Projects

🌳SOAP Outdoor Activities

SDT continues to support SOAP outdoor activities, which have been well attended so far.

Sadly we had to cancel the last one because of weather and ferry cancellations.

The next dates will be 14-15th February,

14th - 15th March, 28-29th March.

Pop the dates in your diaries and keep an eye out for our booking posters.

🔬 British Science Week

“Waste to Warmth to Growth”

SDT has been awarded a small grant by British Science Week to deliver a project called “Waste to Warmth to Growth”.

Taking place 6th - 8th March,

pop the date in your diaries!

The project shows how waste cardboard becomes fuel, ash becomes compost, and compost supports growing – a full circular economy story, right here on Stronsay.

We will share news of all the activities we will be holding for all residents shortly.

✂️Sewing & Mending Workshops

We’re planning sewing and mending workshops funded through the OIC Circular Economy Crisis Grant.

These sessions will focus on repair, reuse, and practical skills, with SDT staff working alongside the Men’s Shed to deliver hands-on, friendly workshops for the community. We are looking to commence these mid February.

❤️Community❤️ Defibrillators

THANK YOU!

Viv has kindly been volunteering to regularly check and report in relation to our Island SDT registered Defibrillator since outset.

She has now handed this over to staff.

We take this opportunity to thank Viv for all her work carrying out these regular checks and records online for our community.

Regular checks will now be shared between staff,

with records updated on the national Heartbeat system,

helping ensure defibs are always ready when needed.

❤️£1,500 Grant Boost for Community Health Support❤️

We are delighted to share that a £1,500 grant has been awarded by Orkney Heart Support Group to support Geramount Surgery in purchasing equipment that will directly benefit our community

The funding will enable the Surgery to invest in items that enhance local health provision and support the wellbeing of residents on Stronsay . Dr Wassim is currently working on developing a list of equipment to be purchased, ensuring that the funding is used where it will have the greatest impact for patients .

We are extremely grateful to the team at Orkney Heart Support Group for their generosity and continued commitment to improving health outcomes across Orkney’s communities. Their support highlights the importance of partnership working in sustaining vital local services in our island communities .

We look forward to sharing updates once the items have been purchased and are in use

👫Youth Club

We’ve received confirmation from Orkney Islands Council that applications were received during the last recruitment round. This is great news and we hope to hear further from OIC in due course.

💻 Cellnex – Technology Support Workshops

'Tea and Tech'

Thanks to Cellnex funding, we’ll be running technology advice sessions to help people with everyday digital needs. We are just waiting on the funds to be sent through to purchase the technology to support these sessions.

These workshops will be supported by community transport, making them accessible to as many people as possible.

🚲HiTrans – Active Travel & Cycling (Grant Awarded)

Great news – SDT has secured a small grant fund from HiTrans to support local cycling and active travel. A full back-office system will be purchased using the HiTrans grant, making it easier to run and sustain cycling opportunities on the island for our community members and visitors utilising our EV bike.

🌍 Island Mobility & Climate Action

SDT is finalising the Island Mobility Transport Report for submission to CES ECOP.

We’re also continuing work on our Climate Action reporting, expanding this to include farming and fish farm activity, helping ensure island realities are reflected in climate planning.

🧠North Isles Wellbeing – Exploring a New Project

While Stronsay doesn’t currently have a dedicated Wellbeing project, we’re exploring whether a joint North Isles approach could work. This could lead to a long-term wellbeing project, potentially funded through the National Lottery, bringing coordinated support across several islands. This is at an exploratory stage.

Place Plan

A huge thank you to everyone who came along to our Place Plan session! Your input was very valuable - here are some of the key takeaways from our discussions

Feeling Safe:

Some feedback about gaps in the Emergency Plan

A call for better collaboration with services like the police, and more support for folks coming home from hospital. Maybe a "Welcome Home, Here’s Your Care Package" program?

Care and Maintenance:

More bins, please! We’re all for recycling, just as long as it doesn’t mean fighting with the bin lid.

Influence and Sense of Control: A lot of you want more say in what happens around here.

Also, a lot of support for reopening the polling station in Stronsay – we hear voting by post isn’t nearly as exciting as walking to a real polling station.

Social Interaction:

Bring back the events! From science festivals to music gigs, it sounds like we need more chances to dance like no one’s watching.

There were also some heartfelt requests for home visits – because, let’s face it, sometimes all you need is a friendly face to brighten your day.

Natural Space:

Our beaches are beautiful, but let’s be real – they could use a little better access, especially for those who prefer rolling to the beach in a wheelchair instead of climbing rocks.

A lot of love for tree planting and gardening! Who knew we had such a green-fingered bunch?

Housing and Facilities:

More affordable housing! Because if we’re going to keep attracting teachers, nurses, and people who know how to fix things, we need somewhere for them to live.

Transport and Accessibility:

Better ferry and bus connections – and no, "just swim across" was not an acceptable solution.

The disabled access on ferries? Definitely needs a bit of a makeover, or as one person suggested: “A ferry fit for the 21st century!”

Work and Economy:

More job opportunities and apprenticeships! And yes, we’ve heard your plea for more opportunities for "young lasses" (they’re the future of this island, after all).

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and ideas with us! We’re excited to turn these into real plans.

We’re looking forward to continuing this work with the Community Council and the Community Association to bring the Place Plan to life! Together, we’ll make sure these ideas become reality and that everyone has a voice in shaping the future of our wonderful island.

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