Tag: Scottish Charity Awards 2024

Scottish Charity Awards 2024 winners announced 

Scotland’s voluntary sector celebrated at SCVO’s annual awards ceremony

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 39 individuals and organisations from charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the country. 

The celebratory awards ceremony took place at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow on Thursday, June 20. 

The winner of each of the ten categories was decided by a judging panel, with the 11th People’s Choice category winner decided by the public with over 16,500 votes cast online.

The winners of the Scottish Charity Awards 2024 are: 

· Charity of the Year (turnover over £500k): Fife Young Carers 

· Charity of the Year (turnover under £500k): Playlist for Life 

· Partnership of the Year: SOHTIS (Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland) and Simon Community Scotland  

· Volunteer of the Year award: Mary Hepburn, Fife Rape and Sexual Assault Centre  

· Climate Impact: Forth Rivers Trust 

· Campaign of the Year: Aberlour Children’s Charity, Cancelling School Meal Debt 

· Community Impact: Fersands and Fountain SCIO  

· Employee of the Year: Amanda Fleet, Highlands and Islands Students’ Association 

· Trustee of the Year: Michelle Robertson, Fallin Community Voice 

· Digital Difference: Lead Scotland 

· People’s Choice: Simba 

Anna Fowlie, chief executive of SCVO, said: “Once again, we enjoyed a fabulous evening for the 2024 Charity Awards. We had a record number of entrants this year, and a record number of votes for the People’s Choice.

“With 39 finalists over the ten categories, you can see the huge diversity of the Scottish voluntary sector. Our finalists were rural and urban, working with older people and young people, large and small, and working with everything from human trafficking to recycling. I’m in awe.  

“There were 11 great winners because this year we split Charity of the Year into smaller and larger organisations – a bonus! It was such an inspiring evening, full of people and organisations who make Scotland a better place.” 

Edinburgh charities nominated for national awards

Vote for your favourite Scottish Charity Awards finalist!

Nine Edinburgh-based organisations have been named as finalists for this year’s Scottish Charity Awards. 

Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector.

This year’s shortlist includes 39 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country. While a judging panel will determine the winners under ten distinct categories, members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award – by visiting scvo.scot/vote – before 5pm on Friday 24 May 2024.

The nine Edinburgh-based organisations and individuals who have been shortlisted are:

  • The Yard – Our Kids Won’t Wait – Campaign of the Year
  • Grassmarket Community Project – Kevin Radzynski – Employee of the Year
  • Forth Rivers Trust – Climate Impact
  • Edinburgh Tool Library and LGBT Health and Wellbeing – Partnership of the Year
  • Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans – Michael Craig – Trustee of the Year
  • Cancer Card – Jen Hardy – Trustee of the Year
  • Lead Scotland – Digital Difference
  • Fischy Music – Charity of the Year (turnover under £500k)
  • Edinburgh Women’s Aid – Charity of the Year (turnover over £500k)

Winners will be announced on 20 June 2024 in a celebratory awards ceremony hosted by broadcaster Sally Magnusson at the Raddison Blu in Glasgow.

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive, SCVO said: “We’re very excited to bring you the 2024 Scottish Charity Awards. It’s been another record-breaking year with nearly 500 entries, so arriving at the 39 finalists has been really difficult.

“The finalists demonstrate just how essential the voluntary sector is to Scottish society, with dedicated organisations and individuals going above and beyond to make a positive and often life-changing impact in their communities.

“The public has the chance to celebrate each of our finalists through the People’s Choice vote which is now open, so don’t miss your opportunity to get involved and get behind your favourite finalist by voting!

“I’d like to wish all our finalists the very best of luck and look forward to shining a light on their essential contributions at our awards ceremony in June.”

The full shortlist is:

Campaign of the year

  • The Yard – Our Kids Won’t Wait
  • Aberlour Children’s Charity – Cancelling School Meal Debt
  • Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre – Never Allowed
  • Diabetes Scotland – Diabetes Tech Can’t Wait

Volunteer of the year

  • Mary Osei-Oppong – African and Caribbean Elders in Scotland
  • Mary Hepburn – Fife Rape and Sexual Assault Centre
  • Lauren Boag – Scottish Huntington’s Association
  • David Corstorphine – RNLI 

Partnership of the Year

  • SOHTIS (Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland)
  • Edinburgh Tool Library and LGBT Health and Wellbeing
  • Larkhall & District Volunteer Group and Heart of Africa
  • Special Olympics Grampian Area, Special Olympics GB and Inclusive Skating

Employee of the Year

  • Vicki McGrain Rae – Asthma and Allergy Foundation
  • Amanda Fleet – Highlands and Islands Students’ Association
  • Janice Lee – Ardgowan Hospice
  • Kevin Radzynski – Grassmarket Community Project

Community Impact

  • Feeling Strong
  • National Ugly Mugs (NUM)
  • Fersands and Fountain SCIO
  • Creatovators CIC 

Climate Impact

  • The Volunteer Tutors Organisation
  • Forth Rivers Trust
  • R:evolve Recycle 

Trustee of the Year

  • Ken Brown – Bridge Community Project
  • Michael Craig – Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans
  • Jen Hardy – Cancer Card
  • Michelle Robertson – Fallin Community Voice

Digital Difference

  • Lead Scotland
  • The Why Not? Trust
  • Perth Theatre and Concert Hall
  • Strathearn Arts 
  • Charity of the Year – Turnover under £500k
  • Dates-n-Mates
  • Equi-Power Central Scotland RDA
  • Fischy Music
  • Playlist for Life

Charity of the Year – Turnover over £500k

  • Edinburgh Women’s Aid
  • Fife Young Carers
  • Simba
  • St Vincent’s Hospice

Wee Eilish’s campaign is in the running for National Award

A disabled girl’s campaign that secured £2 million of funding to improve support for disabled kids in Scotland has been nominated for a national award. 

Eilish Cowan (5) and her dad Lawrence (39) from Dunfermline launched the Our Kids Won’t Wait Campaign alongside Edinburgh disabled children’s charity The Yard in September 2023, with a call for the Scottish Government to reverse a 76% real terms cut to the amount of funding the charity received per family supported.    

They successfully convinced politicians, including the then First Minister, Humza Yousaf, to back the move and invest further in growing The Yard’s reach. The investment means in particular that the charity can improve its service in Tayside and open up a new centre in the West of Scotland. 

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Charity Awards are the charity’s version of the Oscars. Eilish, who has a rare genetic condition affecting her TUBA1A gene, struggles to walk and has a learning disability, is nominated in the Campaign of the Year category.

The family are calling for people to get behind the campaign and vote for them to win at https://scvo.scot/scottish-charity-awards . 

Eilish’s dad Lawrence Cowan, said, “We’re so proud of our wee girl. We hope that this nomination is something she can look back on and feel proud about. 

“Eilish’s genetic condition means she struggles with things we all take for granted like walking or talking and she has a learning disability. But just like any other wee girl she deserves love and a place to feel like she belongs.

“The Yard provides a place for disabled children like Eilish to have fun, make friends and be proud of who they are. We need to expand the great work of The Yard right across Scotland so we were delighted when the First Minister visited and announced the extra funding. 

“To be able to say that Eilish contributed to growing the Yard’s work and opening up more opportunities for disabled children to be celebrated makes my wife and I so emotional and proud. 

“But to win we need your votes! So please get behind Eilish’s campaign.” 

Eilish added, “I’m proud. I love The Yard. Vote for me!” 

Celine Sinclair, CEO of The Yard said, “Thanks to this campaign we are now in a position to grow the work of the Yard.

“The funding from the Scottish Government will mean that we can make real improvements to our service in Tayside and open a new service in the West of Scotland. A huge thank you to Lawrence, Eilish and all of our families who rallied behind the campaign. It makes a huge difference.” 

The Yard works with children and young people with additional support needs through adventure play sessions in Dundee, Edinburgh and Kirkcaldy. 

The service offers creative and inclusive play experiences in a well-supported environment, alongside wraparound support for the whole family, with a varied programme of drop-in, respite and transition youth clubs, early years, specialist sessions with schools, family play sessions, plus inclusive play and disability training.

Scottish Charity Awards 2024 Finalists Announced

Vote for your favourite finalist in the People’s Choice Award!

Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector.

This year’s shortlist includes 39 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country.

While a judging panel will determine the winners under ten distinct categories, members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award – by visiting scvo.scot/vote – before 5pm on Friday 24 May 2024.

Winners will be announced on 20 June 2024 in a celebratory awards ceremony hosted by broadcaster Sally Magnusson at the Raddison Blu in Glasgow.

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive, SCVO said: “We’re very excited to bring you the 2024 Scottish Charity Awards. It’s been another record-breaking year with nearly 500 entries, so arriving at the 39 finalists has been really difficult.

“The finalists demonstrate just how essential the voluntary sector is to Scottish society, with dedicated organisations and individuals going above and beyond to make a positive and often life-changing impact in their communities.

“The public has the chance to celebrate each of our finalists through the People’s Choice vote which is now open, so don’t miss your opportunity to get involved and get behind your favourite by voting! I’d like to wish all our finalists the very best of luck and look forward to shining a light on their essential contributions at our awards ceremony in June.”

AND THE SHORTLIST IS:

Campaign of the year

  • The Yard – Our Kids Won’t Wait
  • Aberlour Children’s Charity – Cancelling School Meal Debt
  • Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre – Never Allowed
  • Diabetes Scotland – Diabetes Tech Can’t Wait

Volunteer of the year

  • Mary Osei-Oppong – African and Caribbean Elders in Scotland
  • Mary Hepburn – Fife Rape and Sexual Assault Centre
  • Lauren Boag – Scottish Huntington’s Association
  • David Corstorphine – RNLI

Partnership of the Year

  • SOHTIS (Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland) and Simon Community Scotland
  • Edinburgh Tool Library and LGBT Health and Wellbeing
  • Larkhall & District Volunteer Group and Heart of Africa
  • Special Olympics Grampian Area, Special Olympics GB and Inclusive Skating

Employee of the Year

  • Vicki McGrain Rae – Asthma and Allergy Foundation
  • Amanda Fleet – Highlands and Islands Students’ Association
  • Janice Lee – Ardgowan Hospice
  • Kevin Radzynski – Grassmarket Community Project

Community Impact

  • Feeling Strong
  • National Ugly Mugs (NUM)
  • Fersands and Fountain SCIO
  • Creatovators CIC

Climate Impact

  • The Volunteer Tutors Organisation
  • Forth Rivers Trust
  • R:evolve Recycle

Trustee of the Year

  • Ken Brown – Bridge Community Project
  • Michael Craig – Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans
  • Jen Hardy – Cancer Card
  • Michelle Robertson – Fallin Community Voice

Digital Difference

  • Lead Scotland
  • The Why Not? Trust
  • Perth Theatre and Concert Hall
  • Strathearn Arts

Charity of the Year – turnover under £500k

  • Dates-n-Mates
  • Equi-Power Central Scotland RDA
  • Fischy Music
  • Playlist for Life

Charity of the Year – turnover over £500k

  • Edinburgh Women’s Aid
  • Fife Young Carers
  • Simba
  • St Vincent’s Hospice

The public can vote for their favourite finalist to win the People’s Choice Award by casting their vote on the SCVO website: scvo.scot/vote

Applications open for Scottish Charity Awards 2024 

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is calling for voluntary organisations and individuals across the country to apply for its annual Scottish Charity Awards.  

Now in its 18th year, the Scottish Charity Awards are designed to celebrate the best of the voluntary sector, and to highlight the incredible organisations, inspiring people and innovative projects that have made an immeasurable difference to the communities they support over the past year.  

Applications are now being accepted for 2024, with SCVO placing particular importance on hearing from voluntary organisations and individuals that reflect the diversity of this essential sector.  

All registered charities, social enterprises, campaigning groups, community interest companies and people who work/volunteer in these spaces are eligible to enter. 

This year SCVO has also tried to make the awards simpler and more accessible to as many people and organisations as possible, with a number of improvements to the application and judging process – including the introduction of a new Small Charity of the Year award in recognition of charities with turnover of £500k and below.  

The award categories are Charity of the Year, Small Charity of the Year Trustee of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Employee of the Year, Partnership of the Year, Campaign of the Year, Community Impact, Climate Impact, and Digital Difference; with the winners to be decided by a panel of judges.  

All finalists will also be entered into the running for the People’s Choice Award, giving members of the public a chance to vote for their favourite finalist to win.

SCVO received an overwhelming response last year with hundreds of applications and over 14,000 votes cast for the People’s Choice Award, and hopes that even more organisations will be inspired to apply this year.   

This year, SCVO will be bringing its celebratory awards ceremony, hosted by Sally Magnusson, to Glasgow on 20 June.   

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), said: “In these stormy times, it’s great to have something to look forward to. The Scottish Charity Awards always light up our calendars and remind us of the invaluable, inspiring work voluntary organisations across the country are doing every day.  

“Being shortlisted for an award spotlights your story and celebrates the massive contribution of people and organisations to our communities and our country.  

“Every year I’m blown away by the diversity, dedication, expertise and passion that runs through every part of our sector and I’m sure 2024 will be no different – maybe even better! Prove me right and enter or nominate for this year’s awards.” 

Applications are open until 12pm on Friday 15 March 2023 and can be completed on the SCVO website: scvo.scot/scottish-charity-awards/apply.  

Nicole Scottsville, co-founder and chair of 2023 Charity of the Year Diversified, added: “Since winning Charity of the Year at the Scottish Charity Awards 2023, our organisation has gone from strength to strength and it has brought national recognition to the work we do.  

“As a small and young charity, we never expected to win Charity of the Year, and were absolutely thrilled that we did! Winning such a prestigious award has helped us demonstrate to our wider community that we are passionate about what we do and that we provide exceptional services to our autistic youth community.”