SPRINGBOARD local assembly for creative climate action: Orkney

Culture for Climate Scotland is collaborating with Community Energy Scotland, Islands Centre for Net Zero, artist Louise Barrington, Stromness Museum, Tackling Household Affordable Warmth (THAW) Orkney, The Highlands and Islands Climate Hub and many organisations across Scotland to deliver a series of local assemblies for creative climate action. This local assembly will focus on creative climate collaboration to support a resilient future for Orkney.

This will be the third local assembly in Orkney, following earlier iterations in July 2023 and September 2024.

SPRINGBOARD brings together artists, cultural and sustainability organisations, climate workers, activists, local businesses, third-sector organisations and anyone interested in collaborating to form powerful local networks for creative climate action. Local assemblies are an opportunity to connect with other practitioners in your region to address climate change collectively. The events are for anyone working or volunteering in the climate or environmental sector, the arts, screen, creative industries, museums, heritage and libraries.

Agenda

Tea and coffee will be provided upon arrival at 9.30am.

• 10am: Welcome and introduction to resilience by Culture for Climate Scotland.
• 10.15am: Stories of individual and household resilience. Contributions from: Stromness Museum and THAW Orkney.
• 11am: Comfort break.
• 11.15am: Stories of community and regional resilience. Contributions from: University of the Highlands and Islands Orkney and the Island Centre for Net Zero.
• 12pm: Lunch.
• 1pm: Transition lab: exploring a future beyond 'fossil-fuelness'. Facilitated by Dr Paolo Cherubini.
• 2.30pm: Comfort break.
• 2.40pm: Silent reflection. Facilitated by Culture for Climate Scotland.
• 3.15pm: Close.

After the event, attendees are invited to stay for further networking.

About our speakers and facilitators

• Becky Ford, Island Community Action Network Development Officer with Island Centre for Net Zero, Community Energy Scotland
• Joanne Kaar, artist, UHI Orkney TRANSECTS project
• Michael Butler, Innovation & Development Lead, THAW Orkney
• Dr Paolo Cherubini, post-doctoral research associate, Island Centre for Net Zero
• Sam Stringer, Natural History Collections Project Outreach & Engagement Facilitator, Stromness Museum

About our collaborators

Community Energy Scotland is Scotland’s only national charity dedicated to supporting communities across Scotland to develop their own decarbonisation and renewable energy projects.

Louise Barrington is a multidisciplinary artist using film, movement, textiles, and sculpture. Her practice focuses on the aesthetic and environmental aspects of the landscape experienced over the four seasons, weaving together a tapestry of people and place.

Islands Centre for Net Zero will address the need for fundamental change in how we approach the energy transition across Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.

Stromness Museum is an independent museum based in Stromness, Orkney. The Museum exists to promote natural science, to preserve local history and to offer an enjoyable educational and informative experience to as large a range of people as possible.

Tackling Household Affordable Warmth (THAW) Orkney is a charity with the mission: 'To work for households in all Orkney communities to reduce levels of fuel poverty and achieve affordable warmth'.

The Highlands and Islands Climate Hub is funded by the Scottish Government and has the purpose of supporting community-led climate action across the region.

Accessibility

Getting here

King Street Halls is well served by public transport.

The Kirkwall Travel Centre on West Castle Street is less than 600m from King Street.

Dial-a-Bus is a door-to-door accessible bus service for elderly and disabled people in Orkney. It is available from 8 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week, on the main island and the linked south isles.

Stagecoach is the local bus operator and runs bus services into Kirkwall from Stromness, Deerness and the Haston Ferry Terminal. Timetables can be found on the Stagecoach website.

The Haston Ferry Terminal, where Orkney Ferries operates inter-island ferries, is approximately 3km from King Street Halls. There are buses between the ferry terminal and Kirkwall. Timetables can be found on the Stagecoach website.

Internal access

The front entrance to King Street Halls is wheelchair accessible. There are two accessible bathrooms on the ground floor.

Do you need support to attend?

Culture for Climate Scotland is committed to ensuring that our events are accessible for everyone, regardless of their disability, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, economic status or caring responsibility.

We will make any necessary adjustments to our events so that no one is excluded. These adjustments will, most likely, differ from event-to-event and person-to-person, so we need your help to get it right. In the past, we have provided quiet spaces, British Sign Language interpreters and internet dongles for portable internet access. We now provide access packs including ear defenders, sensory supports and reading overlays at in-person events.

Some adjustments may take more time to arrange than others, so we appreciate you giving us as much notice as possible about what you need so that we can support you to get the most out of this event.

Please inform us of your accessibility requirements for this event during the registration process. If you have any questions or concerns, please send an email to eleanor.white@cultureforclimate.scot or telephone +44 (0)131 243 2760 and speak to a member of Culture for Climate Scotland staff.