Tag: Volunteer’s Week

Volunteer Voices: Transform Project

Ellis on 18 February, 2025

As part of the National Volunteer Recruitment Campaign, we aim to promote volunteering by highlighting the experiences of volunteers in Midlothian. By looking at their journeys into volunteering and the impact it has had on their lives, we hope to inspire potential future volunteers.

We’re excited to share a story from one of Volunteer Midlothian’s own volunteers, Callum. He volunteers with our Transform Project, helping out in the community garden. Listen to his volunteering story by watching the video below:

“I can say wholeheartedly the positive impact it’s given my life.”

Video created by Caleb Akpo-Young.

Volunteer Voices: Midlothian Sure Start

Ellis on 11 February, 2025

Once more we are pleased to highlight a story from a local volunteer, as part of the National Volunteer Recruitment Campaign #VolunteeringForAll.

In this piece, Monika describes her current experience volunteering on a project with one of our member organisations, Midlothian Sure Start. She also discusses her search for volunteering roles before finding her place at Midlothian Sure Start.

“Thanks to this project I am growing as a person, meeting new people, making new friends, and feeling like a part of our community.“

Monika

Volunteer at Midlothian Sure Start

“I am Monika, one of the 13 trained volunteers that are working on the “Our stories” project that is led by Midlothian Sure Start. The project is sponsored by Midlothian Council and funded by the Scottish Government’s Child Poverty Accelerator Fund.
We, the researchers, are all different and come from different backgrounds and possess different skill sets that complement each other. We all have lived experience when it comes to children’s poverty, hence our passionate approach to the topic.

We had a 6-week course (one group is based in Dalkeith, one in Penicuik) preparing us for working on our community research project that involves talking to local families with children who experienced or are currently experiencing either absolute or relative poverty.
In general, we are aiming to talk to 100 families by December. Before that, we are hoping to talk to the majority of families to identify common struggles and to then present them to The Scottish Government in October during Poverty Week and propose some changes.
At the same time, we are hoping to show some of the stories in a creative way during our exhibition in October and January.

Our community project is the first of its kind in Midlothian, we don’t have any ‘set structure’ and we learn as we go. Our group is very creative when it comes to working on exhibitions, and I would love to say the sky is the limit, but, unfortunately, we have a limited budget, and we need to find more budget friendly ways to express our findings. Each of us devote their free time as much as we can, talk to others at various events, like today’s one, share news about our project on radio etc.

I feel supported by Tim and his managers, I believe I could ask for their guidance or help with anything. And if you know Tim, you know he is ready to help anybody 24/7.

My personal journey has been an interesting one and I believe everything happens for a reason. As my kids are very young (the oldest one was 3.5 years old when my third kid was born) and I was working full time and part time, I had limited opportunities to volunteer. We don’t have any family in the UK, and I felt that by contributing to our community it would make me a part of it. I contacted two places in Penicuik within the last year where I could put my skills to use but, in the end, nothing came out of it. I ended up on Sure Start’s emailing list and just one day contacted Tim about the project he was starting as I was curious what it was.

Fast forward a few months, I am helping with interviews, meeting new people, creating exhibits based on the stories we collected. If you told me last January I would be writing poems, a song with a professional singer and writer, or using my passion for photography, I would simply not believe you. Thanks to this project I am growing as a person, meeting new people, making new friends, and feeling like a part of our community.

I had recently learnt that I love listening to people and decided to become a counselor in the future. I have already planned the studies and plan to apply for the next term. I am very excited about it as I will be able to help people and learn new skills”.

    Volunteer Voices: Penicuik Storehouse

    Ellis on 6 February, 2025

    As part of the National Volunteer Recruitment Campaign, we aim to promote volunteering by highlighting the experiences of volunteers in Midlothian. By looking at their journeys into volunteering and the impact it has had on their lives, we hope to inspire potential future volunteers.

    We’re excited to share a range of stories from volunteers at Penicuik Storehouse. They are a community-owned cooperative with a mission to bring the community together, to promote sustainable living, and to encourage healthy eating for all.

    “The staff are lovely, friendly, and always grateful for the volunteers.”

    Jackie

    Volunteer at Penicuik Storehouse

    “My name is Jackie.  I am 57 years old and I volunteer in the shop at the Penicuik Storehouse. I started volunteering here almost one year ago and I love it. I decided to begin volunteering after having to stop work some years ago due to chronic illness. I became quite isolated and wanted to give something back when I felt well enough.
    Although it can be stressful when busy, everyone takes a laid-back approach which is great. They put your needs as priority. For example, I struggle with fatigue and pain. I only have to request, and help is always there. A seat, a coffee, a wee break.

    What I enjoy most is the socialising. Meeting new people and chatting. The staff are lovely, friendly, and always grateful for the volunteers.  What I have experienced personally from volunteering is my self-esteem returning and a build-up of confidence generally.
    I would highly recommend to anyone thinking of volunteering to do so at the Penicuik Storehouse.  It really is a lovely place to work”.

      Alan

      Volunteer at Penicuik Storehouse

      “I started at the Storehouse with no idea what it was about.  All I wanted was to keep on helping within my community. Heck, I thought I would only do a couple of hours a week then I was asked if I could do the Community Lunch. 
      I thought sure and it was chaos. I had no idea.  But I was helped and learned and Iove the challenge and buzz of cooking for our customers’ community. I love trying to think of new recipes”.  

        Louise

        Volunteer at Penicuik Storehouse

        “I have been volunteering at Penicuik Storehouse for almost 2 years.  The reason I started volunteering at the Storehouse was to get out of the house and meet people.  When volunteering, I work on the till and serve customers.  Recently I have learned how to write down customer orders for the café.
         
        I have gained confidence since volunteering at the Storehouse and like to try new things.  I like meeting new people and also new staff too and I love to work on the till with my buddy and like to see my pal from Bonnyrigg too.
        I would recommend volunteering at the Storehouse.  My advice is, ‘Try your best and have fun with it!’”

          Volunteer Voices: The Steading, Rosewell

          Ellis on 4 February, 2025

          As part of the National Volunteer Recruitment Campaign, we aim to promote volunteering by highlighting the experiences of volunteers in Midlothian. By looking at their journeys into volunteering and the impact it has had on their lives, we hope to inspire potential future volunteers.

          We’re pleased to share a story from a volunteer named Marion. She volunteers with The Steading (Rosewell Development Trust), a vibrant hub that offers a range of activities and services to the community.

          Marion

          Volunteer at The Steading

          “Soon after I retired and moved to Rosewell, I began to volunteer at the R.D.T. pensioners lunch club. Here I really saw the direct impact of volunteering and the different challenges faced by others.

          It’s always fun and just a pleasure to listen to the stories and tales of the pensioners lives and hear about the history of the village and its residents.

          I have become very good friends with my co-volunteer and together we enjoy coffee or lunches and meet up occasionally. We both feel very much part of the local community!

          About a year ago I helped set up a ladies table tennis group. It started with a few local ladies joining and now about 12 ladies play on a regular basis. It’s a fun class, full of laughter and it’s a safe space for us all.
          Afterward we have tea and coffee, and it’s here that lots of lasting friendships have been made.
          Many of the ladies, myself included, have felt our fitness levels have improved and we have confidence to play with other groups, some of us now play 3-4 times per week.
          The highlight is when we play with the local men’s team (once a month). They coach us and encourage our play and treat us to coffee and cake.

          For me, volunteering is a fulfilling experience offering social connections and leading to great friendships”.

            Volunteer Voices: HCL Transport Lothian

            Ellis on 30 January, 2025

            As part of the National Volunteer Recruitment Campaign, we aim to promote volunteering by highlighting the experiences of volunteers in Midlothian. By looking at their journeys into volunteering and the impact it has had on their lives, we hope to inspire potential future volunteers.

            We’re happy to share a story from a volunteer driver named John. He volunteers with HCL Transport, a local charity that provide essential services that support people of any age who have mobility challenges.

            “I would encourage everyone to get involved in the volunteer sector if they are able, as many groups and organisations are crying out for help. There is a role out there for everyone!”

            John

            Volunteer Driver at HCL

            “I retired in 2019 after 30 years as a Police Officer and then lockdown hit.
            My wife had been a nurse for over 40 years until her retirement in 2017, and with the arrival of the pandemic, she volunteered to go to a COVID Ward to help out and ultimately to assist in the vaccination programme.
            I felt like I should also try and help out, so in June 2020, volunteered to be a telephone befriender via the Midlothian group ‘Fancy a Blether’. I was given two older gentlemen to engage with over the phone once a week and did so for the next year. To be honest, I found it difficult to keep the conversation going at times and ultimately realised this type of role wasn’t a good fit for me.
             
            I then got in contact with the Edinburgh Food Project at Sighthill and did some work there for a few weeks, before moving on to support the work at the Vaccination Centre at The Royal Highland Showground.  This was a massive operation and the role involved welcoming people to the Centre, providing information and reassurance to them before and after vaccination.
             
            The travelling to and from the Showground proved to be problematic so in March 2021 I started to cover the Vaccination Centre at Gorebridge Leisure Centre and worked there until February 2022.
             
            In March that year I began working as a volunteer driver with HCL Transport, based at Loanhead, who provide supported accessible transport for people with mobility challenges in Edinburgh and the Lothians. 
             
            I’m still working there today and having done a variety of roles, I’ve eventually found the one that best suits me. I enjoy the driving and meeting the service users who absolutely rely on us to get out and about. As a volunteer I can be really flexible about when I work and the company are always happy when I’m available to help out.
             
            I would encourage everyone to get involved in the volunteer sector if they are able, as many groups and organisations are crying out for help. There is a role out there for everyone!”

              Volunteer Voices: VOCAL Midlothian

              Ellis on 28 January, 2025

              As part of the National Volunteer Recruitment Campaign, we aim to promote volunteering by highlighting the experiences of volunteers in Midlothian. By looking at their journeys into volunteering and the impact it has had on their lives, we hope to inspire potential future volunteers.

              We’re delighted to share a story from a volunteer named Euan. He volunteers with VOCAL, who provide support for unpaid carers in Edinburgh and Midlothian, to help identify the issues affecting them and achieve the best possible outcome for carers.

              “I realised that I was not alone on the journey that was unfolding in front of me.”

              Euan

              Peer Mentor Volunteer at VOCAL

              “My interface with Vocal and the services they offer started after my mother passed away, leaving my father at 88 with Dementia. I did not even consider myself a carer until mail for my mother from Vocal was still coming to her, as I had not informed them of her death. On reading the mail from Vocal, I realised that I was not alone on the journey that was unfolding in front of me.
               
              My father had a professional care package already in place. 
              I attended several of Vocal’s day courses to help me understand his condition and prepare for what lay ahead. At my first course, all who attended were asked to introduce themselves, say who they were caring for and say what condition or type of dementia the person they were caring for had.
               
              I had no idea until that first course how many different types of dementia there are and more importantly, I had no idea what dementia my father was suffering from, I had never asked and my mother never told me. I contacted our GP practice, and because I had been listed by my mum as next of kin after she passed away, I was told my dad had Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia. Our relationship over my 3-year caring journey went through a complete role reversal of our parent-child roles. I took early retirement from my job  BUT  when I tell you my final job was being in charge of the Roads Department for the City of Edinburgh Council it wasn’t too hard to step way early.                          
              So, I ended up feeding my dad, reading him stories, consoling him, wiping his bottom and, along with his paid carers, generally looking after him. I found that looking back through family photo albums and listening to music stimulated his failing memory and brought us closer together. I never lived with my father but interacted with his paid carers on a daily basis.
               
              The break sessions in the Vocal courses I attended started the participants informally discussing their roles as carers, and through that I was more able to accept my role as a carer, as well as my role as a son. The discussions brought the attendees together in sharing the experience they were going through with their family members.
               
              I think Vocal picked up on this interaction and asked for volunteers to be trained as “peer mentors”, to literally share experiences with carers in similar roles. I carried out the training, became a peer mentor and, in that role, have met many carers over the past few years. My father passed away at 91, when I was being trained, so my carer role ceased, but I continued training to become a peer mentor. 
               
              I still find it cathartic to talk about my father and the caring experience I had with him, so peer mentoring has given me that sharing opportunity to talk about my father, that otherwise would never have happened. 
              I am assured by Vocal staff who receive the feedback from carers who have been through peer mentoring, that it has been a hugely positive experience and is very well received. It may however never have happened if, as I believe, Vocal had not keenly observed the interactions of attendees at their day courses, and seen the value in carers sharing their experiences, in order to help other carers deal better or more knowledgeably with their caring role.
               
              Vocal was there for me when I needed information to help me understand my father’s condition and the anticipated journey of a terminal disease. I am fortunate, and I even feel privileged, to have been given the opportunity to repay Vocal by volunteering for them in my role as a peer mentor”.

                Panda-monium at the Midlothian Volunteer Awards 2024!

                Ellis on 14 June, 2024

                On Thursday 6 June, volunteers across Midlothian arrived at Newbattle Abbey College for our annual Midlothian Volunteer Awards. The night was a blast and we want to thank everyone who attended. It is a joy to celebrate the hardworking volunteers in Midlothian each year. We hope you all had as much fun as we did!

                Photographs

                Thank you to our wonderful photographer, Kris Soul Photography, for capturing the evening.

                Click the button below to see photos from the awards ceremony:

                View Photos

                Programme

                You can see the winners and nominations from the night in our awards programme:

                Mascot Campaign

                In 2024, our mascot campaign is a little different. Each year we usually have a student placement who works with us to organise a competition and campaign with a brand new mascot. This year, we didn’t have a student placement but we couldn’t bear to have Volunteers’ Week without a mascot! We brought back mascots from previous years; Bramble the Bear, Pretzel the Panda, and Ringo the Rhino to keep the tradition going. Take a look at our campaign video down below.

                We hope these mascots will find someone to look after them next year!

                A BIG thank you to our generous sponsors:

                EDF Energy

                Scottish Qualifications Authority

                Well Done You Ltd

                Esk Valley Rotary Club

                Midlothian Council

                Newbattle Abbey College

                Scottish Fire & Rescue Service

                Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership

                We can’t wait to see you all again for next year’s ceremony!

                Boogie & Arlene Want You… To Nominate For The Midlothian Volunteer Awards 2024!

                Ellis on 12 March, 2024

                NOMINATIONS CLOSE NEXT WEEK for the 2024 Midlothian Volunteer Awards! 🎉

                The Midlothian Volunteer Awards take place each year, and are all about celebrating the amazing efforts of volunteers in Midlothian. This celebration is a part of Volunteers’ Week, where we appreciate people’s kindness across the whole of Scotland. It is a great opportunity to promote some of the fabulous volunteering projects that exist in Midlothian.

                Please ensure you read the FAQs here before you submit.

                A big thank you to Boogie & Arlene from Forth One for helping us get the message out!

                DownloadNomination Example and Photo Guidelines

                Submit Your Nomination

                If you have any questions, email volunteering@MCA.scot

                Nominations Open for the 2024 Midlothian Volunteer Awards!

                Ellis on 29 February, 2024

                Nominations are now open for the 2024 Midlothian Volunteer Awards! 

                The Midlothian Volunteer Awards take place each year, and are all about celebrating the amazing efforts of volunteers in Midlothian. This celebration is a part of a national initiative, where we appreciate people’s kindness across the whole of Scotland. It is a great opportunity to promote some of the fabulous volunteering projects that exist in Midlothian.

                Please ensure you read the FAQs here before you submit.

                Nominations will close on March 22nd, so submit them soon.

                DownloadNomination Example and Photo Guidelines

                Submit Your Nomination

                If you have any questions, email volunteering@MCA.scot

                2024 Midlothian Volunteer Awards

                Ellis on 27 February, 2024

                Click here to see this years nominations!

                The Midlothian Volunteer Awards are back! We’re excited to celebrate all the amazing efforts of volunteers in Midlothian over the past year.

                This celebration is a part of Volunteer’s Week, a national initiative where we appreciate people’s kindness across the whole of Scotland. It is a great opportunity to promote some of the fabulous volunteering projects that exist in Midlothian. The 2024 Award Ceremony will be held on June 6 at the splendid Newbattle Abbey College.

                We’d love any person nominated for an award to be made aware so they can save the date for the event.

                Please note this event is for nominated volunteers, and their nominees.

                Take a look at our video from last year to see what it’s all about:

                Midlothian Volunteer Awards 2023: Winners Announced

                Richard Cross on 2 June, 2023

                We are very excited to announce the winners of the 2023 Midlothian Volunteer Awards ceremony, which took place last night at Newbattle Abbey College. These incredible individuals have gone above and beyond to make a difference in their communities and to their organisations, and we are thrilled to recognise their contributions and dedication. From mentoring young people, supporting parents and providing soups for vulnerable people, and making a difference through physical activity, they represent the very best about volunteering.

                Their inspiring stories remind us that we all have the power to create a positive change, no matter how big or small it may be.

                By sharing their stories and celebrating their contributions and accomplishments, Midlothian’s volunteers inspire others to get involved and make a difference to their own communities….and their own lives. They are shining examples of what it means to be a volunteer. We hope that their passion and commitment will continue to inspire others for years to come.

                Congratulations!!!

                This year’s winners are:

                Equality and Diversity Award – Les Reynolds, Mayfield Community Club Tea Dance

                Service to the Community Award – Davy Naismith, The Glencorse Centre

                Befriender/Mentor of the Year Award – Alister Ballantyne, Health in Mind

                Active Volunteering and Climate Change Award – Ageing Well Volunteers, Midlothian Council

                Health & Wellbeing Award – Soup2Go – Young Volunteers, Midlothian Council Communities, Lifelong Learning and Employability

                Dedicated Service Award – Louise D’Arcy-Greig, Army Cadet Force

                Outstanding New Volunteer – I.M.P.A.C.T, Improving Midlothian Parents And Caregivers Time

                Volunteering Team of the Year Award – The Rosewell Volunteering Team and The Rosewell Gardening Club, Rosewell Development Trust

                Volunteer of the Year – Ruth Simpson, Ageing Well

                Our Saltire Summit Award winners for 2023 are:

                Kristen Dent, Aleesha Doherty, Louise Gillespie, Beth Keay, Shaun Wood, Chloe Barron, Ben McIntosh, George Brodie, Abbie O’Malley

                Volunteer Voices: A Meeting with Burns Scott

                Richard Cross on 24 May, 2023

                Burns, Julianne and his wife Helen.

                This year’s theme for Volunteer’s Week is to Celebrate and Inspire, so with that in mind we visited Penicuik to interview one of Midlothian’s most dedicated volunteers. With over seventy years of experience under his belt, BURNS SCOTT is a source of inspiration to current and future volunteers in Midlothian and beyond. Here we share the highlights of his story as told to Julianne, our student on placement from Napier University. We hope that Burns’ achievements will encourage others to volunteer in their own communities too.  

                Burns Scott’s volunteering journey began after World War II, when he initially volunteered for the Royal Navy in 1946. During his time in the navy, he realised that his desire to volunteer had grown into a long-term commitment. Burns expressed to Julianne that his motivation to continue volunteering stemmed from a desire to give back to his community. This motivation drove him to take on various voluntary roles throughout his working life, and even into his retirement.

                A varied, rich and rewarding volunteer journey

                Over the years Burns came to recognise that volunteering was ultimately worth it, despite the time it took being involved in so many different voluntary roles. He has accumulated an impressive number of awards in recognition of the difference he has made. When asked about his most memorable experience, he told us how enjoyable his involvement in the annual Penicuik Hill Race had been. The event brought people together from all over Midlothian and beyond, using sport to foster community spirit and promote health and well-being. 

                The hill race also helped to raise the profile of the Penicuik area, boosting the local economy, and bringing more people into the county too. On one occasion, at the culmination of the event, Burns received a crystal bowl from all the athletes and marshals that had taken part. When his time on the Penicuik Gala Committee came to an end, he was presented with a card that had been handwritten and signed by all the competitors that year. Burns told us that he was extremely touched by the gesture and that it was one of his proudest moments, because people had publicly recognised the contribution he had made.

                Connecting with others

                Burns showing Julianne his signed card from all the hill racers.

                Volunteering encourages us to meet and connect with people from all sorts of backgrounds, and to make new friends. When asked who had made the most significant impact on his volunteering journey, Burns Scott mentioned Charlie Gordon. They were on the Penicuik Gala Committee together and according to his wife Helen, Burns and Charlie ‘would read each other’s minds’. Charlie was somebody that Burns felt he could look up to. Because of their mutual interest in giving back to their community, they inspired each other to continue volunteering. Often, it is the positive energy occurring between groups of volunteers that can lead to the biggest and most impactful gains.

                Keeping up the good work

                When asked what advice he would give to someone considering volunteering, Burns was quick to answer. ‘Put your heart and soul into it and give 100% of your effort.’ Burns and Helen emphasised that it is important for people to do something they like and not to give up, despite the challenges that can occur. Burns also observed that once people are volunteering and get stuck into a project, the ‘vibe’ rubs off on them. They become more motivated because other people around them feel the same. This in turn can result in a group of volunteers working hard together make positive changes happen for each other, and for others in their community as well.  

                Every volunteer in Midlothian deserves to be recognised for the effort they’ve made to give something back. In the run up to Volunteers’ Week 2023 and the Midlothian Volunteer Awards ceremony on the evening of June 1st, we hope that Burns Scott inspires new and future volunteers as much as he has inspired us at Volunteer Midlothian.

                This story was authored by Julianne Nixon.

                Never Mind the Football – the Midlothian Volunteer Awards are Coming Home!

                Richard Cross on 8 July, 2021

                It’s been a month since the 2021 Midlothian Volunteer Awards ceremony took place online, and we are pleased to say that we have now managed to get the trophies and certificates into the hands of all our wonderful award winners and nominees. Here are a few pics of the trophies being handed over. It was a pleasure to work with everyone involved in the awards and to meet the winners in person. We look forward to doing it all again in years to come.

                Well done and thanks again everyone – winners AND nominees!

                Members of Art Club’s ‘Amazing Brains Committee’ receiving their Covid-19 Community Award.

                Ellie and Holly from the Midlothian Breastfeeding Alliance accepting the MBA’s award for voluntary work related to Health and Wellbeing.

                Gina from the Penicuik Ambassadors, who won the ‘Volunteer Team of the Year’ award. Gina was able to come to the Glencorse Centre with her daughter to collect the award at the same time as the MBA.

                Ricky Lloyd from Dalkeith Rugby Club accepting his award for Active Volunteering. Chris Boyle also jointly won this award for his hard work alongside Ricky.

                We wonder who got to take the award home!

                A member of the team from Food Facts Friends receiving the organisation’s certificate of nomination for the Covid-19 Community Award. Heather Mortimore from Food Facts Friends won the ‘Outstanding New Volunteer Award’.

                We delivered the certificate and trophy on the same day that some of the other trophies were handed over in the Penicuik area. Unfortunately, Heather wasn’t there at the time of drop off, but we hope she liked it when she got it!

                Samantha Gough, winner of the Saltire Summit Award for her dedicated volunteering with the children and families charity, Bright Sparks.

                We think Bramble the teddy looks very happy snuggling up with Samantha.

                Joseph Burke, Midlothian’s ‘Volunteer of the Year’ 2021. Joseph won this award in recognition of the outstanding volunteer work he has done over the past 18 months on behalf of local mental health charity Health in Mind.

                Midlothian Volunteer Awards 2021: Nominees Announced

                Richard Cross on 8 April, 2021

                We are now able to share the list of confirmed nominees for the 2021 Midlothian Volunteer Awards, which will take place during Volunteers’ Week from 1-7 June. It’s looking likely that we will run an event on the evening of Thursday 3rd June to announce the winners, so keep an eye out for further updates about this.

                The standard of nominations has been very high this year and we have also had a lot of interest in the awards. This reflects all the extra voluntary activity we’ve seen as part of the Covid-19 resilience response in local communities, but also the amazing work that has taken place across the third sector as a whole throughout the pandemic.

                All of the nominees are listed below. The full list of Saltire Summit nominees will be announced later on in April. Well done everyone – you are all fabulous!

                Outstanding New Volunteer  

                • Heather Mortimore (Food Facts Friends) 
                • Andrew Love (CAPS Collective Advocacy) 
                • Kathryn Gordon (Home Link Family Support) 
                • Katrina Drennan (Penicuik Ambassdors) 
                • Beth Fyfe Falconer (Volunteer Midlothian – Transform) 

                Befriender Mentor   

                • Joseph Burke (Health in Mind) 
                • Alzheimer Scotland Telephone Companions
                • Amanda Gillespie (Home Link Family Support)   
                • Connect Project Volunteers (Volunteer Midlothian) 
                • Colin Pow (Health in Mind) 

                Active Volunteering 

                • Rebecca Lewis (Riverfly on the Esk)
                • Holly Gibb (Breastfeeding Café) 
                • Mirabelle Maslin (Roslin and Bilston Community Council) 
                • Chris Boyle and Ricky Lloyd (Dalkeith Rugby) 
                • Dalkeith Guerrilla Gardeners 
                • Ageing Well (Midlothian Council)

                Health and Wellbeing  

                • Anam Cara Befriending Team
                • Art and Craft in Wellbeing Group (Health in Mind) 
                • Midlothian Breastfeeding Alliance
                • Green Prescribing Garden Buddies (Cyrenians)

                Dedicated Service  

                • Jim Paterson (Food Facts Friends) 
                • Connect Online (Volunteer Midlothian) 
                • David Thornton (Health in Mind) 
                • Colette Pye (Mayfield and District Breastfeeding Support Group) 
                • Maggie Palmer (Home Link Family Support)  
                • Jim Ralston (1st Loanhead Boys Brigade Company) 
                • Penicuik Community Development Trust

                Covid-19  

                • Vernon Miles (Community Activist – Environmental Clean Up) 
                • Grant Stanley (‘Our Stars Family’ on Facebook ) 
                • Amazing Brains Committee at Art Club 
                • Food Facts Friends 
                • Gorebridge Resilience Partnership  
                • Penicuik Ambassadors 

                Volunteer Manager  

                • Mark Wells (Food Facts Friends) 
                • Michael Huddleston (Alzheimer Scotland) 
                • Monika Dyczko (Health in Mind) 
                • Naomi Knights (Volunteer Midlothian) 
                • Shondra Riley (Made in Midlothian) 

                Saltire Summit Award

                • Kyle Anderson
                • Eva Hesketh-Laird
                • Louise Gillespie
                • Melissa Reidie 
                • Samantha Gough

                Midlothian Volunteer Awards 2021: Nominations are NOW OPEN!

                Richard Cross on 8 March, 2021

                We are super excited to announce that the nominations for this year’s Volunteers’ Week Awards are now open! The 2021 awards are shaping up to be extra special because they will celebrate volunteering activity from both before and during the pandemic. 

                Categories for nomination include: Outstanding New Volunteer, Befriender/Mentor of the Year, Active Volunteering, Health and Wellbeing, Dedicated Service to Volunteering, Volunteer Manager of the Year and the Saltire Summit Award.

                The winners of the 2019 awards, which were held at Newbattle Abbey College.

                A brand-new category has also been introduced for 2021 to acknowledge community-led volunteering that occurred in response to Covid-19. This category will be open to nominations from members of the public in Midlothian who want to recognise local volunteers that have made an outstanding effort in their communities over the last 12 months. We can’t wait to see the nominations flying in! They are open for a three-week period until the end of March, so spread the word through your networks and get thinking as to who you might want to put forward for an award. 

                More information about how to nominate and the link to the nominations form can be found on our Volunteers’ Week FAQ’s page. We will also be releasing a video guide to the awards later on in the week, so look out for that, particularly if you prefer to listen rather than read.

                Good luck! If you’ve any questions, get in touch by emailing volunteering@MCA.scot