Chance to nominate a young volunteer

Nominations for the fifth annual Shetland Youth Volunteering Awards open on Sunday – giving people the chance to recognise those young folk who help make a difference.

There will be three awards this year – An individual volunteer from secondary 1 age to aged 25; an organisation which has supported young volunteers of any age up to 25; and one for a team of volunteers between the ages of S1 and 25.

The Rotary Club of Shetland will provide a £500 prize to the winning volunteer, £250 to the volunteer and £250 to the organisation or organisations which supports them.

Voluntary Action Shetland will provide £500 to the winning supporting organisation and BP Sullom Voe will award £500 to the winning group of volunteers.

Each winner will also receive a plaque.

Nominations can be made online at www.va-Shetland.org.uk, or by contacting the VAS volunteering team on 01595 743900, or by email at [email protected] or [email protected]. Details are also available at www.rotaryclubofshetland.org.uk.

Last year’s individual winner was Patricia Doyle – one of the founding members of the Shetland Team of Young People and the Police, which was also the 2013 “One Team” Group of volunteers winner. The supporting organisation winner was the Shetland Befriending scheme.

Youth volunteering development worker, Mr Pearson, said:  “I am delighted to be able to announce the launch of the fifth annual Shetland Youth Volunteer Awards, we are trying very hard this year to reach every corner of our community because we know that local young people do so much for Shetland and we believe that they deserve recognition for their efforts.

“If your group, school or organisation works with young volunteers there really is no better way to say thank you than by nominating them for these awards but please don’t wait until the last minute. Nominate now.”

Nominations will close on 1st September. The launch of the nomination period coincides with national Volunteers’ Week, an annual event which celebrates the important role made by those who freely give time to help others.

To read more about the awards, click here.