Orkney Enterprise is giving Orcadians the chance to feel better about themselves with training grants for a local beautician and a shiatsu teacher.

The Local Enterprise Company has awarded Edith Rosie - who owns Body Options in Kirkwall - a grant so that she can undertake a course in CACI treatment.  CACI is a treatment programme, using specialist equipment, which helps to tighten and tone sagging muscles whilst smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  It can also help soothe tired, aching muscles, relieve painful stress nodules and stimulate circulation.

Edith is gradually purchasing all the necessary CACI equipment and is looking forward to taking part in the five-day CACI training course.   The investment in equipment and training will help her expand her business, offering existing and new clients a wider range of beauty treatments.  She said: "CACI is a treatment that many people in Orkney have already requested and without assistance from Orkney Enterprise, I would never be able to deliver it.

"However, although I still have some equipment to buy and some training to undertake, I hope that by the time Body Options celebrates it's 10th anniversary in October, I will be able to offer CACI treatments."

Megan Webster Gaertner from Longhope has been a qualified shiatsu practitioner since 1988 and is now embarking on a series of training sessions at the Shiatsu College in Yorkshire in order to gain her shiatsu teacher training qualifications.

Shiatsu is a traditional hands-on Japanese healing therapy which can help a wide range of conditions from specific injuries such as whiplash or sports injuries, as well as back pain, headaches, digestive problems and other, more general symptoms of poor health.    

Financial support from Orkney Enterprise is helping Megan pay for her training and further assistance is helping her meet the costs of a new therapy and treatment room.

Commenting on the help she has received, Megan said: "I have been teaching Shaitsu for the local Adult Education Department for many years.  Becoming a registered Shiatsu Society Teacher will enable me to train students to a much higher standard and ultimately to practitioner level."

Skills development officer at Orkney Enterprise, Doreen Rendall said: "From large companies employing hundreds of people to one-person businesses, ongoing training and skills development is vital to help businesses succeed and be more competitive.

"At Orkney Enterprise, we are able to help businesses and individuals meet a wide range of training needs from the basic to the more unusual."