Also in the news / Holiday club report, children’s panel members sought and more …
ABILITY Shetland’s ASN holiday club has received a positive report from inspectors after an unannounced visit in July.
Inspectors made the surprise inspection on 23 July, rating the club’s setting and staff team as “very good”.
The leadership and care, play and learning at the holiday club were also given “good” ratings by inspectors.
The service was located at the Anderson High School during the visit, with children having access to a gym hall, music room, soft play, kitchen and sensory rooms, as well as direct access to outdoor spaces.
Inspectors found during the visit that children were treated with “kindness and respect”, and received “nurturing care and support from staff who knew them well.”
“Children had fun and took part in experiences they really enjoyed,” they said.
It said they saw children being “very active outdoors”, with some going swimming, some for walks to beaches or parks, and others shopping for ingredients to bake.
“During these experiences, tailored to their interests, we saw children develop very important life skills,” they said.
No follow-up inspection will be required as a result of the report.
CONCERNS have been raised about whether Lerwick Community Council’s Loot for Lerwick scheme – which offers money to local community groups – is a fair way of distributing cash.
Lerwick councillor John Fraser said there was a “fundamental flaw” in participatory budgeting events like Loot for Lerwick.
A funding pot worth £5,000 was on offer at the latest Loot for Lerwick event in February 2024, with the public voting on which groups should get a share of the money.
But Fraser said the groups that were often successful at such events were the ones who could mobilise the most people to come and vote for them.
He said a sports organisation for young people would be more likely to get people through the door to vote for them than a “little bit more niche” group for elderly people, which might be just “as deserving”.
“Participatory budgeting can have that fundamental flaw at times,” he said.
LCC chairman Jim Anderson said the majority of folk going to the Loot for Lerwick events would go around the room and see what all of the groups were doing.
He added they might come to vote for one group, but would often find out about other organisations and vote for them as well.
PANEL members are being sought in Shetland for the children’s hearings system.
Children’s hearings are legal meetings set up because there are concerns about the wellbeing or care of an infant, child or young person.
At each hearing, three panel members make legal decisions with and for the infant, child or young person. In the past year more than 70 hearings took place in Shetland.
Applications to become a panel member opened on and close on Monday 6 October.
Anyone interested in becoming a member can find out more and apply at the CHS website.
VOLUNTARY Action Shetland (VAS) has posted its annual report for 2024/25, with executive officer Lynn Tulloch paying tribute to a strong year.
Tulloch said VAS had seen increased demand for its support and volunteering services, with a “steady increase” in groups/organisations requesting help.
She added VAS had provided input into a national consultation on the implementation of PVG charges.
“The outcome, of which we were delighted about, was that costs did not significantly rise and PVG’s will remain free of charge for volunteers,” Tulloch said.
She added that both the Shetland Befriending Scheme and Shetland Carers, which sit under VAS, have also been busy this year.
VAS chairman Magnus Flaws said it was “wonderful” that they were able to recognise 164 young people at their annual Saltire Awards event in June 2024.
“It was wonderful that we were able to recognise their achievements and support organisations to help develop and enhance young people’s key life skills,” he said.
“It’s great to see such rich community spirit, and much of our local activities are so reliant on volunteers helping others in all manner of roles.”
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