Based 10 miles off the north coast of Scotland, Orkney is home to around 22,000 people.
For 10 years, we have been part of a close-knit and innovative community, working with the locals in the inner and outer isles, and supporting children to adults who are going through tough times.
Having a safe place to call home is a crucial first step in helping us all feel secure. But we know that people need to feel healthier and happier within themselves to become more independent and be able to make lasting change in their life.
By offering wrap around emotional and practical support, we are able to meet people where they are in life, offering the right support at the right time.
We simply couldn’t do what we do without the support of the local community, and we care deeply about the relationships and support from the schools, businesses, local residents, and other charities, who share our mission in preventing people becoming homeless.
On average we support 40 people each day across Orkney with tailored support from our For People, At Home and In the Community programmes.
“My counsellor, Noreen, went out of her way to find resources that helped me, recommending books, articles, and films, along with our discussions.”
For People: Counselling
- For children and young people up to the age of 25 to speak to a trained psychologist about any worries or anxieties in their life.
- Last year, we supported 71 young people to help them talk through their feelings and improve their mental health
- With an increase in other mental health services, our counselling allows the people we support to access counselling services quickly when they really need it in crisis.
“My support workers provide me with resources I might need to help my situation as well as supporting me through it.”
At Home: Supported Accommodation
- Located in two areas of Orkney, Stromness and Kirkwall. We support 13 young adults each night with a safe and supportive place to live.
- Our dedicated Support Workers work with the people we support to provide emotional and practical support that develop personal and life skills, create connections with the community, improve relationships with themselves and with their family and friends.
- 92% of people who have been supported by our accommodation services have moved on to permanent accommodation or returned to family or friends.
“Since moving into my own tenancy I’ve been supported by the wellbeing team. It’s given me the help I needed with my addiction issues and I’ve been able to start a full-time job.”
In the Community: Outreach Support
- We provide both practical and wellbeing support for people living in our supported accommodation, moving to permanent accommodation and in their own homes.
- Our tailored support varies depending on the person’s needs, and often it’s the simple act of being a shoulder to lean on and having a trusted person to talk to which can the most important thing for the people we support.
- Examples of support include focusing on harm reduction as a way of helping people affected by drug and alcohol use, offering a range of practical and wellbeing support, including help setting up bills, and connecting people with local opportunities or reaching personal goals or pursuing hobbies.
- We work with multiple partners across the community to ensure that the support is accessible for those who need it.
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If you are looking for support in Orkney contact us at hello@rightthere.org
