Seven Children
About Shetland's Seven Children
Our Seven Children are fictional 5-year-olds who represent children growing up in Shetland today, across a wide range of household circumstances - from the most comfortable to the most constrained.
They are inspired by the concept and data in Seven Children, a book by social scientist Danny Dorling. Each child grows up in the same household composition as in Dorling's original work, with figures updated and, where possible, set in the context of Shetland households today. The numbers are as accurate as possible and are intended to be illustrative.
Our Seven Children are at the heart of the Shetland Partnership Plan development process. At each session, discussions will consider how the decisions being made today will shape the lives of this group of 5-year-olds. By 2043 - when the next plan concludes - they will be 22 years old. Having grown up in a Shetland that will have changed significantly, how will the choices made now have influenced their lives?
Olivia is five and lives with her mum in a small rented house in Brae, where life is carefully managed and money is always tight. Her story shows what deep poverty looks like in an island setting - and why consistent, even modest, support can make a real difference.
George lives in Lerwick with his parents and two older siblings, in a household that looks ordinary from the outside but is quietly stretched at every turn. His story shows how poverty, the benefit system and the high cost of island life can trap families who are doing everything right.
Freya lives with her family in a remote part of Shetland, where her childhood feels mostly settled - but two jobs, one car and no wraparound care leave little room for the unexpected. Her story shows how rural distance and the hidden costs of island life can push even stable families close to the edge.
Harry lives with his parents, three siblings and his granny nearby, in a household where both parents work full-time but still find themselves running to stand still. His story shows what it means to be just beyond the threshold for support, in a place where everything costs more.
Carrie lives with her mum and dad in social housing in town, and on the surface her life looks calm and well-ordered. Her story is a reminder that visible financial stability can sit alongside serious emotional strain - and that inequality shows up in family histories as well as in incomes.
Lewis has a secure and active childhood, with parents in steady work and plenty of opportunity around him. But as his grandparents age and the weight of caring for his uncle grows, his story shows that higher income does not protect families from the pressures of care.
Lottie's family is well-placed financially, and her childhood is busy and full of opportunity. But when her great-grandfather's decline meant her granny had to move back to a remote island to care for him, her story shows how distance and the demands of caring for older generations can reshape even the most settled family lives.
