The remit was to focus on the employment barriers being faced by socially excluded people in the Orkney community.

This broad remit includes individuals with a learning disability, physical disability, mental health needs, alcohol/substance misuse needs, ex-offenders, care leavers, long-term unemployed and anyone who experiences a disadvantage in entering the labour market.

Employability Orkney was originally launched and funded by a partnership between Orkney Islands Council, HIE Orkney, Jobcentre Plus and Orkney Disability Forum.

Restart Orkney is a well established and successful social enterprise which provides supported employment and skill development for adults and young people with a barrier to maintaining employment.

Restart Orkney sells good quality secondhand furniture and household items to the general public but also helps to provide furniture and white goods to our local council to help individuals who are struggling to move in to and furnish their own property. 

All profits are reinvested back into the charity to fulfill our social and environmental purposes.

At Employability Orkney we are committed to giving individuals with a disadvantage to gaining employment the opportunity to participate in a supportive and inclusive work environment, free from stigma and discrimination.

Everyone is valued for their abilities and are supported and encouraged to participate in running our busy shop.

Employability Orkney supports a range of volunteer skill development placements and supported employee positions.