Inspiring Volunteer Awards

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

We are delighted to announce that we have now opened the nominations for this year’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards 2026

These awards celebrate the amazing people and groups who volunteer in Edinburgh.

Do you know someone or a team who deserves an award? You can nominate them! We want to celebrate as many volunteers as possible.

Every volunteer who is nominated gets a certificate. Some lucky nominees will be invited to collect theirs at a special ceremony with Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, and others will get theirs by post.

The ceremony will take place on Tuesday 2 June during Volunteers’ Week (1–7 June) at Edinburgh City Chambers.

Who can be nominated?

Volunteers must live or volunteer in Edinburgh
They must be at least 11 years old
They must have volunteered for at least six months
Previous winners cannot be nominated again

You can nominate individuals, teams, or for special awards. Fill in the online form here: voled.in/nominations.

Special Recognition Awards

Arts, Culture & Heritage Volunteer – helps with arts, museums, theatre, or heritage projects
Charity Shop Volunteer – works in charity shops with customers, tills, or donations
Digital Volunteer – helps with social media, websites, IT, or marketing
Environment/Conservation Volunteer – works outdoors, gardens, or teaches about nature
Fundraising Volunteer – helps raise money for a charity or organisation
Health & Social Care Volunteer – supports people in the community to improve health and wellbeing
Long-Standing Contribution Award – someone who has volunteered 10 years or more
Sports Volunteer – supports sports and active lifestyles in the community
Team of the Year – a group of volunteers who have worked together to make a big difference
Trustee Volunteer – someone who helps lead a charity or community group
Young Volunteer – for volunteers aged 11–25 showing great dedication

Lord Provost Awards

Paul Bennett Volunteer Manager Award – for volunteer managers who go above and beyond to support volunteers
Ian McInnes Award for Inclusion and Diversity – for individuals or organisations that champion equality, diversity, and inclusion in volunteering
Inspiring Volunteer of the Year
All individual nominations are considered for this top award. Judges look at commitment, impact, and dedication. The winner will be chosen by the Lord Provost. Past winners are added to the Honour Board at City Chambers.

Thank you for helping us celebrate the incredible volunteers in Edinburgh!

For more information, contact Jason McCann at Volunteer Edinburgh:

Phone: 0131 561 8310

Email: events@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk

Good Luck!

Dog and Cat Home hero honoured at Inspiring Volunteer Awards

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is celebrating one of its dedicated team members and volunteers, Wendy Loftus, who has been recognised for her outstanding commitment to animal welfare at this year’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards.

Wendy, who serves as a Data Analyst & Pet Food Drive Volunteer at the Home, has dedicated countless hours as a Data Analyst. She works closely with the Fundraising Administrator on data input for various campaigns, often managing time-consuming tasks.

Recently, Wendy also signed up as a Pet Food Drive volunteer, fundraising at local supermarkets to support the Pet Food Bank.

Her ability to engage with the public passionately about the Home’s work has been invaluable, and her collaborative spirit and innovative ideas have significantly contributed to the success of the charity’s different initiatives.

At a special ceremony at the City Chambers, Wendy received a certificate presented by Robert Aldridge, The Rt. Hon. Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the Home and the wider community.

Wendy commented: “I was brought up with the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home being part of my life.

“It is nice to be able to give something back to a Charity that has given three generations of my family so much joy & pleasure over the years, with the dogs we’ve been allowed to rehome.”

Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine, CEO of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, added: “Wendy truly embodies the spirit of volunteering. Her dedication and warmth have brought comfort to countless animals and inspired our entire team.

“We’re thrilled that her efforts have been recognised at such a prestigious event.”

The Inspiring Volunteer Awards shine a spotlight on the individuals who make Edinburgh a better place through selfless service. Wendy’s recognition is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the power of community-driven support for animal welfare.

To learn more about volunteering opportunities at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, visit www.edch.org.uk.

Inspiring Volunteer Awards: Nominations now open

VOLUNTEER Edinburgh are delighted to announce that we have opened the nominations for this years Inspiring Volunteer Awards 2022.

As always, every volunteer who is nominated will receive a certificate, and we will welcome a number of specially selected volunteers to an event hosted by Edinburgh’s Rt Hon Lord Provost at the City Chambers.

This event is being held during Volunteers’ Week (1 to 7 June), and this year the date for the ceremony will be on Wednesday 1 June.

Thanks again for your support in recognising the fantastic achievements of all our amazing volunteers in Edinburgh. These last two years we have seen and have a better understanding of the power of the volunteer.

Is there an individual or a group within your organisation that deserves an Inspiring Volunteer Award? Why not consider nominating them. We want to recognise and celebrate as many volunteers as possible!

Closing date for nominations is 1st April 2022 so don’t delay and nominate today!

For more information please follow the link below to Volunteer Edinburgh website where you can find nomination guidelines and additional info for each type of award.

Please help us to promote the awards nominations using the short url:

voled.in/nominations

Thanks

Jason McCann

Events & Volunteer Coordinator

Inspiring Volunteer Awards POSTPONED

Inspiring Volunteer Awards have been postponed!

I’m sure this will come as no surprise but due to the current and ever changing situation, we have decided to postpone this year’s ceremony that was planned for Wednesday 3 June. No decision has been made for a future date as yet, but rest assured that we will communicate this when it happens.

We have subsequently re-opened nominations and as yet we don’t have a deadline, so get nominating! If you have already submitted your nominations, thank you. These will be retained and you will have the option to either use these or submit a new one.

Thanks again for your support in recognising the fantastic achievements of our amazing volunteers in Edinburgh. I’m sure you will agree that they will continue to be a vital part of our success now and going forward.

To nominate and for more information please visit voled.in/nominations
or contact me via email for any additional queries at events@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk

Jason McCann

Events Coordinator

Inspiring Volunteer Awards: still time to nominate

Only 1 week to go until the Nominations deadline of 27 March

Nominations for this year’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards ceremony are closing soon …

This ceremony reflects the exceptional range of organisations and individuals working in the city’s vibrant charity and non-profit sectors.

The Rt. Hon Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh will honour some of the dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy and commitment to the people of Edinburgh at a special awards ceremony on Wednesday 3 June 2020 at the City Chambers.

If you know an individual, team or project that has exceeded expectations and deserves recognition, nominate them for an Inspiring Volunteer Award! Or check out the Ian McInnes Award or the one off 2020 Impact Award for something a little bit different and unique.

To nominate and for more information please visit voled.in/nominations
or contact me via email for any additional queries at events@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk

Jason McCann

Events Coordinator

find out more

Nominate your inspiring volunteers

Inspiring Volunteering Achievement Awards 2015

Edinburgh’s Volunteering Ambassador the Lord Provost Donald Wilson will honour some of the dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy and commitment to the people of Edinburgh at a special awards ceremony to take place on Tuesday 16 June at The City Chambers.

Now nine years old, Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteering Achievement Awards reflect the exceptional range of organisations and individuals working in the city’s vibrant charity and non-profit sectors.

Nominations are now invited for this year’s awards, and can be submitted online here:https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/IVA2015

Organisations are welcome to nominate up to three individual volunteers and one team of volunteers.

Some lucky nominees will be invited to accept their award at the City Chambers, others will receive a certificate in the post. ALL nominated volunteers will receive a certificate either in person or in the post.

Eligibility criteria for 2015:

· The Awards are only open to people volunteering in the City of Edinburgh

· There are no age restrictions.

· Volunteers must have volunteered for at least six months with your organisation before being eligible to be nominated.

· If they have previously received an “Inspiring Volunteering Certificate” at the City Chambers they should not be nominated again.

· Only fully completed nominations will be considered for individuals or teams, and we will quote from these statements when presenting the awards.

Shortlisted nominations will be considered by the Lord Provost for the ‘Lord Provost of Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer of the Year Award 2015’.

Special recognition categories to highlight some of the diverse areas of volunteering across the City of Edinburgh include:

· A Young Volunteer (aged between 11 and 25 years old)

· Long Standing Contribution to Volunteering Award (an individual who has volunteered for 10 years or more, and has made an outstanding contribution)

· Charity Shop Volunteer

· Fundraising Volunteer

· Trustee Volunteer

· Health & Social Care Volunteer (volunteers engaged in health and social care, including support work, befriending or projects which reduce social isolation and help assist independent living)

· Sports Volunteer (volunteers actively involved in supporting sports in their communities).

· Environment & Conservation Volunteer (volunteers engaged in environmental activities including education, conservation or gardening).

· Arts, Culture & Heritage Volunteer

· Housing / Tenant participation champion *** Introduced in 2014 ***

The Awards Ceremony usually takes place during Volunteers Week – which runs every year from the 1– 7 June, however in 2015 it will be take place on the later date of Tuesday 16 June. Nominations will close on 1 April 2015 at 8pm.

We also encourage volunteer involving organisations to organise their own recognition events during Volunteers’ Week, whether that be their own mini awards ceremony, coffee morning, lunch or social activity that recognises and celebrates the contribution of their volunteers. It’s a great opportunity to do something to say thank you, and show your volunteers that they are valued and appreciated.

Lord Provost Donald Wilson, said: “There are thousands of dedicated and inspiring volunteers in Edinburgh selflessly giving up their own time to help and support others. These awards are simply one way of recognising some of their tremendous work, and their contribution to the wellbeing of our city’s residents cannot be overstated.”

Kris Von Wald, Convenor of Volunteer Centre Edinburgh, said: “The Lord Provost has agreed to present these awards because he recognises how important volunteers are to Edinburgh and its residents. The Awards seek to acknowledge the hard work, commitment, energy and positive difference that volunteers make”.

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