The aim of the new awards is to recognise and celebrate all kinds of volunteering, including both formal and informal volunteering and celebrate individuals of all ages who volunteer in Shetland either formally through an organisation or informally by helping out and showing kindness in their communities. VAS wants to recognise the valuable contribution volunteers participate in the length and breadth of the Shetland Isles.
The new awards consist of two categories, the ‘Willin Haands Award’ for adults aged 26 and over, and the ‘Peerie Trows Award’ for children 11 and under. The awards complement the national Saltire Awards scheme, which VAS deliver annually to recognise young people aged 12 to 25.
A total of 89 nominations were received. 76 nominations for 71 adults (5 duplicates) for the Willin Haands Award and 14 for the Peerie Trows Award, 13 individuals and one school group.
VAS would like to say a big thank you to all who nominated and a huge congratulations to all award recipients.
Kathleen Williamson Volunteer Development Worker at VAS said ‘following on from the success of the Community Spirit Awards, VAS are delighted to develop these new awards recognising the amazing volunteering that takes place in Shetland. Shetland continually top Scottish tables for the highest number of adult volunteers per head of population who volunteer formally and informally with current stats showing this figure to be 71% of adult volunteers (almost double the national average). It has been amazing reading all the nomination stories of all fantastic volunteering and kindness taking place throughout the Islands. We are proud of Shetland’s volunteers and our volunteering culture.’
You can find a full list of recipients here, recipients are also announced in the Shetland Times today.
