Welcome Back Orkney

Communities Recovery Fund 2

The Community Recovery Fund 2 was a Scottish Government Fund to support communities move from Covid lockdown to recovery. It was managed on their behalf by Highlands & Islands Enterprise.

Following consultation with Development Trusts and assessing survey responses from Community Associations and Halls, VAO developed an application to the Community Recovery Fund 2. The aim of the project was to support Community Halls and spaces to confidently re-open and resume activities ‘in person’, and for residents across Orkney to feel confident attending activities, socialising and learning in a safe and secure environment.

Our key themes for the project were:

Advice and Support

Providing advice and guidance with the practical requirements for a safe community space.

Training

In a variety of areas such as Emergency First Aid and An Introduction to Food Hygiene.

Restarting activities

Support to re-start activities including the purchase of equipment such as CO2 monitors, minor alterations to improve supply of PPE and disposable cutlery, crockery etc.

The Orkney-wide Coffee Morning

To celebrate all that is special about our community halls and Welcome Back our Orkney communities.

The project took place between September 2021 and March 2022, and. Although hampered by the level of Covid infections in Orkney due to the Omicron Variant:

• Nine halls took part in the Orkney-wide Coffee Morning
• Eleven halls had improved internet installed
• Twenty-six venues received CO2 monitors
• Twenty-five Hall Committees received a goodie box of bunting, disposable crockery and cutlery for public events
• Twenty-five venues received a supply of hand sanitizer and masks
• Fifteen venues were supported with a variety of equipment including new chairs, cleaning equipment, computer devices and other materials for re-opening
• Eighteen volunteers undertook Food Hygiene courses
• Twenty-four places were made available for volunteers to undertake Emergency First Aid training

We would like to thank all the Community venues who took part in the project, and our Co-ordinators, Kirsty, Chris and Ceri, for supporting the Halls and organising all the activities.