voluntary experiences that help to enhance their employability.
Address: Employability Orkney, Garrison Road, Hatston, Kirkwall, KW15 1GN
Phone: 01856 876 605
Referral: Clients are referred by agencies such as Social Services, Community Mental Health, St Colms, Jobcentre Plus, Careers Scotland, etc, or can self refer, or reach us via word of mouth.
Type: Voluntary
Enable Scotland - Orkney and Highlands
Enable Scotland has two functions – firstly to promote and ensure that people with learning disabilities, children and adults, have the same opportunities within their local community and within Britain as others in our society. The second function is to support parents and carers, lobby, educate and generally raise awareness of the needs of this group within our society
Address: The Strynd, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1HL
Phone: 01856 870080
Contact: Sheelagh Barnes
Other details: Head office based in Glasgow with branches throughout Scotland, ranging from supporting individuals to achieve meaningful friendships and supporting others to live within their own homes with support tailored to meet their individual needs.
Referral: Referrals should be made initially to Sheelagh Barnes who will then discuss each applicant to the relevant Enable sector in Orkney.
Links to: National Autistic Society, Voluntary Action Orkney, Advocacy Orkney
Type: Voluntary
Housing Division - Finance and Housing Services
To provide a comprehensive range of housing services, including the provision of advice and assistance, within Orkney and to determine the county’s future housing needs and plan for these to be addressed. In addition the Housing Division manages the Council housing stock and provides a service to homeless people.
Address: Council Offices, School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NY
Phone: 01856 873535
Contact: Denise Brown
Other details: The Division provides, through Out of Hours Accommodation Officers, a homelessness service 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Referral: Individuals can visit, telephone or e-mail the Housing Division, or come along for a face to face meeting or, if preferred, home visits can be arranged. On occasion referrals are made via other agencies or bodies
Links to: Links to a range of organisations both governmental and non-governmental, including private and voluntary sector bodies
Type: Statutory
Jobcentre Plus
To support the Government’s Welfare to Work & Social Inclusion agendas by, helping those furthest removed from the labour market, move closer to work.
Address: Government Buildings, Tankerness Lane, Kirkwall, KW15 1AQ
Phone: 01856 885300
Other details: The above statement relates to unemployed people, those with a health problems & those with caring responsibilities. Our local Personal Advisers act as co-ordinators with weekly contact making relevant referrals to partner providers in the local community and beyond.
Referral: Contact Kirkwall JobcentrePlus at above address or telephone number.
Type: Statutory
Orkney Alcohol Counselling and Advisory Service (OACAS)
We are an independent voluntary organisation that provides free and confidential one to one counselling to young people aged 5-25 years, for a variety of issues including bullying, low self-esteem, alcohol, stress, drugs and self-image.
Address: 6 Bridge Street Wynd, Kirkwall, KW15 1JD
Phone: 01856 874738
Contact: Renate Andrews
Other details: Outreach is possible by arrangement in school or GP surgeries
Referral: Phone, write, email or drop-in
Type: Voluntary
Orkney Childcare Partnership
To provide up-to-date information on early education and childcare services, toddler groups, childminders, nurseries etc, parent support and Triple P parenting courses, training for childcare. To consult with parents and plan services for children. To contribute to the planning processes in Orkney. To provide a network for practitioners who work with children and families, providing information and training in new government initiatives.
Address: Council Offices, School Place, Kirkwall, KW15 1NY
Phone: 01856 873535 ext 2625
Contact: Sandra Leslie
Links to: Triple P (Positive Parenting Programme), childcare information and training, early education and childcare services
Type: Statutory
Orkney Disability Forum
ODF: supports people with disabilities, runs dial a bus accessible transport. ODF is the umbrella organisation for a number of different Orkney based projects such as the Access Panel. The panel campaigns locally and nationally to promote good access for all. The panel is involved in viewing plans for new buildings and commenting on access. The panel can provide access audits, access statements and offer training on disability issues.
Address: Power Station Buildings, Kirkwall,
Phone: 01856 870340
Referral: Anyone with a disability is welcome to join ODF and dial a bus. The Access Panel welcomes anyone with a knowledge or interest in disability issues.
Links to: Orkney Access Panel, SNAP
Type: Voluntary
Outdoor Education
Offering Outdoor Education and learning out of doors to school pupils within Orkney
Address: Council Offices, School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NY
Phone: 01856 873535
Contact: Ron Bulmer
Other details: Activities include: Walking, Orienteering, Problem Solving, Kite Flying, Camping, Canoeing, Kayaking, Raft Building, SCUBA Diving (pool), Sea Kayaking, Archery, Circus Skills, Cycling, Rock Climbing, Abseiling, First Aid Courses, Risk Assessment Training
Referral: Schools
Type: Statutory
Prince’s Trust Scotland
Support and help young people from the ages 14-25
Phone: 01856 821336
Contact: Kirsty Mainland
Other details: Helped set up the XL club in KGS. The Trust in the Highlands & Islands also provides Highland Recharge – a week long residential course – and development awards. Helps to advise and support youth cafes.
Links to: Prince’s Trust, 81a Castle Street, Inverness, IV2 3EA
Type: Voluntary
Relationships Scotland - Orkney
Relationships Scotland - Orkney (RSO), previously Counselling & Family Mediation Orkney, is a voluntary organisation affiliated to national body Relationships Scotland. RSO provides a range of services to support families and promote positive relationships. Mediation helps parents whose relationship has broken down to communicate with each other and to make practical arrangements for their children. Counselling helps individuals, couples, children and young people to explore difficulties and find ways of moving forward. Child Contact Centre helps children and young people affected by family breakdown to keep in touch with adults who are important to them. Family Group Conferences enables families, children and young people to find their own solutions to family issues concerning them.
Address: The Strynd, Kirkwall, Orkney
Phone: 877750
Other details: We also provide Consulting Children in Mediation where the wishes, views and feelings of children can inform the decision that parents make about their future. And we facilitate Parenting Apart, a 3 hour child centred information training to assist parents to support their children through separation and divorce.
Referral: Direct contact at The Strynd.
Type: Voluntary
Samaritans of Orkney
Samaritans provides confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that may lead to suicide. This service, which is available 24 hours a day, is accessed by telephone, email, letter and face-to face contact. Samaritans is also committed to raising awareness of emotional health issues, and is involved in training and outreach activities.
Address: Counselling and Support Centre, The Strynd, Kirkwall, KW15 1HG
Phone: 01856 875875
Contact: Liz Towers
Other details: Orkney is a comparatively small branch and therefore has limited opening hours. However we do offer face-to-face contact by appointment, and our commitment to 24 hour availability is maintained through joint working with a network of other branches throughout UK. In other words, if someone in Orkney telephones Samaritans, they will always get a response, even if the Orkney branch is closed at the time.
Referral: Usually self-referral (although 3rd party referral sometimes with permission of the person) by telephoning helpline 08457 90 90 90 or Orkney branch at 01856 875 875: by email to jo@samaritans.org or by letter to Chris, PO BOX 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA
Type: Voluntary
Skills Development Scotland
To provide career planning/guidance services to individuals during transition.
Address: 2 Albert Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1HP
Phone: 01856 872460
Contact: Kay Hume
Other details: We offer our service in a range of ways that allows the client flexibility while helping us to differentiate levels of service according to need, aiming neither to over nor under serve. We prioritise clients based on needs; e.g. high priority clients are young people identified as not likely to make a smooth transition from school to further/higher education, training or employment and low priority are people able to self help.
Referral: Self referral / Agency or school referral. In person, telephone or e-mail / letter.
Links to: HIE Orkney, OLGF
Type: Statutory
Voluntary Action Orkney
Provision of services for existing voluntary groups and volunteers. Assessment of community needs and the development of new organisations or services to satisfy those needs.
Address: 6 Bridge Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1HR
Phone: 872897
Other details: The Volunteer Centre operates as part of VAO and offers various services including a Youth Development Worker, Befriending Service and Alcohol Issues worker.
Referral: Self referral by phone, fax, email or by calling into the office.
Links to: Voluntary organisations; Volunteer Centre; Counselling and Support Centre
Type: Voluntary
Women's Aid Orkney
Provision of information, advice and support to women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse. We can also provide secure temporary refuge accommodation with on site support and we raise awareness of domestic abuse through training and education.
Address: 6 Bridge Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1HR
Phone: 01856 877900
Contact: Leigh Dowie
Other details: Our office is open 9.30am to 4.30pm every week day. It is advisable to make an appointment and you can arrange to speak to someone outwith our office hours and at a place you will feel safe. Our service is confidential and free. Our staff are trained and sensitive to the difficulties surrounding domestic abuse.
Referral: You can self refer by phoning and making an appointment to see someone or you can ask another agency to refer you. Additional contact: Elaine Young and Lil Wylie, Children & Young People's Outreach Support Worker.
Links to: Domestic abuse.
Type: Voluntary
Orkney Community Directory
Voluntary Action Orkney created the Orkney Community Directory, which contains contact details for all known voluntary and community related organisations in Orkney and is available from the related links section.