The Peedie Retreat SCIO

The Peedie Retreat is an Orkney charity with the ambition of building and running fully accessible, bespoke, accommodation for Orkney residents affected by Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis or Motor Neurone Disease at Inganess Beach, just a stones throw away from all the facilities in Kirkwall overlooking one of Orkney’s most beautiful beaches.

The inspirational building will be a place where Orkney people living with these medical conditions will be able to come with their families, friends and loved ones, to be together and enjoy a break away from their worries and challenges, to rest, recuperate and connect with nature to find inspiration, hope and happiness. The respite offered by The Peedie Retreat will be free of charge, ensuring that everyone who needs to can benefit regardless of their financial status.

Since 2021, when VAO first supported the group with development of their constitution and application for registered charity status, the Peedie Retreat has worked tirelessly to raise funds towards the build and spread the word amongst the Orkney community with huge success. We have offered a full range of advice and services including support with fundraising, advice about governance matters, office services, grant funding through the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund and, most recently, advice about trading as a charity through their new charity shop in the heart of Kirkwall.

The Orkney community has taken The Peedie Retreat to its heart and this is a lot to do with the energy and motivation of the trustees, and the passion with which they share their vision and engage with the community about the project. Anna Johnson, Secretary said:

The whole team from Voluntary Action Orkney (VAO) have been a incredible support to The Peedie Retreat. From our infancy as a charity, through to the developmental stage, they have provided support, advice and guidance. They helped us with:

• registration as a SCIO
• grant funding advice
• printing fundraising materials
• advice on volunteer recruitment and retention
• financial advice including end of year reports
• promoting and communicating our our plans and fundraising activities to the community
• support to help us set up our own charity shop

The team at VAO also gave invaluable physical support at meetings with potential funders. Without their presence and guidance these would have been very daunting and complicated to navigate. Their wealth of knowledge has prevented our charity making mistakes, and costly errors. Their willingness to help meant we were more informed and reduced our worry and stress, leading to successful outcomes. This so important for the future of any charity that relies on volunteers.

The support from VAO has been an important factor in enabling our charity to secure £239,000 towards the project and in just 2 and half years, we are now in the position to move to the development stage. They helped us to find funding for the landscape development as well and allowed the charity to progress to phase 3 in developing of the Orkney's Beach Wheelchair service. For the first time ever, guests and members of the public of all levels of ability, will be able to access the beach safely to enjoy the wellbeing and social benefits.

VAO's support also helped with our plans to give the charity a secure and sustainable future. They guided us through the processes needed to set up of our own charity shop which will help cover revenue costs.

Our dream for a bespoke, fully accessible and free of charge accommodation for Orkney residents who are facing incredible medical challenges through Cancer, MS and MND is becoming a reality. VAO's support has been instrumental in making this happen. The Peedie Retreat will be a haven for families, friends and loved ones. It will be a place where great personal comfort can be found and where the heart of Orkney's community will always shine.