The Community Wellbeing Pop-Up Cafés are community-led events organised by local community associations and funded by the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults. They provide a welcoming space for people to connect socially, enjoy free refreshments, and have informal conversations with organisations offering health, wellbeing and support services.
The first café took place in Birsay which marked the start of a programme that will visit communities across Orkney over the next two years, including Cromarty Hall, Deerness, Eday, Evie, Flotta, Harray, Holm and Stenness.
Support services attending in Birsay included NHS Orkney's Ageing Well Team, Health Improvement Team, Improving the Care Journey, Oral Health Team and Primary Care Pharmacy, alongside Community Link Practitioners, CLAN, THAW, Warmworks, Orkney Dance and Fitness, CLDE, Orkney Care and Repair, and the Orkney Carers Lead.
One attendee commented:
This has been wonderful. I've received so much information, all under one roof in my local parish.
Despite a quiet turnout on a dreich day in Birsay, the event generated positive feedback and highlighted the potential of these community-led cafés to bring people together and improve access to support and information locally.
The café also provided a valuable opportunity for organisations to network, learn more about each other's services, and strengthen their ability to signpost people to the right support when needed.
Dates for two cafes have been confirmed with more to follow:
- Eday – 19 September 2026
- Flotta – 20 March 2027
