As part of our Volunteer’s Week 2022 celebrations, we held The Inspiring Volunteering Awards ceremony at the Fraser Centre on 2nd June. It was attended by around 100 people, with a light supper for all the guest’s, finalists and their nominators. The Inspiring Volunteering Awards ceremony was filled with appreciation and admiration for East Lothian’s volunteers. On this page you will find information on winners, finalists, a photo gallery and a thank you to everyone involved. Many congratulations to all our amazing winners this year, and to all our nominees – you’re simply the best, and you are ALL worthy of recognition!
The winners of the Inspiring Volunteering Awards 2022 awards are as follows:
Community Volunteer of the Year
Petty Officer Belle Milliken from The Musselburgh Sea Cadets
Petty Officer Belle Milliken is an outstanding lady, despite a long commute by public transport from Glasgow, Belle volunteers and gives all her time to the Musselburgh cadets. Belle lives for her cadet unit.
She has been an adult volunteer for 10 years, she is like a Mum, Aunt & Big Sister to all the Cadets. Right from the beginning Belle always goes out her way to get to know everything about the cadets & their families. She has a great bond with everyone and the passion she has to ensure the cadets are achieving all the training they are given is beyond a 100%. Not just for their time at the Cadets but for their future roles.
Environmental Volunteers of the Year
Tranent Wombles
Our volunteers come from the community and all walks of life. we also support groups like the Beavers and football clubs in their organised litter picks. We have volunteers that regularly help with us alongside their carers. We have loads of young Wombles that help with parents and grandparents. Since we started we have collected well over 2000 bags of litter. This represents a huge amount of volunteer hours! We have so far raised funds and installed an additional litter bin in an area where this was lacking.
Health & Wellbeing Volunteer of the Year
Lesley Walker from NHS Lothian
In early April 2020 Lesley began volunteering twice a week at East Lothian Community Hospital as a Ward Helper. Lesley has made a phenomenal contribution of nearly 1000 hours since she began supporting a ward with some of the hospitals most poorly patients, many of whom are at the end of their life.
Outstanding Trustee of the Year
Fiona Nicklin from Musselburgh Sea Cadets
After retiring, Fiona noticed an Advert for Musselburgh Sea Cadets seeking urgent help with Admin and Trustee duties to prevent closure. Fiona jumped straight back at supporting and joined the Unit Management Team as the Unit Admin Officer and Treasurer. Through the support and dedication of Fiona the young people of Musselburgh Sea Cadets have been able to thrive with their development in the cadets through her dedication to manage the funds within the Unit.
Volunteer Team of the Year
East Lothian Foodbank
Without our volunteers 8565 people across the county would not have been able to receive support from us over the past 12 months. They are the life blood of what we do, and the foodbank couldn’t help the people it does without them! We are so lucky to work with such an amazing, diverse group who give us an incredible amount of their valuable time.
Young Volunteer of the Year
Josh Nisbet from Our Community Kitchen
Josh joined us on a trial day in May 2021 and this gave him the opportunity to carry out the various tasks that are required and for him to decide if being involved is something he wanted to do. The role he carried out initially was placing water jugs on the table and speaking to people who joined us. Josh really enjoyed his trial day and he carried out the tasks very well indeed. Josh wasn’t very confident initially which was completely understandable given the restrictions and the impacts on his life. Josh really enjoyed being at OCK and carrying out the tasks.
Lifelong Commitment to Volunteering
Ann Smith from Changes Community Health Project
Ann has volunteered with our charity for 15 years now. She has provided key support in many areas of what we do. Initially, supporting our First Steps group with welcoming people, encouraging people to talk during group discussions, delivering some of the material and supporting the facilitator. During lockdown, this course had to be moved online and Ann stepped up to deliver these for us. This meant people across East Lothian could still dial in to access this essential support. A tool kit course, arming people with knowledge and tips on how to manage well-being in the short and longer term.
Award’s Gallery
The Finalists of 2022
Community Volunteer of the Year
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Avril Reid – Carers of East Lothian
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Petty Officer Belle Milliken – Musselburgh Sea Cadets
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Carl Inglis – East Lothian Foodbank
Environmental Volunteers of the Year
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Dunbar Against Litter
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Tranent Wombles
Health and Wellbeing Volunteer of the Year
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Janice McLeod – Musselburgh Area Partnership
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Kelly Thacker – Changes Community Health Project
Outstanding Trustee Volunteer of the Year
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Fiona Nicklin – Musselburgh Sea Cadets
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Jonny & Gillian Russell – The Fraser Centre
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Shirley Neill – East Lothian Play Association
Volunteer Team of the Year
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East Lothian Foodbank
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Musselburgh Sea Cadets
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NHS Lothian Vaccination Programme
Young Volunteer
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Hope Wilson – Can Do
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Josh Nisbet – Our Community Kitchen
Lifelong Commitment
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Ann Smith – Changes Community Health Project
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Jan Wilson – Haddington & District Community Council
