Media Release: Quarriers recognises superstar volunteers at annual awards

QUARRIERS, one of Scotland’s largest social care charities, hosted its annual Quarriers Volunteer Awards this week at Paisley Town Hall – recognising the many volunteers that support the charity’s services across the country.

The awards celebrate the unsung heroes of the charity and recognise those who go above and beyond for the people they support.

This year’s awards are particularly timely as they fell just after National Volunteer Week, which celebrates the contribution made by millions of volunteers across the UK.

All Quarriers services and departments submitted their nominations across six categories which included ‘Best Young Volunteer up to 25 years old’, ‘Long Serving Volunteers’ and ‘My Hero Volunteer’, among others.

Following a raft of nominations, the judges had the unenviable task of selecting winners from the hundreds of worthy nominees.

Speaking of the awards, Alice Drife, chief executive at Quarriers said: “We’re extremely grateful to each and every volunteer and value the fantastic contribution they make to the lives of the people we support.

“Our awards give us a chance to shine a light on the volunteers who play a vital role in our services. Their hard work is imperative to the success of the charity and they help us continuously deliver the highest quality of care and support to those who need it most.”

University of the West of Scotland sponsored the awards, which proved to be a hugely successful evening.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Gordon Hunt, head of External Engagement at UWS, said: “Quarriers provides practical care and support for thousands of vulnerable children, adults and families who face extremely challenging circumstances and we were delighted to support their annual Volunteer Awards.

“UWS values and encourages volunteering by our staff and students and volunteers play a key role in the work of Quarriers. These awards recognise their important contribution to making a real difference to thousands of peoples’ lives.”

The full list of winners and categories can be found below:

My Hero Volunteer

In recognition of the difference the volunteer has made to people supported by Quarriers

• Robert Forsyth – overall winner
• Pat Gillen – Highly Commended
• Edmond Harris – Highly Commended

Corporate Volunteer Team of The Year

In recognition of their distinguished volunteering service to Quarriers services or departments.

• Lloyds – overall winner
• Axa Wealth – Highly Commended
• Barclays International – Highly Commended

Best Young Volunteer

Best Young Volunteer up to 25 years-old. In recognition of the contribution made by young volunteers to Quarriers

• Megan Brawley – overall winner
• Chelsea McPhee – Highly Commended
• Jill Clarke – Highly Commended

Best Volunteer Contribution

In recognition of the valuable volunteering contribution made to Quarriers services or departments

• Doug Wren – overall winner
• Susan Greenshields – Highly Commended
• Tasoulla Masson – Highly Commended

Long Serving Volunteers

In recognition of the contribution of all those who have volunteered for ten years or more with Quarriers

• Gavin Gallimore
• Phil Genoe

People we support Volunteer Award

In recognition of the contribution made by a person we support in their role as a volunteer to Quarriers or the wider community

• Archie Mackay – overall winner
• Andrew Creelman – Highly Commended
• Quarriers Disability Hate Crime Steering Group – Highly Commended

Notes to editors

• About Quarriers

Quarriers is one of Scotland’s largest social care charities, providing practical care and support for thousands of vulnerable children, adults and families who face extremely challenging circumstances.

The charity runs over 100 services across Scotland, and is expanding its work in England, with services in Bath, Swindon, Cheshire and South Shields.

Quarriers’ services support adults and children with disabilities, young people facing homelessness, families facing poverty, unpaid carers and people affected by epilepsy.

For more information, visit www.quarriers.org.uk

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