Volunteers’ Week 2015
Volunteers’ Awards 2015
Thursday 4 June at 7pm
Newbattle Abbey College
Volunteers’ Week (1 – 7 June) is about celebrating volunteers and
volunteering. This event acknowledges the range of volunteering involvement
in Midlothian, to recognise the contribution of volunteers and to reward
volunteers for their dedication and commitment.
Guidance notes on submitting nominations
We invite you to nominate individuals or teams of volunteers for the awards listed below.
Please select only one category for each team or volunteer. Remember that if you nominate
more than one team or volunteer for a single category you may be putting them in direct
competition with each other. The Volunteer Team of the Year will be chosen from all the
team entries we receive.
Who should enter?
Entry is open to all organisations who involve volunteers in their work. Our definition of
volunteering is:
“Volunteering is about people giving their time and skills of their own free will– without pay
- for the benefit of others, their communities and, very importantly, themselves.”
Who will judge the nominations?
The judging panel for each award will comprise of an independent panel of judges, including
representatives from the sponsors of each award. The judges will assess nominations for
each award on the information provided. Judging will take place during April 2015.
Who can attend the Volunteers Awards?
Representation from the winner(s) of each category, along with representation from
nominated individuals and teams will be invited to attend the Volunteers Awards Night at
Newbattle Abbey College on Thursday 4 June. Please note that numbers will be limited.
How to enter:
1. Complete a nomination form
Complete a nomination form available from www.volunteermidlothian.org.uk, email
[email protected] or call 0131 660 1216. Closing date for nominations Friday
27th March 2014.
2. Take some photos!
Nominations should be accompanied by photographs of your volunteers in action. We
recommend that you provide up to 10 photographs which will be shown at the Awards night
to demonstrate the work of your volunteer(s). It’s a real opportunity to show others what
your volunteers do. Please provide the photos in digital format, either on disk or by email
Award Categories
1. Health & Well-being
Befriending, Day Care, Caring for People with Disabilities are a few examples of how
volunteers contribute to the Health & Well-being of others living in Midlothian. This is your
chance to acknowledge volunteers who consider and care about the most vulnerable in our
communities.
2. Service to the Community
Volunteers offer their time and skills to organisations that provide essential services to our
community, such as youth groups and organisations who offer information, advice,
counselling and support. Volunteers give their time to attend training, to equip them with
skills and knowledge to assist people with life changing problems and issues and to
improving things in their local area. The professionalism and commitment of these
volunteers deserves to be commended!
3. Preservation of our Environment & Heritage
A variety of organisations and individuals are passionate about the history and heritage of
the area and for caring about our local environment. Do you know people who are
enthusiastic about the past, present and future of Midlothian?
4. Inspiring Young Volunteer
More and more young people are getting involved in volunteering and they can be an
inspiration to us all. This award recognises the unique contribution that young people make
by bringing their enthusiasm, fresh ideas and energy to the work of lots of organisations
across Midlothian. Nominees should be aged under 25.
5. Long Service to Volunteering
Some volunteers are so committed to the work of an organisation that once they get
involved, they stay involved. This award aims to recognise this level of commitment and is
open to those who have contributed at least 10 years to an organisation’s work.
6. Volunteer Manager of the Year
This award recognises excellence in volunteer management from an individual who takes on
a co-ordinating or managing role of volunteers. They may be involved in a paid or unpaid
capacity within either the public or third sector.
Volunteer Team of the Year Award
The winning team will be chosen from all the team nominations we receive. The winning
team should display outstanding team work and effort. Entries will be judged by an
independent panel of judges