• Covid-19

    • Category: Outstanding New Volunteer Award

    Margaret Dowling

    Miriam Leighton on 10 May, 2022

    Nominated by: Rosewell Development Trust

    Margaret Dowling started volunteering with Rosewell Development Trust at The Steading in August 2021. She is the first point of contact for anyone visiting or calling the Steading, so it’s important that people are made to feel welcome or are directed to the right place. Many visitors to the hub have felt isolated or vulnerable through the pandemic, but Margaret’s friendly way with people ensures that everyone feels safe and welcome. She is a reliable and very committed new volunteer who consistently takes on fresh challenges to increase her confidence and skills.

    Heather Mortimore

    Miriam Leighton on 21 May, 2021

    Nominated by: Food Facts Friends

    Heather joined the Food Facts Friends food bank at a critical time in late March 2020, when many existing volunteers had resigned to go into shielding. She was initially made responsible for organising the tinned goods. She took on a variety of different roles for FFF, helping the organisation to adapt to an incredible seven-fold increase in demand for its services over the course of just a few weeks. Her support as a volunteer has been integral to the successful running of Food Facts Friends throughout the pandemic.

    Andrew Love

    Miriam Leighton on 19 May, 2021

    Nominated by: CAPS Collective Advocacy

    Andrew volunteers with CAPS Collective Advocacy, using his own lived experience of mental health issues to teach others about why mental health is such an important topic. He shares his experience to broaden understandings of what it is like to live with a mental health condition and works tirelessly to campaign against stigma. What’s more, he has been involved in shaping the redesign and delivery of mental health services at both a local and national level. Andrew is an amazing person who also gives his time to the Thistle Foundation as a peer volunteer, organising and facilitating online wellbeing sessions.

    Beth Fyfe Falconer

    Miriam Leighton on 19 May, 2021

    Nominated by: Volunteer Midlothian – Transform

    Connect Online provides digital support to older people, helping them navigate technology, maintain independence, keep in touch and feel part of things. Transform is a project for young volunteers with the aim of increasing their confidence and enhancing their employability prospects. During lockdown, Volunteer Midlothian brought these two projects together to achieve a more intergenerational focus. Soon afterwards Beth came forward as a digital champion. She attends groups every week to share her research and give guidance to the Connect Online project about new and emerging technologies. Beth has proven herself to be an outstanding and very committed young volunteer over the past 12 months.

    Katrina Drennan

    Miriam Leighton on 19 May, 2021

    Nominated by: Penicuik Ambassadors

    Katrina is one of the volunteers who got involved with the Penicuik Ambassadors at the beginning of the pandemic as a shopper, befriender and prescription collector. She also co-leads for Penicuik Community Mask Makers, who make and deliver free fabric masks, and has supported the Penicuik Community Events Team in distributing Santa letters to local children. She’s had an amazing impact over the past 12 months and has proven herself to be a highly valued member of the local community in Penicuik.

    Kathryn Gordon

    Miriam Leighton on 19 May, 2021

    Nominated by: Home Link Family Support

    Kate is one of Home Link Family Support’s (HLFS) team of volunteer befrienders. She is currently supporting an HLFS client to improve their spoken English skills via weekly bespoke Zoom lessons. Kate’s careful preparation and partnership with the client have been outstanding, leading to improved confidence and employability for the person concerned.