Scottish Charity Awards winners - 2022

We announced the winners of the Scottish Charity Awards 2022 at a glittering awards ceremony, hosted by Sally Magnusson at Glasgow's Crowne Plaza hotel on 15 June.

Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrates the best of the voluntary sector and this year’s shortlist included 44 individuals and organisations from charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the country.

Huge congratulations to all our winners and finalists. Read all about our winners:

Campaign of the Year- "Hare to stay" Leuchie House

Leuchie House provides respite to people living with neurological conditions like MS, MND and the effects of stroke. The Big Hare Trail marked Leuchie House’s 10th Anniversary, aiming to shout from the rooftops that Leuchie is “hare to stay”. Leuchie worked in partnership with Wild in Art to deliver this spectacular free public art event for the community that featured ten six-foot-tall, individually and locally designed, hare sculptures. The campaign overcame pandemic fundraising challenges in a fun and engaging way, raising more than £193,000.

Lana Banbridge, head of fundraising and communications, Leuchie House said: “We are overjoyed that The Big Hare Trail has been chosen as the Campaign of the Year in the 2022 Scottish Charity Awards. The trail brought colour, excitement and enthusiasm to North Berwick in the summer of 2021, and visitors from far and wide bought into the fun. They also got right behind Leuchie House and work we do at the respite centre to provide respite to people living with neurological conditions, as well as those who care for them. This wave of support, along with the talent and backing of the artists and sponsors, was a game-changer for us, raising more than £190,000, at a time that the charity faced the effects and challenges of the pandemic, and we dedicate this award to them all. Thank you!”

Volunteer of the Year- Nan Fotheringham, Coatbridge Citizens Advice Bureau

For the past 20 years, Nan Fotheringham has dedicated two days a week to supporting her community within her local CAB – even through the pandemic. Age is no barrier for Nan who, at 80 years old, continues to be a much-loved, valued and appreciated advisor to both her clients and team. Everyone at the Coatbridge CAB is delighted that she is being recognised for the fantastic work she does.

Nan said: “I’m delighted to accept this fantastic award and obviously surprised given the high calibre of finalists representing charities across Scotland. I accept it on behalf of my fellow volunteers in Coatbridge CAB and the CABx network. I love my volunteering role as it gives me as much satisfaction as I hope I give the clients that I support. Everyone knows Citizens Advice and thankfully use us when they need us and I hope that this recognition benefits the network as well as Coatbridge CAB. Thank you for this fantastic experience and honour.”

Community Action- FeldyRoo

FeldyRoo was set up at the beginning of the pandemic to provide daily hot meals, free newspapers and a friendly chat for isolating residents in Highland Perthshire during both lockdowns. A team of 140 volunteers and ten hospitality businesses delivered over 50,000 meals, raising over £200,000 to continue its vital work. FeldyRoo created a fantastic social experience for both volunteers and residents, and the community spirit that emerged during the project has had a lasting effect on the community. 

Gavin Price, FeldyRoo volunteer, said: "FeldyRoo were delighted to even be nominated for this award, to win it is an incredible achievement for such a small town. It is reward for the huge numbers of volunteers who came together at the most critical of time to help our community."

Employee of the Year- Clare Wadsworth, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs

Claire Wadsworth from Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs leads Routes, a programme that works with young people affected by a loved one’s alcohol and drug use, in East and West Dunbartonshire. She works tirelessly to make their lives better, focusing on their needs and advocating on their behalf. Thanks to Claire young people are flourishing and achieving things they never would have believed they could. 

Claire who is a senior development officer - young people at Scottish Families Affected By Alcohol and Drugs said: "I would like to say how delighted I am to win this prestigious award, especially considering the other amazing nominees in this category. Routes is only possible thanks to the hard work of our entire team and our many supporters and partners. It truly is a team effort and I am happy to accept this award on behalf of us all.”

Climate Conscious- Sustainable Thinking Scotland

Sustainable Thinking Scotland is a social enterprise created and designed to address a wide range of social and environmental issues. With its green waste recycling project, this organisation is aiming to create a circular economy around biochar - stable carbon obtained from “baking” biomass. This is produced from local wood waste, providing significant carbon savings, with the finished biochar product being used to tackle several agricultural, ecological, and environmental issues.

Sean Kerr, Director at Sustainable Thinking Scotland, said: “We are thrilled to receive the Climate Conscious Award as it echoes the ethos here at Sustainable Thinking Scotland. We hope it will raise the awareness of biochar and the range of social and environmental benefits it can bring. We’d like to say a big thank you to our academic partners, our funders, and to all our dedicated staff and volunteers who make our work possible.”

Pioneering Project- Simon Community Scotland, The Access Hub

The Access Hub from Simon Community Scotland is a uniquely formed space that has reshaped services for people at risk of, or who are experiencing, homelessness in Glasgow. Psychologically informed, the design of the Access Hub offers a safe, engaging, and welcoming venue for people to connect with over 40 different services in one single space – helping to find solutions quickly for those in need. Working with over 80 people presenting every day, the Access Hub has been a game changer in homelessness support and instrumental in achieving single figure rough sleeping numbers in the city.

Lorraine McGrath, Simon Community Scotland chief executive said: “The Access Hub was designed to be a gamechanger in Glasgow for people experiencing homelessness and we achieved that. The space itself is carefully designed but what makes it amazing is the compassion, the commitment, tenacity and creativity of our staff, volunteers and all the amazing partners who occupy the space and change lives every day. We are delighted to receive this award on behalf of everyone who made the Access Hub happen and who make it a living breathing thing today.”

Trustee of the Year- Ian Monteague, FARE Scotland

Ian Monteague, FARE’s chairperson, has been involved with the organisation for 32 years, helping the organisation grow from a community meeting in 1989 to a team of 74 employed staff. FARE Scotland provides services throughout Glasgow and connects local authorities working with some of the most disadvantaged communities. Ian has time for everyone – his commitment and determination has helped lead the trustees at a strategic level and provided invaluable support to operational staff on the ground. 

Ian said: “It is with absolute humility and delight that I accept this Scottish Charity Award 2022. The Award bolsters our strong belief in being rooted in our values, ethos, and community.”

Digital Citizen- Leuchie House

Leuchie House is Scotland's National Respite Centre for people living with neurological conditions. The organisation is proud to have established a new Centre for Enabling Technology, empowering people affected by conditions such as MS, MND and Parkinson's to enjoy greater independence - both at Leuchie, and when they return home. Leuchie House have installed SMART technology in all of their bedrooms, embarked on an exciting partnership with the National Robotarium, and saved the NHS thousands through a digital pressure sore mapping system.

Elizabeth McDowell, Head of Enabling Technology at Leuchie House said “We are honoured and thrilled to have won the Digital Citizen prize in this year’s Scottish Charity Awards, especially when there is so much great work going on in this field around the country. Leuchie House recognises the importance of embracing technology and harnessing digital tools to improve people’s lives and offer them greater independence, both during their stay here and when they return home. This award is testament to the hard work of our staff, the enthusiasm of the people we support, and the partner organisations that we collaborate with to put digital at the forefront of our ambition to do more for more people, and provide respite for people affected by neurological conditions and their families.” 

People's Choice- The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

Covid-19 forced the closure of Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park for several months, which removed almost all of the charity’s income. But in 2021, thanks to their "Save our Zoos" campaign, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s family grew as people showed their love of animals and support. The wildlife conservation charity continued to engage millions of people throughout the pandemic through an online education programme and by re-opening Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park, with visitors overjoyed to experience nature again. The Royal Zoological Society also continued their incredible conservation work in Scotland and around the world, helping to protect wildlife.

Ben Supple, director of engagement and business development at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland said: “I would like to thank everyone who voted for our charity and helped us win this prestigious award. We have been overwhelmed by the public support we have received during the pandemic and would like to dedicate this award to everyone who holds nature dear to their heart.”

Charity of the Year- S.M.I.L.E Counselling

S.M.I.L.E Counselling is at the heart of their community, offering a free counselling service for 11 to 24-year olds. They support the young people who come through their doors during times of challenge with a people-led, listening approach to supporting mental wellbeing. After a year of huge change and growth, S.M.I.L.E Counselling continues to offer new projects to support further awareness around mental health and wellbeing, has developed a new training division and will soon have delivered bespoke one-to-one counselling to 1,000 clients. 

Declan Harrigan, Founder/CEO, S.M.I.L.E Counselling said “We would like to say how delighted we are to win this prestigious award. Being named the Charity of the Year could only been possible thanks to all the people who support us, the dedication and hard work of all our staff and volunteers and to positive and supportive partnerships and funders.”

SCVO chief executive, Anna Fowlie said "At SCVO we know that every day, voluntary organisations across the country are working tirelessly to support the people and communities they help, and are making an incredible impact. We are thrilled to have been able to join together in person to celebrate the achievements of our finalists and winners, after hosting the previous two years’ ceremonies online due to the pandemic. This year’s finalists have all demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and commitment to their communities and it is a privilege to be able to celebrate their successes. Thanks to our sponsors, the team at the Crowne Plaza, our host Sally Magnusson and everyone who made the 2022 Scottish Charity Awards so wonderful. Congratulations to all winners!”