What to do with single- use plastics is a huge problem not just for Orkney but globally. It was this issue that has led two enterprising girls from the West Mainland, Orkney to take top prize at a UK event.

Lucy Leech and Hope Laing from the West Mainland Youth Achievement Group travelled to London this week to present their idea for transforming single-use plastics into toys at the national ‘Money for Life’ event.

Their win has secured £500 funding for their youth group.

‘Money for Life’ is a Financial Education Programme, delivered by Youth Scotland on behalf of UK Youth, and funded by Lloyds Banking Group, aimed at equipping 16-25 year olds across the UK with the knowledge, life skills and provision needed to manage their money.

Orkney Islands Councils Community and Learning Development (CLD) team worked with Youth Scotland to roll out this programme with various youth groups and staff receiving sessions on the topic.

CLD Community Learning Officer, Cheryl Rafferty, said:

“It really raises the profile of Orkney, and the importance of financial education, as well as some of the community projects that Orkney’s young people are involved in.

“This is exactly what we want to do, especially in the Year of Young People.  It is an excellent opportunity for the young people attending and they certainly did Orkney proud.”

Kobi Cooke, Development Worker with Youth Scotland said:

“This project was not only a credit to Orkney but to the whole of Scotland. The whole team at Youth Scotland are hugely grateful for the young people’s efforts and feel that the project they have created has the potential for huge community benefit. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Orkney Islands Council’s Community Learning and Development team and all the colleagues and young people who made this project such a success.”

Lucy and Hope have now returned to Orkney to join the rest of their group to take part in a local ‘dragon’s den’ style event next week – Shark Attack – , showcasing their ideas to a panel of five local business people alongside three other teams from around Orkney.

The Shark Attack event will take place on 17 April at the Sound Archive in Kirkwall. It is not open to the public but you can  follow the event on the CLD Facebook page.

The judging panel are:

• Karen Scholes – Director and Shareholder of Scholes Ltd, local chartered accountants and business advisory firm.
• Craig Spence – Chief Executive of Orkney Housing Association Ltd
• Gwenda Shearer – an Orkney Islands Councillor since 2012
• Ivan Houston – Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor with Scholes Ltd
• Michael Morrison – Business Development Manager for Orkney Islands Council’s Marine Services
  

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