Orkney Success at the SURF Awards

By theorkneynews on December 7, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

Two projects from Orkney are celebrating their success winning in this year’s SURF awards.

Papay Community Cooperative (Papa Westray) came top in the Community Led Regeneration category. It is a “Cooperative aimed to rejuvenate an economically challenged remote island community by establishing a social and economic hub.”

Westray won in the Scotland’s Most Improved Place Category . It described its mission “to develop the economic, social and cultural sustainability of Westray by harnessing the quality of its resources, people and island environment. “

Westray SURF winners

SURF is Scotland’s regeneration forum:

“SURF’s overall objective is to improve the lives and opportunities of residents in Scotland’s disadvantaged communities.”

Established in 1992 SURF is a network where the sharing of good practice takes place and where support can be found.

The awards were announced at a celebratory function in Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel.

Other winners were:

Findhorn Bay Arts (Forres): in the Creative Regeneration category
Chapelpark: A New Beginning (Angus): in the Housing category
Pathfinder Programme (Glasgow): in the Youth Employability: Overcoming Barriers category

Kate Wimpress, Chair of SURF said:

“The independent panel of judges have once again been impressed by the commitment, creativity and care for both project and people, in all shortlisted initiatives. SURF looks forward to sharing these stories of what works, across Scotland and beyond.”

Papa Westray SURF winners

Aileen Campbell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Communities in the Scottish Government said:

“I am delighted to be involved with the annual SURF Awards for the first time, as it celebrates its 20^th anniversary. The shortlisted applications are an inspiration and testament to what is possible when communities are empowered and proactive in shaping their own futures. The SURF Awards remain an outstanding platform for identifying and showcasing successful community regeneration across Scotland.”