North Edinburgh local, Colin Brown, was presented with an award at the Scottish Parliament, in recognition of his volunteer charity work with Children 1st’s Parentline.
The People’s Postcode Lottery ‘Spirit of Parentline’ Awards celebrated the qualities in volunteers that allow Parentline to lend a helping hand to children and families across Scotland – by phone, email and webchat.
Parentline has been a lifeline for over 50,000 families in Scotland, since it started in 1999. For the past 11 years the incredibly generous support of the players of People’s Postcode Lottery has allowed Parentline to continue to be there to support parents and carers to keep children safe and happy.
Colin, who has been a volunteer for eight years, was given the Child’s Voice Award, which was presented by the Deputy First Minister John Swinney. The award recognises Colin’s skill in keeping the needs of the child at the heart of his conversations with parents and carers and supporting families to put their children first.
Katie Tweedie, programmes advisor at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “I was honoured to attend the Spirit of Parentline Awards at the Scottish Parliament. It is the extraordinary support of all of the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, combined with the determination, courage and passion of Children 1st volunteers, that makes Parentline a lifeline for families.
“The event was a fantastic celebration of our partnership and what has been achieved with players’ support over the past 11 years.”
Colin Brown, local Parentline volunteer, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to receive the award, and to be presented it by the Deputy First Minister.
“It’s great to have recognised the work that I do week in, week out, every Tuesday afternoon and to hear people recognise that we do our very best to help parents, often at times of great difficulty for them, because it isn’t always easy being a parent.”
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “It was a pleasure to present Colin with the Child’s Voice award. I have heard loud and clear from his fellow volunteers how Colin inspires them and who see him as an exemplar for championing child-centred practice”.
The evening also included a keynote speech from Mr Swinney and a special recorded message from comedian Janey Godley.
Parentline offers a kind, listening ear to anyone caring for or concerned about a child. Whatever it is that’s affecting your family Parentline can lend a helping hand, seven days a week, 365 days a year – including Christmas day.
Guests were invited to explore displays that showed the development that has been possible at Parentline, and its ambition to support every family in Scotland at the touch of a button, thanks to the support of the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Find out more about Parentline on the Children 1st website at https://www.children1st.org.uk/parentline
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