##### SCVO media release 2 May 2016

Charities and volunteers right across Scotland have been named as finalists in the Scottish Charity Awards. Organised by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Awards, which are free to enter, celebrate the life-changing work of charities, community groups and individuals dedicated to making Scotland a better place to live. Martin Sime, Chief Executive, SCVO, said: “Year after year Scottish charities and voluntary organisations prove themselves to be beacons for creativity, tenacity and innovation. This year’s Scottish Charity Awards finalists demonstrate these qualities in abundance and are shining examples of how people can work together to make Scotland a better and fairer place.” All shortlisted entries will also compete for the [People’s Choice Award which will be decided by the public via online voting.](http://www.scvo.scot/charity-awards/?group=ac) The full shortlist includes: **Charity of the year**

*   Saheliya
*   The Prince’s Trust Scotland
*   Scottish Refugee Council
*   Glasgow Bike Station

**Celebrating communities**

*   Shazam Theatre Company
*   The Southside Association
*   Woodlands Community Development Trust
*   Friends of Oban Community Playpark
*   South Seeds

**Charity champion**

*   Sarah Winckless - Scottish Huntington’s Association
*   Jeremy Roebuck - Grow Movement
*   Gordon Aikman - MND Scotland
*   Lucy Lintott MND - Scotland
*   Petra McMillan - Marie Curie

**Exceptional employee**

*   Chris Martin - Callander Youth Project Trust
*   Steven Sweeney - Aberdeen FC Community Trust
*   Claire Gillies - Penicuik YMCA-YWCA
*   Dorothy Buchanan - Citizens Advice Scotland

**Cracking campaign**

*   R:evolve Recycle - Lightburn Elderly Association Project (LEAP)
*   The Power of ‘Are you Okay?’ - See Me
*   Disabled Access Day - Euan’s Guide
*   Stop the Bus - ENABLE Scotland
*   Make Renting Right - Shelter Scotland

**Perfect partnership**

*   Aberdeen FC Community Trust and Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership
*   Social Investment Scotland and Asda
*   The National Autistic Society and Harper Macleod LLP
*   Tullochan and West Dunbartonshire Council Education Services
*   Health & Social Care Alliance (Scotland) and GPs at the Deep End
*   Macmillan Cancer Support and Glasgow Life

**Digital dynamo**

*   John Wheatley Learning Network
*   The Libertie Project Limited
*   Silver City Surfers
*   Euan’s Guide
*   Quarriers (Go4IT Project)

Notes to editors:

1.  The Scottish Charity Awards are open to any voluntary organisation, charity, community group or individual charity volunteer or staff member. More information is available at the [Scottish Charity Award](http://www.scvo.scot/scottish-charity-awards/)s website

2.  Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh on Thursday 9 June
3.  For more general information, please contact Charlotte McNeill, Press Officer at SCVO, on 07790 601 995. For more detailed queries, please approach the finalists directly

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## About SCVO

SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector.

Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact.

SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector.

Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners.

Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored, learning opportunities.

SCVO members enjoy free access to Funding Scotland Premium to stay on top of funding opportunities to support their organisation’s financial resilience.

Discounts and savings savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org).

For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)