Intercontinental Edinburgh The George announces St Columba’s as it’s Charity Partner for the year

InterContinental Edinburgh The George has announced St Columba’s Hospice Care, a world-leading hospice providing services around Edinburgh and the Lothians, as its charity of the year.

Chosen by hotel staff, the year-long partnership launched on Wednesday (4th May), and will raise vital funds for the charity with the introduction of new ‘invisible’ items on the menu at the hotel’s food and beverage outlets.

Guests at the Printing Press Bar & Kitchen will be able to add invisible chips (£5) to their bill, while visitors at Burr & Co will be able to add an invisible coffee (£3) to their order, with all proceeds going directly to the charity. Guests visiting for corporate and business events will also have the option to add £5 to their package, which could pay an invisible coffee break for a nurse.

This support will help the independent charity’s efforts to provide palliative and end-of-life care for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families, across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

St Columba’s Hospice Care provides free, world-leading hospice care through dedicated support in homes and local communities, a state-of-the-art hospice in Scotland’s capital city, as well as working with partners on education and further research.

Amanda Southey, Corporate Development Manager, St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be chosen as InterContinental Edinburgh The George’s Charity of the Year.

“We rely on the generosity of our supporters to continue providing our vital services to patients and their families – so this partnership is really important.

“We’re excited to see what the year brings, not just in terms of fundraising, but the awareness this will help bring St Columba’s Hospice Care as we aim to deliver the best possible care and support to all the families across Edinburgh and the Lothians that need us.”

Stephanie Lee, Director of Sales, InterContinental Edinburgh The George, said: “We are so proud to partner with St Columba’s Hospice Care, a charity chosen by our staff because many have known the incredible services offered by the hospice and its team.

“Knowing that the funds raised will be used to reach more families gives us great motivation to raise as much money as we can, and we are proud to support such a deserving local cause.”

Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity doubles up at SCVO national awards

Congratulations to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), who received not one but TWO top awards at last night’s SCVO Scottish Charity Awards event!

The charity explained on Facebook: ‘Something pretty AMAZING happened tonight … ECHC won the PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD at SCVO Scottish Charity Awards 2021! 🎉🏆

‘And then, just as we were gathering our thoughts and getting our emotions in check … we were announced as WINNERS of CHARITY OF THE YEAR too! 🤯

‘This is truly incredible. THANK YOU to everyone who voted for us and to our wonderful supporters, partners, volunteers and staff for your dedication in helping children and families in hospital.

‘This past year has been one of the toughest and we could not have done it without you all. So, this one’s for you…THANK YOU! ❤️🌟🥺

#twoawardsinonenight

#charityoftheyear

#peopleschoiceaward

#scottishcharityawards

ECHC’s Victoria Buchanan said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be named Charity of the Year and People’s Choice winner at the Scottish Charity Awards 2021! Through the tightest Covid restrictions and a hospital move; ECHC was privileged to stand alongside those ill, injured and shielding at home.

” From emergency care packs, silent discos, giant inflatable octopuses and record-breaking fundraising appeals, we pulled out all the stops to continue to bring fun, comfort and friendship to wards and waiting rooms and ease worries during one of the toughest years families have faced. 

“None of this would have been possible without the incredible dedication of our supporters, partners, staff and volunteers. This award is recognition of their phenomenal efforts to ensure children in hospital could be children first, patients second, even in a global pandemic.” 

https://youtu.be/C8chri-SO_o

You can watch the whole SCVO Scottish Charity Awards 2021 event on YouTube (above).

The winners of the annual awards ceremony dedicated to recognising Scotland’s voluntary sector were announced last night (1 October) in a glittering online event hosted by Sally Magnusson live from the EICC.

Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrates the best of the voluntary sector and this year’s shortlist included 47 individuals and organisations from charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the country.

The winner of each of the nine categories was decided by a judging panel, with the tenth People’s Choice category winner decided by the public, with over 12,000 votes cast. As a result this year one finalist received both the Charity of the Year and People’s Choice Awards!

The winners for 2021 are:

Campaign of the year – Stop It Now! Scotland – Get Help or Get Caught

Child Sexual Abuse impacts one in six children in Scotland and targeting offenders is one of the most important ways of tackling abuse before it happens. As a result of the ‘Get Help or Get Caught’ campaign over 79,000 people visited the team’s website and 185 people accessed specialist self-help resources designed for people who are worried about their own online behaviour towards children and young people.

Stuart Allardyce, Director Stop It Now! Scotland said: “We’re thrilled to have won Campaign of the Year for our #GetHelporGetCaught campaign – thank you so much. As a child protection charity, our aim at Stop It Now! Scotland is to prevent children from being sexually abused, whether that’s online or offline.

“Child sexual abuse affects one in six children across the UK, and the number of adults posing a threat to children is growing. Our campaign is one way to tackle that problem, by telling adults who are offending or who might offend about the harm they cause, the consequences, and the support our helpline and website provide to stop their illegal behaviour.”

A special commendation was given to Aberlour Children’s Charity – Aberlour Urgent Assistance Fund.

Volunteer of the year–Central and West Integration Network – Shawn Nicholas Fernandez

Shawn wants to be a role model for both BAME and disadvantaged communities. He successfully made an impact in communities across Glasgow by delivering Cyber Crime Prevention Awareness Workshops and also creating a space through a community gardening project to help refugees by encouraging them to spend more time in nature to benefit their mental health and wellbeing.

Sean said: “I am extremely overwhelmed and proud to be part of Central and West Integration Network and a special thanks goes to all the Staffs and the beautiful volunteers who are always working unconditionally without expectations.  

“By winning this award, I hope it will be an eye opener and encouragement for other volunteers especially those that are socially excluded. Nothing is impossible if we put our minds to it.  Every organisation should recognise their volunteers and their contributions to the community because they are the cornerstone and should be rewarded.  

“Circumstances in life may not always turn out the way we want it to be. Life may not be as smooth as we want it to be. But hard work, dedication and perseverance goes a long way. Thank you.” 

A special commendation was given to Bob MacKenzie from CACE (Cumbernauld Action on Care of the Elderly)

Pioneering project – Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs – Click and Deliver Naloxone

Over the last ten years, nearly 10,000 families in Scotland lost a loved one through drug-related death. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdose, providing vital time to call an ambulance. 

The team at Scottish Families recognised the need for access to this vital medication and launched a unique national Click and Deliver service, providing training and free Naloxone by post to any adult in Scotland. From May 2020 until March 2021, the team issued 295 kits, potentially saving 295 lives.

CEO Justina Murray said: “We are absolutely delighted to win the Pioneering Project Award. This life saving project was set up in a matter of days, at the height of lockdown and we are so proud of it.

“Our colleague Suzanne Gallagher has done an awe inspiring job of running this service from her front room, delivering 743 kits and counting. Thanks also need to go to Kirsten Horsburgh and our friends at Scottish Drugs Forum for everything they have done to help create and promote this service.”  

Employee of the year – Carers Trust Scotland – Nicola Bell

Nicola has achieved a huge amount in the last 12 months. Working with young carers, she set up #Supermarkets4Change, campaigning to raise awareness of unpaid carers with supermarkets to include young carers in the protected hours set aside for vulnerable people to shop. 

This work, led to those young people nominating her for the Scottish Youth Parliament Support Worker of the Year Award, which she went on to successfully win. Resources she produced for professionals and young carers on the topic of supporting carers through a whole family approach have been so well received they are being translated into other languages by European carers organisations to use in their own countries.

She said: “I am so honoured to have won Employee of the Year! I would not be here without the support of the amazing Carers Trust Scotland team and the Scottish Young Carers Services Alliance. To all the incredible young carers & young adult carers – thank you!

“I feel very proud to work with such inspiring colleagues, services and young people each day.”  

A special commendation was given to Fiona Mitchell from Harlawhill Day Care Centre.

Community Action – Cumbernauld Resilience

Cumbernauld Resilience was established in March 2020 as a community-based response to the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic. It united people from all over Cumbernauld from a diverse demographic to reach out and help their neighbours.

The team has over 120 volunteers who have freely given their time, expertise and commitment to distribute over 90,000 meals and other essentials to locals – even hosting Christmas celebrations for over 600 people!

Chair Tony Murphy said: “As a relatively new charity, we are humbled and delighted to have been recognised in this way. We are especially delighted to have won in the Community Action Category as, from the outset, Cumbernauld Resilience’s ethos has been about mobilising the wonderful community spirit that exists in our town to help those in need.    

“Thank you so much to every supporter, donor and volunteer – without your unbelievable support and unselfish commitment we really wouldn’t have been able to reach out and help so many in our community during their hour of need.”

Climate Conscious – Forth Valley Sensory Centre – Making Sense of Energy Saving

The project helped  people cut their energy bills, despite the pandemic, but also secured new heating systems, warmer home payments and even new windows for a number of deaf and blind people who were struggling to heat their homes and pay their bills.

On top of this, with the change to LED lighting in the centre and the advice provided to centre users in braille, workshops, accessible video and BSL, it saved the equivalent of 300 tonnes of CO2.

Chief Executive Jacquie Winning said: “This award covers two of the biggest issues in today’s society, accessibility and the climate emergency.

“Thank you to everyone who supported us and to the staff at our Centre for making such an innovative project come to fruition!” 

Trustee of the year – Linkes (SCIO) – Robert Smith

Robert is the co-founder and driving force of Linkes community project (2006), serving as chairperson to promote integration, empowerment and social inclusion. In response to the pandemic, he was visionary and determined, quickly building alliances to set-up a food distribution project.

Between March – September 2020, Robert’s team of volunteers delivered a whopping 18,000 meals and 2,000 grocery packs. Since October he has also overseen logistics of a weekly food-hub. Robert makes the magic happen, whether he is running board meetings, bulk buying food, driving the van, supporting new volunteers, making friendly phone calls– he is an unstoppable force for good.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive this award. It’s not something I expected as the other finalists have all achieved incredible things and I’d like to congratulate them on their work.

“I would also like to thank the amazing team of staff, board and volunteers at Linkes, our partners and funders and everyone else in the community who contributes to what we do. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved in what has been an extremely difficult year and on behalf of the team at Linkes, I’d like to say a big thank you for this award.” 

A special commendation was given to Julia Grindley from Edinburgh School Uniform Bank.

Digital citizens – People Know How

People Know How believe in the inextricable link between social and digital isolation and the pandemic has only reinforced that view.

Over the last year the team has provided devices, digital skills and connectivity to thousands of people across Edinburgh and East Lothian. In doing so, the team has helped people stay connected with loved ones, access support and home-school their children.

Throughout this work they identified that the biggest obstacle to digital inclusion is data poverty, which is why they have now launched a national campaign to end data poverty.

Claudia Baldacchino, Communications & IT Officer, said: “It’s an honour to have been awarded the Digital Citizens Award. We’re so proud of our volunteers and staff for achieving so much over the last year, supporting thousands of people with devices, digital skills and connectivity.

“We’d also like to thank all our partners and funders who have made this work possible through their support and collaboration. We will continue to combat data poverty and digital exclusion as we recover from the pandemic and beyond, and can’t wait to see what the future brings.”  

A special commendation was given to Space – The Louise Project.

Charity of the year AND People’s Choice Award – Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC)

Covid-19 has been a rollercoaster for everyone; no less for children and families in hospital and those privileged to support them. Innovation and dedication from supporters, partners, staff and volunteers saw support for children shielding at home, in wards and waiting rooms continue through the tightest regulations and a hospital move. From emergency care packs, silent discos, inflatable octopuses and record-breaking fundraising appeals, ECHC has excelled to ensure children in hospital are children first, patients second, even in a global pandemic.

Victoria Buchanan said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be named Charity of the Year and People’s Choice winner at the Scottish Charity Awards 2021! Through the tightest Covid restrictions and a hospital move; ECHC was privileged to stand alongside those ill, injured and shielding at home.

“From emergency care packs, silent discos, giant inflatable octopuses and record-breaking fundraising appeals, we pulled out all the stops to continue to bring fun, comfort and friendship to wards and waiting rooms and ease worries during one of the toughest years families have faced. 

“None of this would have been possible without the incredible dedication of our supporters, partners, staff and volunteers. This award is recognition of their phenomenal efforts to ensure children in hospital could be children first, patients second, even in a global pandemic.” 

A special commendation was given in the Charity of the Year category to North Edinburgh’s Scran Academy SCIO.

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of SCVO, said: “At SCVO we know that fantastic work is going on all the time in the voluntary sector and we were delighted to celebrate the achievements and successes of our finalists and winners at this year’s Scottish Charity Awards.

“We had a record-breaking number of entries this year and each one demonstrated just how well the voluntary sector has responded and adapted to changes and restrictions over the past 12 months.

“Thanks to our sponsors, the team at the EICC, our host Sally Magnusson and everyone who applied and voted for making this year’s Awards so special. Congratulations to our winners for 2021!”

Find out more about all this year’s finalists.

SCVO announces Scottish Charity Awards 2021 finalists

People’s Choice voting is now open

After a record-breaking number of applications, the 47 finalists for the 2021 #ScotCharityAwards have been announced!

The vote is now live for the People’s Choice Award, so take a look at the shortlist below and vote for your favourite finalist now!

The categories this year are:

  • Campaign of the Year
  • Charity of the Year
  • Climate Conscious
  • Community Action
  • Digital Citizens
  • Employee of the Year
  • Pioneering Project
  • Trustee of the Year
  • Volunteer of the Year

Members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award – voting closes at 5pm on 27 August. 

You only have ONE vote, so choose your favourite carefully!

See all 47 below:

#KeepTalking – RSABI

RSABI provides practical, emotional and financial support to people in Scottish agriculture. Working in agriculture can be isolating, especially during the pandemic. Our helpline calls were increasing so we needed to do something to help keep people connected. RSA…

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Campaign of the Year

Aberlour Urgent Assistance Fund – Aberlour Children’s Charity

Aberlour’s Urgent Assistance Fund campaign shone a light on the financial cost of Covid-19 to children and families in Scotland and provided essentials like food, heating, clothing and beds to children who would otherwise have gone without. The campaign launched i…

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Campaign of the Year

Alistair Brown – Bridge Community Project

Alistair is a volunteer within the Bridge Community Project’s Financial Wellbeing Service, where he provides hope to vulnerable members of the West Lothian community who are experiencing financial and personal challenges. His approach focuses on developing positiv…

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Volunteer of the Year

Andrew Robertson, CBE – Carers Trust Scotland

Andrew’s influence, guidance and support has helped the trust secure an incredible amount of funding in the last 12 months alone. He liaised with key experts in Covid-19, which was instrumental in the charity securing funding for its recently launched research on…

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Volunteer of the Year

Anne’s Law – Care Home Relatives Scotland

The team has worked tirelessly with the Scottish Government, Parliament and Infection Prevention and Control specialists to improve guidance and enable meaningful contact with care home residents cut off from their loved ones due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Campaign of the Year

Bob MacKenzie – CACE (Cumbernauld Action on Care of the Elderly)

Bob joined Cumbernauld Action on Care of the Elderly after becoming a service user, he then registered as a volunteer because he wanted to support others who felt isolated. Bob became a Befriender to someone who was bedridden after suffering a stroke, providing…

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Volunteer of the Year

Cassiltoun Housing Association

The team has redesigned hundreds of events and workshops to take them online, coordinated a Castlemilk-wide emergency response and created a Wellbeing Community Chest. It has improved services with a digital transformation strategy, formed a digital lending librar…

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Charity of the Year

Chris Grant – AbilityNet

During the toughest of years for so many, Chris focused on ensuring AbilityNet’s older and disabled clients remain – or become part of – the digital world at a time when it’s become more crucial than ever. Thanks to him over 1,000 older and disabled people have no…

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Employee of the Year

Click and Deliver Naloxone – Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs

Over the last ten years, nearly 10,000 families in Scotland lost a loved one through drug-related death. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdose, providing vital time to call an ambulance. The team at Scottish Families recognised the nee…

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Pioneering Project

Create:Inclusion – Macrobert Arts Centre

The team at Macrobert Arts Centre believes the arts should be for everyone and recognised that there was a clear need to make performances more inclusive for the Deaf community. Creative Scotland’s Create:Inclusion programme resourced this innovative project to de…

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Pioneering Project

Cumbernauld Resilience

Cumbernauld Resilience was established in March 2020 as a community-based response to the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic. It united people from all over Cumbernauld from a diverse demographic to reach out and help their neighbours. The team has over 120 voluntee…

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Community Action

Douglas Sewell – Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland

Douglas is more than a volunteer for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) – he is a life-changer. He does everything he can to help fellow stroke survivors in their recovery. When the pandemic hit, Douglas was first in line to suggest creative ways for stroke su…

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Volunteer of the Year

Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC)

Covid-19 has been a rollercoaster for everyone; no less for children and families in hospital and those privileged to support them. Innovation and dedication from supporters, partners, staff and volunteers saw support for children shielding at home, in wards and w…

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Charity of the Year

Emergency Food Provision – COVID 19 – Cyrenians

In response to the pandemic and in partnership with Natwest, last year Cyrenians launched a full-scale food production service; cooking and delivering more than 5,000 freezer-friendly, healthy and delicious ready meals every week to local people who were unable to…

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Pioneering Project

Fiona Davis – Fringe Society

The Fringe is widely recognised as one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture on the planet. It is a worldwide brand that speaks to the values of being open, welcoming, inclusive, pioneering, international, experimental and innovative. Pursuing a vision…

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Trustee of the Year

Fiona Mitchell – Harlawhill Day Care Centre

As the manager of Harlawhill Day Centre, Fiona supports the elderly community of Prestonpans every day. When lockdown struck in 2020 she put an immediate outreach plan in place to keep all the centre’s clients socially connected, and tirelessly organised free meal…

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Employee of the Year

Get Help or Get Caught – Stop It Now! Scotland

Child Sexual Abuse impacts one in six children in Scotland and targeting offenders is one of the most important ways of tackling abuse before it happens. As a result of the ‘Get Help or Get Caught’ campaign over 79,000 people visited the team’s website and 185 peo…

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Campaign of the Year

Glasgow Afghan United – Covid Response Project

GAU is proudly embedded in the communities it serves and is fully responsive to the needs of those they work with. When lockdown hit the team acted quickly and decisively with a new food delivery service that has helped hundreds of people. They also delivered onli…

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Community Action

Glasgow’s Golden Generation

In 2020 Glasgow’s Golden Generation was awarded funding to get older adults online. However, most service users had never used technology before so GGG bought tablet computers and developed a bespoke app with videos, Covid updates, puzzles and befriending video ca…

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Digital Citizens

Julia Grindley – Edinburgh School Uniform Bank

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank is a volunteer-run charity, which is a safety net for struggling families and a vital resource for education and health professionals – and when pandemic restrictions were put in place Julia knew she had to keep the service open. Desp…

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Trustee of the Year

Lead Scotland

Lead’s aim is to provide accessible digital skills and cyber safety training to disabled people, unpaid carers, practitioners and people experiencing barriers to learning. With a small team of five staff, they supported 989 people to improve their digital skills a…

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Digital Citizens

Lilias Dunlop – Cosgrove Care

Lilias’ particular focus over the past four years has been to fundamentally change how Cosgrove Care approaches fundraising, and to improve the environments in which people live, and the charity operates within. She has spent many hours researching grants and has…

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Trustee of the Year

Linda Walker – Wheatley Care

Linda wants the team she works with to be recognised for the outcomes they accomplished. Valuing the team and working together is essential to achieving the best possible outcomes for the most vulnerable in our communities. Linda believes she has become an effecti…

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Employee of the Year

Long Covid Care Now – Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland

Long Covid Care Now continues to raise awareness and push for better care – ensuring that people with Long Covid are not the forgotten victims of the pandemic. Thanks to the campaign’s activities public awareness is high, the Scottish Government has committed fund…

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Campaign of the Year

Lorraine Jarvie – MOOD

Our application aims to highlight the hard work and achievements of our manager, Lorraine Jarvie. Lorraine has brought a wealth of experience and a new level of excellence and professionalism to MOOD ensuring its services are delivered to the highest standards. Lo…

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Employee of the Year

Making Sense of Energy Saving – Forth Valley Sensory Centre

The project helped people cut their energy bills, despite the pandemic, but also secured new heating systems, warmer home payments and even new windows for a number of deaf and blind people who were struggling to heat their homes and pay their bills. On top of thi…

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Climate Conscious

Nicola Bell – Carers Trust Scotland

Nicola has achieved a huge amount in the last 12 months. Working with young carers, she set up #Supermarkets4Change, campaigning to raise awareness of unpaid carers with supermarkets to include young carers in the protected hours set aside for vulnerable people to…

Find out more & vote

Employee of the Year

One Parent Families Scotland – Edinburgh

COVID-19 brought the impacts of digital exclusion for single parent families into sharp focus. Not only did One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) respond with a gifting campaign that distributed over 100 new laptops, tablets and mifi connections over the period, but…

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Digital Citizens

PEEKACHEW – PEEK Possibilities for Each and Every Kid

The PEEK team has continued to support Glasgow communities throughout lockdown – reaching out, offering a helping hand, a shoulder to lean on and a listening ear. Through their PEEKACHEW mobile food truck, the team delivered the equivalent of 353,891 healthy meals…

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Pioneering Project

Pamela Noble – Kyle & Lochalsh Community Trust (KLCT)

Pam Noble was a trustee of Kyle and Lochalsh Community Trust from 2017 until 2021 and its chair from 2018. The projects developed under Pam’s leadership have established strong foundations for a sustainable future supported by extensive community consultation. The…

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Trustee of the Year

People Know How

People Know How believe in the inextricable link between social and digital isolation and the pandemic has only reinforced that view. Over the last year the team has provided devices, digital skills and connectivity to thousands of people across Edinburgh and East…

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Digital Citizens

Pride & Pixels – LGBT Youth Scotland

LGBT Youth Scotland worked alongside LGBTI young people and a taskforce from JP Morgan to create a digital community called ‘Pride and Pixels’, which combined a community Discord space and a Moodle learning hub to create a digital space for young people where they…

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Pioneering Project

R:evolve Recycle – LEAP

R:evolve Recycle is a unique project managed by LEAP, a charity that works to enhance the lives of older people across Scotland through volunteering, learning, socialising and befriending. R:evolve’s goal is to reduce clothing consumption, cutdown carbon emissions…

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Climate Conscious

Recovery Enterprises Scotland CIC

The team, made up mainly of volunteers, give their time, and have their own lived experiences – and therefore are totally accepted and trusted by the most vulnerable.  RES is about shared trust. It has reached a diverse range of the community, crossing numerous ag…

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Community Action

Robert Smith – Linkes (SCIO)

Robert is the co-founder and driving force of Linkes community project (2006), serving as chairperson to promote integration, empowerment and social inclusion. In response to the pandemic, he was visionary and determined, quickly building alliances to set-up a foo…

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Trustee of the Year

Rosie Sinclair – Edinburgh Tool Library

The Edinburgh Tool Library (ETL) got involved with the Edinburgh Mask Makers (EMM) collective, set up and coordinated by nominee Rosie Sinclair, during the first lockdown in 2020. Rosie, together with three other coordinators, Dhouha Mastouri, Martha Mattos Coelho…

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Volunteer of the Year

Save Your Outdoor Centres Campaign

The aim of the ‘Save Your Outdoor Centres’ campaign was to secure funding from the Scottish Government to ensure that Scotland’s Residential Outdoor Education Centres did not close. Not only did the campaign succeed in getting £2 million of funding, it brought tog…

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Campaign of the Year

Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (Scottish SPCA)

The team delivered critical services to support people and animals during the coronavirus pandemic. They pioneered an emergency foster scheme during lockdown getting over 260 animals into loving homes, launched their first ever online rehoming service to allow peo…

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Charity of the Year

Scran Academy SCIO

SCRAN coordinated a coalition of charities that produced, packaged and delivered nearly 150,000 meals during the first lockdown, supporting over 1,000 people per week at its height. None of it possible without the 220 local people  who gave tens-of-thousands of ho…

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Charity of the Year

Shawn Nicholas Fernandez – Central and West Integration Network

Shawn wants to be a role model for both BAME and disadvantaged communities. He has successfully made an impact in communities across Glasgow by delivering Cyber-crime Prevention Awareness Workshops and also creating a space through a community gardening pr…

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Volunteer of the Year

The Flourishing Well

During the pandemic The Flourishing Well received many referrals to help support traumatised people. The team had to adapt really quickly to the online platform – after receiving their first round of funding in July 2020, by December they had hosted 352 one-to-one…

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Community Action

The Louise Project

The Louise Project is a place where all are welcome and where people are safe to be vulnerable. We support families experiencing poverty to transform their own lives and to be active participants in the transformation of their community. We work in a relational an…

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Pioneering Project

The Space

In April 2020 The Space launched its Digital Inclusion Service so families could learn about the internet, how to use their devices, and attend online activities. The team enabled 41 families to become digitally active and 20 more restarted their education online…

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Digital Citizens

TripleTapTech

TripleTapTech aims to provide advice, help, support and training to anyone with a visual impairment in accessing and using technology. This includes teaching basic and advanced skills used to successfully access and prosper in the digital world. The team aims to p…

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Community Action

WHALE Arts

WHALE Arts has constantly adapted activities in response to the needs of the community over the last year and a half, with online classes, free weekly community meals on a take-away basis, delivering food, making and delivering art packs and sending wellbeing pack…

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Charity of the Year

West Lothian Foodbank SCIO

The Covid-19 pandemic has increased food insecurity across Scotland through shielding, furlough, unemployment, rise of domestic abuse and withdrawing of some support services for vulnerable people. West Lothian Foodbank created a food network with partners and vol…

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Charity of the Year

Young Leaders Development Programme – 2050 Climate Group

With over 70 volunteers, five staff, and a network of 550+ Young Leaders, 2050 Climate Group equips young people with leadership skills to challenge the climate crisis. 2050 Climate Group was born from a need to empower, equip and enable young leaders from across…

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Climate Conscious

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Edinburgh charity Hearts & Minds selected as Charity of the Year by Raeburn Construction & Training

Hearts & Minds, the award-winning Edinburgh charity, is delighted to have been selected by leading Fife companies Raeburn Construction & Raeburn Training as their Charity of the Year for 2021.

Over the next year the two companies, owned by Scott and Sarah Raeburn, are planning to undertake a number of live and virtual fundraising events involving the staff and their families to support the work of Hearts & Minds and the Clowndoctors & Elderflowers.

Their first breath-taking challenge is going to be an adrenalin packed 40m bungee jump off a bridge in Killiecrankie, Perthshire!

Raeburn Construction has been operating since May 2006, is based in Kirkcaldy and operates mainly in Edinburgh and Fife providing a groundwork civil engineering service to main contractors besides working with housebuilders and developers fulfilling full build projects.

Raeburn Training was launched in August 2019, it is also based in Kirkcaldy and provides Health and Safety training across all industry types and also specialises in construction safety training.  Clients include companies, candidates and the employability sectors, assisting candidates gain essential skills to gain employment, a very rewarding part of our business.

Both companies are operated with a family feel and aim to provide a good place for employees to work and be part of a growing successful company. This is why the work of the charity felt like the perfect fit to work together over the next year.

The Clowndoctors and Elderflowers use the art of therapeutic clowning to bring magic, joy and laughter into the everyday lives of children facing long-term medical conditions and people living with dementia developing meaningful human connections in times of adversity.

They currently deliver all visits virtually into homes, classrooms and care homes across Scotland.

Scott and Sarah Raeburn, Directors said: “We have heard a lot about Hearts & Minds and appreciate the challenges of continuing charity work at this time. Both Sarah and I have a friend whose daughter has experienced first hand the joy of a visit from the clowns whilst at the Sick Kids Hospital, Edinburgh and she spoke very highly of the difference it made to her daughter’s day.

“The simplicity of making someone smile or laugh everyday was inspiring.”

Rebecca Simpson, CEO Hearts & Minds commented: “Hearts & Minds is absolutely delighted to be chosen by Raeburn Construction and Raeburn Training, it is a tough time for charities and even more so for the people we connect with in hospitals, hospices, and care homes.

“This support is invaluable and will help us reach more people through our Clowndoctor and Elderflower programmes.  We look forward to developing our relationship with the Raeburn team and we are excited about working with them on their fundraising campaigns.”

For more information on Raeburn Training visit https://www.raeburntraining.co.uk/

For more information on Raeburn Construction visit https://www.raeburnconstruction.co.uk/

Sainsbury’s says a fond farewell to Meningitis Research Foundation

Time to say goodbye to Charity of the Year 2015/16

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Sainsburys Blackhall have been supporting Meningitis Research Foundation for the last year as our store’s Local Charity of the Year (writes Gail Wilson).

It is now time to say goodbye, and colleagues from Blackhall presented a cheque for £12,605.13 to Alison Baker from Meningitis Research Foundation.

We have had a great time supporting and raising funds for MRF and would like to thank all colleagues and customers for their help in reaching our final total. We would also like to wish all at MRF good luck in the future.

Pictured: Gail Wilson, Susan Keiller, Trish Donlevy and Alison Baker

REMEMBER Voting for Sainsbury’s Blackhall Charity of the Year 2016-17 is open now!