Cost of Living Task Force

Cost of Living Task Force was initially set up as a short life working group but is now a full Delivery Group that will address the immediate crisis and the underlying causes of poverty in Orkney. That crisis is showing no indication that it is receding, as is demonstrated by the 2023 figures from The Orkney Foodbank.

The Task Force has drawn together the actions from Orkney’s Child Poverty Strategy, and the Orkney Food Dignity Report into a single action plan. When the Orkney Fuel Poverty Strategy is finalised, any additional actions will be incorporated into this plan.

The Orkney Partnership produced the Orkney Child Poverty Strategy 2022-2026 and the Orkney Local Child Poverty Action Report 2021-2022 (see below).

The Cost of Living Task Force will also be taking forward many of the actions identified in the Report on Food Dignity report produced by Voluntary Action Orkney and the Partnership.

• Orkney Child Poverty Strategy 2022-2026
• Orkney Local Child Poverty Action Report 2022-23
• Food Dignity Recommendations Report

Orkney Money Matters

One of the priorities identified in both the Food Dignity Recommendations Report and the Child Poverty Strategy is the need for greater cash based support for those in a low income, so they do not have to rely on food banks and other forms of support in kind. Cash allows households to get exactly the support they know they need rather than for others to choose for them.

Voluntary Action Orkney, along with Orkney CAB, the Blide Trust , THAW, the Council and other partners, have developed Orkney Money Matters. This partnership will ensure that households get the advice they need to access the cash based support they need. 

The project has received funds from Orkney Islands Council, the Scottish Government and this Cost of Living Task Force (see below).

More details about this project is available here. 

Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund

***Fund Now Open for 2025-26 Applications***

The Orkney Community Planning Partnership is pleased to announce that the Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund (ICCEF) 2025/26 is now open for applications. With £214,000 allocated to Orkney by the Scottish Government’s Islands Team, the fund will provide immediate support to individuals, families, and communities most affected by the ongoing cost of living crisis, with a strong focus on tackling child poverty.

Organisations across Orkney are invited to submit proposals for projects that will deliver direct support to those in need. Grants will typically be under £25,000, although exceptional proposals may be considered for larger awards.

How to Apply
Organisations can apply for funding by submitting a proposal form (here), or available by contacting: [email protected].

Deadline: 12 noon, Thursday 14 August 2025

For queries, contact George Vickers at [email protected] 

Impact of the Fund in 2024/25
Last year, the fund enabled a wide range of projects across Orkney, including:

• Support for Older People: Age Scotland Orkney provided winter fuel grants, helping 166 households stay warm and access benefits.
• Youth and Family Support: Youth Cafés distributed free self-care items to over 120 young people, while Home-Start Orkney delivered baby weaning and first aid training to families.
• Community Hubs and Meals: Stronsay Island Development Trust ran weekly winter hubs and hot meal events, reaching over 80 individuals.
• School Participation Fund: Enabled children to attend school trips, access clothing and equipment, and participate in extracurricular activities—benefiting 251 children from 138 families.
• Fuel Poverty Relief: Orkney Money Matters and THAW (Orkney’s fuel poverty charity) provided vouchers, energy efficiency upgrades, and emergency support to households in extreme fuel poverty.
• Christmas Grants: Orkney Charitable Trust supported 390 children with festive grants, helping families in crisis during the winter season.

Last year, over 1,500 people, including hundreds of children, received direct support from the fund. The full report is here.

A Community Approach
The projects supported by this fund in 2024/25 were delivered by a range of local organisations including Age Scotland Orkney, Orkney Housing Association Ltd., Orkney Food Bank, THAW, Home-Start Orkney, Citizens Advice Bureau, Orkney Charitable Trust, schools, youth clubs, and development trusts.

By working with organisations that already supported households in need, the partnership ensured it went to those most in need.

A Call to Action
The 2025/26 round will build on this success to further strengthen community resilience, tackle poverty, and ensure those most in need are supported with dignity.

The Orkney Community Planning Partnership encourages all eligible organisations to consider how they can contribute to alleviating hardship in their communities and submit proposals for this year’s fund.

Stephen Brown, chair of the partnership’s Cost of Living Task Force, said:

“Together, we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those most affected by the cost of living crisis in Orkney.”

More information about this priority and how we plan to measure it is available in the Orkney Community Plan 2023/30 available here.