Volunteer Awards Ceremony

Description

We are looking for a commitment to co–sponsor the Midlothian Volunteer Awards event that takes place once a year as part of a national campaign. The Awards recognise and celebrate local volunteers aged 12+ and have been run for 18 years. Our dedicated sponsors are SQA, Health and Social Care Partnership, Esk Valley Rotary Club, Midlothian Council, EDF - Energy and Fire and Rescue Service. Our Patrons are the Midlothian Provost and the Lord Lieutenant for Midlothian, and our media supporter is Radio Forth. Newbattle Abbey College gifts us with the venue for this special event, and SQA prints programs.

We receive annual sponsorship from the above listed stakeholders, it ranges from £400 upwards depending on the scale of the organisation. As part of the event’s preparation, we support a student placement from Napier University. The event costs are £2.5 - 3k. We will be grateful for a sponsorship of any value really, however, we are aiming for higher value, certainty, long term mutual commitment and branding - 'Making your own’. This would mean your company advertising, and from our side – a delivery of a high-quality event alongside reputable partners and positive publicity. As a co- sponsor you will be in a good company.

In Midlothian formal volunteering in 2018 provided 3.1 million hours of free work that contributed £46.5 million to local economy. This cannot be taken for granted.

 

The next ceremony is due on the 5th of June 2025, but we would like to have the confirmation of co-sponsorship by the end of December 2024 to enable sound budget planning.

We have range of different Award Categories that are actively seeking a sponsor:

1. Outstanding New Volunteer – currently Sponsored by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

This award category is for people who have made an outstanding contribution through volunteering in less than 12 months. It aims to recognise the significant difference that volunteers can make to an organisation in a short period of time. It is open to all types of volunteer role.  

• 2. Befriender/Mentor of the Year – awaiting sponsor

This award acknowledges volunteers who have demonstrated a high level of commitment towards improving the lives of others through a befriending or mentoring relationship. 

3. Climate Change - Sponsored by: EDF - Energy
For volunteers who have taken on an active role in tackling climate change and protection of the natural world. Activities might include; volunteering in the areas of protecting the environment and nature, sustainable practices, renewable energy/ saving energy, active travel, waste reduction and food growing and production.

4. Service to the Community -Sponsored by: Midlothian Council

This category is for volunteers who give their time and input to provide valuable services in their community. Without these volunteers, organisations might not be able to sustain the work they do on behalf of others. Examples could include helping in a community café or lunch club, being a volunteer driver, being on the school parent council, working in a food bank, or taking on a role as a Trustee or Board member of a local charity.  

5. Health & Wellbeing and Active Volunteering - Sponsored by Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership

This award celebrates volunteers who care about health and wellbeing in our communities. Activities could involve assisting vulnerable people with health conditions to access services, provision of peer support, or campaigning to improve awareness around physical and mental health. This award also recognises the value of physical activity towards improvement of overall health and wellbeing through sport and outdoor activities.

6. Dedicated Service - Sponsored by: Esk Valley Rotary Club 

This category is for people who have dedicated their time to a cause or organisation for an extended period of 18+ months, however it could be significantly longer. This would include people who have managed to ‘stick at it’ and adapt to changes in their role because of the pandemic. Do you know any volunteers with remarkable resilience who deserve recognition for their long service to good causes in their community? 

7. Equality and Diversity Sponsored by: Scottish Qualifications Authority

This new award category celebrates equality and diversity, shining a spotlight on volunteers that have worked with people who carry protected characteristics under the 2010 Equalities Act, for example: age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. This category also includes anti-poverty work and volunteering to address socio-economic disadvantage. We want to see nominations for volunteers whose actions have demonstrated fairness and a commitment to social justice, equality, inclusion. It is also an invitation to recognize volunteers who had to overcome additional challenges in their volunteering journeys. 

• 8. Saltire Summit Awards - judged by young people – awaiting sponsor  

The Saltire Awards are a national youth volunteering awards scheme, endorsed by the Scottish Government, which began in April 2012. The awards recognise the contribution of young volunteers aged 12-25 years old. As part of the scheme, young people work their way through the various stages of the awards based on the number of hours of volunteering they have done. The Summit is the highest level of award a young person can gain. A maximum of 12 Summit Awards are presented each year to young people who have made an outstanding contribution to volunteering in Midlothian.

• 9. Team of the Year Award – awaiting sponsor

Judged by Lord Lieutenant (and Vice) of Midlothian from the pool of Team non-winners.

• 10. Vol of the Year Award – awaiting sponsor

Judged by Volunteer Midlothian Board Members - from the pool of Individual non-winners.

• 11. Volunteer Leader – judged by the TBC and awaiting sponsor

This category is being reintroduced in 2025 to recognise the enormous efforts of team leads, project coordinators and managers who ensure continuity of business and delivery of services to local communities and vulnerable groups. This award is a small thank you for being innovative, persuasive, brave and visionary; for leading and inspiring people whose motivation is not a salary but sense of purpose and kindness.