2011
'The Value of Volunteering'

The ‘Value of Volunteering’ was on show in spectacular style at the Rothes Halls in Glenrothes on Wednesday 23 rd November when Fife’s voluntary sector celebrated the wonderful achievements of volunteers and voluntary organisations over the past year.

The Awards and Trophies

The Awards Evening, organised jointly by Volunteer Centre Fife and VONEF (Voluntary Organisations North East Fife), got off to a flying start with an entertaining and inspiring talk from Richard Jobson, former member of the Skids punk rock band and now a film director. He spoke of his experience of running film classes with marginalised children through Edinburgh charity ‘Circle’ to encourage them to have the same hopes and dreams he had as a child, in spite of a difficult start in life.

Richard Jobson

A film made by media students from Adam Smith College demonstrated the ‘Value of Volunteering’ through the work of three very different organisations in Fife – Tools with a Mission (collects and refurbishes tools which are then shipped to Uganda), Strike-A-Chord ( helps young people to express themselves using music, aided by professional musicians) and Castle Furniture Project (provides the opportunity for individuals with enduring mental illness to regain confidence and skills, through activities including repairing, refurbishing and recycling furniture).

Below is a summary of this year’s winners:

The first of the awards for organisations was the Inspirational Organisation Award which was won by homelessness charity SmartLiving/LinkLiving for its peer education service for young people,whilst the Most Enterprising Organisation Award went to Leven-based Mybus for developing its range of activities to include trips, luncheon clubs and gardening projects.

The New Organisation/Organisation Growth Award went to the PDSA charity Shop in Kirkcaldy with 30 volunteers already on its books since opening in June this year. Cupar-based Castle Furniture Project won the Social Inclusion category for its range of therapeutic work placements and volunteering opportunities whilst the

Open Category award went to Sycamore Families Befriending Scheme whose volunteers support children who may have come from difficult backgrounds. Finally, an award to mark 2011 as European Year of Volunteering was won by Fife Migrants Forum which helps those in the migrant communities to fully integrate with their local community in Fife.

In the Volunteer Awards category the Young/Student Volunteer title went toDean Allan from Kirkcaldy for his commitment to volunteering as a Peer Educator with SmartLiving, whilst the Volunteer Team award was won by the Harbour Café in Tayport, whose volunteers, including some with learning difficulties and disabilities, have gained skills and grown in confidence.

Acknowledging the contribution of not-so-young volunteers is the Mary King Memorial Trophy for the Mature Volunteer of the Year, presented to Robert Young for his dedication over the past 25 years to the Abbeyview Day Centre for the elderly. Holding the position of chairperson for the past 8 years, he is also involved in driving the minibus and helping with gardening.

Ann and David Manzie won the Moving On/Give Something Back award for their unstinting dedication to the MS Society in Glenrothes, in spite of serious health issues and caring responsibilities.

In recognition of the invaluable contribution of trustees and committee members - the stalwarts of many organisations - the Trustee Award and the Rose Ritchie Memorial Trophy– went to Arthur Robertson, Chairperson of East Fife Ladies Football Club. And last, but by no means least, the award in the Volunteer Open Category was presented to Bob Taylor, chair of the Buckhaven organisations Kinetic and CLEAR, who spends many of his hours of retirement helping disadvantaged young people.

WINNERS GALLERY

Inspirational Organisation	Enterprising Organisation	New Organisation	Social Inclusion
EYOTV Organisation	Open Category Organisation	Young Volunteer	Volunteering Team Award
Mature Volunteer	GSB Moving On	Trustee Award	Open Category Volunteer

ADDITIONAL AWARDS ON THE NIGHT

Volunteer Friendly Awards - presented for the first time this year - went to Furniture Plus, Dunfermline Samaritans, Rathbone Training, Circles Network, Trust in Fife and Victoria Hospice to mark their commitment to best practice in volunteer management. Click picture for full sized image

The contribution of young volunteers was recognised through the presentation of MV Award certificates to 6 young people who have each clocked up 50 hours of volunteering. Christopher Douse, Euan Whyte, Stephanie Duncan and Cailean Watters recieved thier Millenium Volunteer Certificates. pictures with Richard Jobson (right) Click picture for full sized image

And finally, here is a picture off the people who organsised the event; the Staff of VC Fife and VONEF pictured with Richard Jobson 1st Row: Sarah Latto, Jacquie Mellon, Ron Nugent, Carol Burns, Tom Scott, Stephen Adamson, Tony Scott (MC) Richard Jobson (guest speaker) ~0~ Middle Row: Helen Rorrison (VONEF), Olwen Dean (VCF Board), Linda Butcher, Linda Turnbull ~0~ Bottom Row: Innes Bracegirdle, Nicci McDougall, Biff McMahon

It was a fantastic evening and feedback from the night indicates that it was enjoyed by all!