A partnership between Orkney Housing Association (OHAL), Orkney Blide Trust, Women’s Aid Orkney, with support from Voluntary Action Orkney (VAO) has formed to organise a homelessness prevention conference in Orkney.
Join local community groups, organisations and services to find out about ‘Ask and Act’, a new approach aimed at preventing homelessness earlier and more effectively.
‘Ask and Act’ forms part of the homelessness prevention duties in the new Housing (Scotland) Bill 2025. Informed by people with lived experience and those working on the frontline, ‘Ask and Act’ is designed to help people access support before their situation becomes critical.
All community groups, organisations and services play a crucial role in helping to identify housing issues much earlier - not just those who directly work with homelessness. Whether you are a member of staff, a volunteer or a board or committee member, this event is for you.
Speakers include:
- Grant Campbell, Head of Partnerships and Consulting at Homeless Network Scotland who will host ‘Acting with Hope’, an interactive session which will help attendees understand the impact of ‘Ask and Act’ and how everyone can work together to tackle homelessness.
- Professor Vikki McCall from the University of Stirling who will explore how stigma shapes experiences of ageing, disability, housing adaptations and homelessness, and why these challenges are often intensified in rural and island settings.
Alongside the guest speakers, attendees will also hear from local community groups, organisations and services on their work to prevent homelessness in Orkney.
The event is free to attend and registration in advance is essential.
For more information about the conference contact Tracey Longworth, Director of Housing and Operations at OHAL
