Also in the news / Volunteer praise, sheep health and more…
A HIGHLANDS and Islands MSP has praised a pilot youth volunteer scheme in Shetland which brings together the police and fire services.
Emma Roddick, who recently visited the Lerwick fire and ambulance station, said the programme “clearly means so much” not just to the young volunteers involved in the scheme but also to those in the emergency services who have helped to create it.
The SNP MSP said: “They’ve really created a community in itself for the young people as well as supporting them to become leaders in the wider community – some of the young people even refer to it as a family.
“It was fantastic to hear that around four-fifths of the first volunteers were young women. I hope that this will result in more women taking up a future role in the emergency services.
“As someone who has worked in the ambulance service, I know what a rewarding career it can be, so it is brilliant to see Shetland leading the way on this, ensuring young people have a greater understanding and respect for a role in the emergency services and supporting them to pursue one in future if they wish.”
THE SHETLAND Animal Health Scheme (SAHS) is calling on sheep owners to take advantage of free health investigations for their animals this winter.
The scheme aims to provide a better understanding of any diseases or pathologies present in Shetland flocks, and can help owners identify what actions need to be taken to increase the health and productivity of their animals.
All types of sheep, not just imported ones, are eligible for these investigations.
The scheme – running thanks to funding from the Coastal Communities Fund – covers veterinary visits, sample collection and testing, lung scans (including OPA) at the vet’s discretion and post-mortem examinations for any fallen stock.
As the funding is limited, it will be allocated on a first come first served basis, and is available until the 31 December. To access the scheme contact Shetland Vets on 01595 810546 to arrange a visit or examination.
Shetland Islands Council’s veterinary advisor Hilary Burgess said: “This is an amazing opportunity for farmers and crofters to get vets out to investigate disease in their flocks.”
THE SHETLAND Young Promoters Group is hosting the Mareel student night this winter.
The event will be a free, non-ticketed event on the 27 November. The gig will start at 7.30pm with doors open from 7pm.
Shetland Young Promoters Group, which started back in 2009, is a constituted group of young individuals that strive to make the local creative industry more accessible for young people.
Anyone aged 12 to 25 who would like to get involved are invited to email the group on shetlandyoungpromoters@gmail.com or drop in to one of its weekly meetings in the creative education space in Mareel on Fridays from 3.30pm to 5pm.
NEW social housing in Walls has become available.
Hjaltland Housing Association’s new Forralea development includes four two-bedroom homes.
They are available to all Hjaltland applicants and all transfer applicants.
SHETLAND Islands Council (SIC) expects tenants to be in its newly rebuilt houses in Sandveien in the coming weeks.
The eight properties were shown to local media in August but at the time of writing they are still not occupied.
Work nearly complete on eight rebuilt Sandveien council houses
A spokesperson for the SIC said the local authority had hoped to have tenants in the properties this month, but it is waiting for final testing and commissioning to allow sign-off by building control.
“We’re hoping for that work to be completed in the next couple of weeks,” they added.
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