Information for prospective employees
The Islands
The beautiful Isles of Scilly is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) set 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall. With stunning beaches, unpolluted starry skies, endless outdoor activities and a friendly community, you will experience a whole new way of life.
Over 2000 people live across the five inhabited islands of St Mary’s, St Martin’s, St Agnes, Bryher and Tresco, nestled between ancient historic sites and modern 21st century living.
St Mary’s
The largest of all the islands is St Mary’s, home to the capital Hugh Town. Whilst only 2.5 miles long and 1.75 miles wide St Mary’s provides all services and provisions modern living requires. Our shops offer a wide range of food and drink all year round and supports a number of local causes through it’s community schemes. It is ably supported by a number of local independent businesses from larger stores through to local roadside stalls and farmers’ markets.
Other locally run shops include, pharmacies, clothes shops, newsagents, Post Office, hardware, butchers, a library and a number of cafés, restaurants and pubs.
Your medical needs are met by our local cottage hospital and medical centre providing all year round GP and critical medical care. We also have a residential care home, Park House, situated in Hugh Town, St Mary's, with eleven rooms for permanent residents and one respite room. It provides a range of services including residential care, respite care and day care for older people.
St Mary’s hosts Anglican, Methodist and Catholic Churches with each off island having its own place of worship.
Five Islands Academy provides education from nursery through to GCSEs with a secondary base on St Mary’s and off-island provision at Key Stage 1 and 2.
Economy
The sub-tropical climate, welcoming locals and an abundance of outdoor activities make the Isles of Scilly an ever-popular tourist destination. Whilst our economy thrives on our visitors, we still maintain traditional industries such as fishing, and flower farming which has been the backbone of the Scillonian economy for centuries.
The islands have embraced 21st century technology with superfast broadband enabling seamless remote working possibilities and is undoubtedly one of the best-connected island communities in the world.
Protecting our Environment
The Isles of Scilly are one of England’s finest landscapes and are designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Measuring only 16km2 the islands are the smallest AONB in the UK but pack a mighty punch when it comes to outstanding natural beauty, wildlife, culture and heritage.
The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust manage over 50% of the islands for wildlife, including 26 sites of special scientific interest which are home to nationally and internationally rare species of plants, seabirds, mammals and insects e.g. Atlantic grey seals, gilt edged lichen, breeding colonies of manx shearwater and the red barbed ant. Scilly has exceptional cultural heritage and is home to the greatest density of scheduled ancient monuments than anywhere else in the UK. The island’s characteristic field patterns, ancient field boundaries are a legacy of the farming community and Scilly’s farming heritage. Narcissi flowers are grown commercially across the islands – due to the small field sizes in Scilly these fields are home to important and nationally rare arable plant species and are often lined with impressive native Elm trees.
Sports and Leisure
The Islands boast a thriving sports scene with a potential for 7 day a week activity. Whether you enjoy cricket, badminton, tennis, basketball, dancing, martial arts, swimming, sailing or want to participate in the worlds smallest football league, options are available whatever your interests or ability.
The Isles of Scilly are home to the sport of Pilot Gig Rowing and enjoy a competitive domestic season for Men's and Ladies’ crews as well as hosting the World Pilot Gig Championships every May.
Council of the Isles of Scilly
The Council of the Isles of Scilly (CIOS) is the largest employer, providing work opportunities to over 200 members of the local population. CIOS is responsible for a wide range of services encompassing highways management, an innovative integrated Health and Social Care provision, waste & recycling, Fire and Rescue, AONB and environmental management and a busy airport providing year-round connectivity to the mainland.
Logistics/Transport
Isles of Scilly travel operate all year round with a new passenger ferry, Scillonian IV in the development stage and Scillonian III operating a regular service from Penzance during the months March to November. All year round transport is available via a short 15 minute flight on “Skybus” from Land’s End and Exeter as well as an exhilarating helicopter flight to both St Mary’s and Tresco.
From the transport hub on St Mary’s Quay, a colourful array of Inter-Island launches will transport you regularly between St Martin’s, Bryher, St Agnes and Tresco and also offer wildlife and sightseeing trips to a number of the uninhabited islands.
A fleet of electric vehicles are available for hire on St Mary’s and St Martin’s for local personal or business use and the Council offer a cycle to work scheme to all employees.
Logistics/Transport
Isles of Scilly travel operate all year round with a new passenger ferry, Scillonian IV in the development stage and Scillonian III operating a regular service from Penzance during the months March to November. All year round transport is available via a short 15 minute flight on “Skybus” from Land’s End and Exeter as well as an exhilarating helicopter flight to both St Mary’s and Tresco.
From the transport hub on St Mary’s Quay, a colourful array of Inter-Island launches will transport you regularly between St Martin’s, Bryher, St Agnes and Tresco and also offer wildlife and sightseeing trips to a number of the uninhabited islands.
A fleet of electric vehicles are available for hire on St Mary’s and St Martin’s for local personal or business use and the Council offer a cycle to work scheme to all employees.