A Message From Our Chief Executive – ‘A City in Crisis’

From Sophy Green, Chief Executive, Instant Neighbour

Harbour Energy Job Losses – A City in Crisis

Like many others, we at Instant Neighbour are processing the news of significant job losses in Aberdeen — most recently the 250 roles affected at Harbour Energy.

We want to take a moment to acknowledge that Harbour Energy have been valued and generous supporters of Instant Neighbour. We appreciate their past commitment to community causes, and we recognise that this decision will not have come easily.

Still, each job lost is more than a number. It represents a household — a family unit, a single parent, or a couple — now facing uncertainty. And with additional redundancies from other local employers, hundreds more are affected.

At Instant Neighbour, we are already experiencing an increase in people seeking urgent support — for food, essential household goods, and advice. This is not just economic fallout; it is emotional, social, and deeply personal.

These events underscore the fragility of our local economy.

We must ask:

What kind of economy leaves so many vulnerable to sudden change?

When will we see a commitment to long-term, people-centred solutions?

We remain committed to doing all we can to support those impacted — but we cannot do this alone. This is a moment for collective leadership: from government, industry, and the community. Together, we must work toward a future where people are protected, valued, and supported — no matter the economic climate.