Also in the news – 5 August 2026
- Mind Your Head anniversary
- BP reports record profits
- Call to celebrate local high street
- MSP welcomes longer opening hours for walk-in clinic
MENTAL health charity Mind Your Head is planning a series of events to mark its 20th anniversary next year.
Mind Your Head was set up in 2005 following the death of Gary Manson who had struggled with his mental health for some time. Gary’s family set up the charity in his memory to raise awareness and understanding around mental health.
Two years later the organisation became a registered charity which today employs 16 staff and offers six different services and three weekly groups.
Shona Manson, one of the founders of the charity, said: “When we lost our brother Gary over 20 years ago, our family could never have imagined that something so positive would grow from such devastating loss.
“Mind Your Head was created in his memory with a simple hope – that by talking more openly about mental health and supporting one another, fewer families would have to experience what we did.”
Current chief executive Anouska Civico added: “To be a part of this amazing charity is a privilege, and I can’t wait to share with everyone what is coming up in the next few weeks.”
OIL AND gas giant BP has reported record profits of $5.7 billion in the second quarter of this year, $2.5 billion higher than in the previous quarter.
The latest figures come just days after the company announced it was looking to sell its North Sea business including the Glen Lyon, Clair and Clair Ridge assets to the west of Shetland.
The company’s new chief executive Meg O’Neill described the last three months as “one of the most disrupted periods in the global energy market”.
“Through that, bp’s team has stepped up, working tirelessly to keep energy flowing for our customers,” she added.
TELEVISION presenter Sean Batty is urging people to celebrate their high street heroes and get their nominations in for the 2026 Scotland Loves Local Awards – before the closing date of 14 August.
He said: “The Scotland Loves Local Awards are about celebrating the people and businesses in your community who go above and beyond – as well as the innovation, ambition and determination which is forging a better future for the places we call home.”
A High Street Hero Award will be presented in each Scottish Parliament region, including the Highlands and Islands.
Award nominations can be made at https://lovelocal.scot/awards-2026/where full category criteria can also be found.
Winners will be announced in October.
SHETLAND’s SNP MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad has welcomed plans by NHS Shetland to trial evening opening hours at its GP walk-in clinic from next week.
Shetland News reported this week that the clinic will be open weekdays from 5pm to 8pm starting next Monday.
NHS Shetland trialling evening opening hours at Lerwick walk-in clinic
Goodlad said: “Anything that allows busy people, whether they be, carers, parents or working people, to access healthcare is welcomed, making preventative and early-intervention health care a rule, rather than an exception, for the people of Shetland.
“I would like to commend those managing and working in the scheme for their commitment.
“The SNP led Scottish Government are committed to trialling new, bold and innovative ways to provide healthcare in Scotland – thinking out of the box – but, more importantly, it is vital that Shetlanders have access to the medical care that they need, no matter how busy their lives.”
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