The report of the recent community engagement project ‘Nort Natters’ has been published today.
The Nort Natters project began in August 2022 to better understand how people who live, work and study in the north mainland of Shetland experience the place where they live. The project also aimed to understand the current and future needs of local communities, with the aim of improving the quality of life and services in the area.
The project was led by Shetland Islands Council with contributions and engagement from partners across public services, voluntary organisations, and over 500 members of the community.
Emma MacDonald, Council Leader and Shetland North councillor:
“The insights shared paint a really interesting picture of what matters to people in the north mainland. We heard about the strong community spirit and sense of identity, as well as community members’ hopes and fears for the future. We heard stories about how interconnected the north mainland is, and how challenges around transport, education, jobs, or health - interact with each other simultaneously in people’s daily lives in both positive and negative ways.”
“It’s been great to hear what people love about their communities, and to get a better understanding of some of the challenges. This initial work provides an opportunity for individuals, groups, communities and organisations in the north mainland and wider Shetland to use these insights to work together and improve local outcomes”.
The Nort Natters report (February 2023) is now available online at: www.shetland.gov.uk/nort-natters