About Us

VAO supports the third sector in Orkney by providing advice, information and practical services. The third sector is made up of voluntary, community and charitable groups, social enterprises and volunteers. VAO is a Third Sector Interface (TSI), part of a national network with four main aims:

  • Central Source of Knowledge: third sector locally; local and national policy and how it might affect the local third sector, communities and citizens; how third sector can contribute to these agendas 
  • Voice: ensuring a strong third sector voice at strategic level within local planning structures and nationally
  • Capacity Building: developing the capacity of volunteering, community groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises to achieve positive change 
  • Connect: providing leadership, vision and co-ordination to the local third sector to better respond to local priorities, including through partnership and collaboration 

Our Vision

“Orkney has sustainable, resilient, inclusive communities with a thriving third sector at their heart”

Our Values

The pursuit of excellence, to be flexible and responsive, ethical, open and honest, committed to collaborative working, committed to equalities, fairness and human rights, and to nurture and develop our staff and volunteers. 

Voluntary Action Orkney is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. We are governed by a Board of Directors who are all elected from our membership. Our Strategy Plan 2023-2026 identifies our priorities and sets out how we will achieve these.

Our Annual Report gives an overview of the services and activities we offer and is presented to members each year at our AGM. The full version includes a copy of our audited accounts 2022/23.

Registered in Scotland No 143208.
Registered Office: Anchor Buildings, 6 Bridge Street, Kirkwall, KW15 1HR.

Registered Scottish Charity No SCO10691

EFQM Committed to Excellence
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  • Orkney Community Directory

    View our comprehensive list of community and voluntary groups in Orkney along with other organisations and services that may be of interest to you.

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