Voluntary Action Orkney (VAO) is helping Loughborough University find people living in Orkney’s ferry-linked isles to take part in research looking at what households need for an acceptable standard of living in 2026. This is the second part of the research with Kirkwall residents having been consulted last month.
Orkney Islands Council is one of four island local authorities that have commissioned Loughborough University to carry out the research. The study was originally carried out in 2012, reviewed in 2020 and is now being updated.
The research recognises that living in an island community can bring different or additional costs and needs compared with other parts of the UK. The findings will help identify these differences and highlight the issues that affect household affordability in island communities.
The research is being carried out by the Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP) at Loughborough University, working with a researcher based in the Highlands. The research team follows strict ethical and legal standards, including the requirements of data protection law and the Social Research Association.
People who take part will be invited to join one of three online focus groups led by professional researchers. Each session will last around three hours. After attending, participants will receive an £80 voucher for Co-op, Tesco or Amazon as a thank you for their time.
The discussions will use example case studies, so participants will not be asked to provide personal information. The findings will support Orkney Islands Council and other organisations in understanding what people need to achieve an acceptable standard of living and take part fully in society.
The research team is looking for people of working age and older who live in the ferry-linked isles and come from a range of household types. Full-time students are not eligible to take part.
Places are limited. Researchers will select participants to ensure a good mix of ages, genders and household circumstances. Those who apply will be contacted to confirm whether they have been selected for a focus group.
The focus groups will take place online via Zoom on the following dates:
- Wednesday 18 November 2026, 6.30pm–9.30pm – working-age people with no dependants in the household
- Monday 23 November 2026, 6.30pm–9.30pm – parents with children in the household
- Monday 30 November 2026, 10.00am–1.00pm – retired people and pensioners
If you live in one of Orkney’s ferry-linked isles and would like to take part, please fill out the online form.
