Young Islanders Network

03/08/2026

Opportunity for Western Isles young people to have their say on island housing.

"It is no secret that access to housing is a major issue in the islands, and the current way of measuring housing demand heavily based on numbers on waiting lists is not accurately conveying demand. Data from those that live away, and demand from business and community organisations, is not recorded.

The survey ‘Home is calling, is housing stopping you?’ is live through the summer until the 1st of September 2026. The data gathered will help shape new approaches to measuring housing demand and inform future decision-making.

Public Survey -> https://forms.gle/BuPaB2XP9U4JAfmH9

03/08/2026

Young Islanders Network will be getting creative and bringing along a workshop to share your island words, culture and heritage with grafitti art with Community Learning & Development Orkney. If drawing isn't your thing, model it in clay - we know you love the air clay!

See you all there!

30/07/2026

Throwback to our Living Labs visit to The James Hutton Institute

One of our young members and youth worker at OPEN Shetland documented the journey. It's not just about making space for youth voice in island decision making but sharing experiences with other island community groups. Providing opportunities for young islanders includes sharing their views in their own way, as well as all the practical skills needed in navigating on and off island events.

What a great way to share the journey!

28/07/2026

“This course gave me the confidence to completely change my career plans since graduating. I now have contacts and support within the animation industry to help me reach my career goals.” — Animation Academy Participant

Screen Argyll’s Animation Academy is an online course for 16–25 year olds across Scotland, including young people living on the islands and in rural communities.

Join from wherever you live, meet other young people from rural and island places, learn from professional animators and filmmakers, and create your own animation.

The course costs £25, and bursaries are available. Animation Academy is funded by Screen Scotland.

Sign-ups are open now — apply today: https://screenargyll.co.uk/animationacademy/

Screen Argyll

23/07/2026

Orkney YLAG have kindly shared the invitation to YIN members. We'll provide an opportunity to meet in person ir online.

Join us for our conversation with Kristopher Leask, an excellent opportunity to ask questions to the youngest person from Orkney to be elected as an MSP! If you can't make it to the venue (TBC), there will be the option to join online! If you have any questions or would like to come along send us a message and we'll get back to you with further details nearer the time.

19/07/2026

What a fabulous weekend at HebCelt! Our young members volunteering did an amazing job engaging with young people to contribute to our 'one word' graffiti art. We heard about community, friendships, and connection through music and that's a great way to sum up this heartfilled festival. We've had such a great time with young people celebrating their culture, heritage and language in action with excitement and pride. HebCelt Festival

17/07/2026

UHI NWH Stornoway are joining us in the tent. What future role could you have at HebCelt Festival? Festival Director, journalist or Headliner? You can shape future opportunities.

And our young people are sharing their 'one word' with us out in the sun 🌞

16/07/2026

Hello to our new followers!
Come and see us at the Youth Tent at HebCelt Festival and share your 'one word'. Doodle and graffiti and tell us what your island culture and community means to you. Young people are shaping their island heritage, not from behind a glass box but living it and we want your voice to be heard!

15/07/2026

What a start to HebCelt! On our way to Stornoway tonight and the Commonwealth Games King's Baton was en route too! This leg of the relay was handed over to HM Coastguard on the MV Seaforth to make it's way to the Isle of Lewis.
Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games HebCelt Festival