Finalists 2025
We are pleased to announce this year's Scottish Charity Awards finalists. The shortlist includes 42 inspirational individuals, projects and organisations from across Scotland’s voluntary sector. Our judging panel will determine the winners across our ten categories at the Scottish Charity Awards ceremony on 19 June.
Members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People's Choice Award sponsored by HSF Health Plan. Check out the finalists below and remember you only have one vote - so use it wisely before voting closes at 5pm on Tuesday 20 May.
All finalists
YMCA Tayside
Over the past year YMCA Tayside have positively engaged with over 600 individuals whilst developing a £7.2 million refurbishment of our premises, to ensure they are fit for purpose for generations to come. Young people were involved every step of the way, from concept to design...
Adaptive Riders Collective
Our aim is to make the outdoors a place which can be accessed by those would normally find getting out amongst nature challenging. We tackle various barriers to access and participation, such as the cost of equipment, the geographical barriers to participation and the social...
Colonsay Community Development Company - An Faire Mor Housing
Delivery of first phase affordable housing on Colonsay is the culmination of many years work by organisations on and off the island to address the challenges of housing for young people and families. As part of our work towards building a sustainable population we have provided...
Martin Flynn - EATS Rosyth
Martin has been a key player in overseeing a supported class from Inverkeithing High School, understanding the students individual strengths and weaknesses, and ensuring they are engaged in suitable, enjoyable activities. Martin also volunteers at a local Alzheimer's dancing...
Tweeddale Youth Action
Our application was submitted by a member of the public in response to TYA's Food Punks launching Project Pizza- a training academy and pizza shop on Peebles High Street for 16-25 year olds. Through Food Punks we offer young people an opportunity to learn skills, earn money and...
Julia Jackson - Urban Uprising
Julia Jackson has been a dedicated trustee of Urban Uprising for eight years, transforming the charity’s financial and operational systems. She implemented Sage 50, streamlined banking, developed our staff pay framework, and set up HR systems—freeing up staff to focus on...
Blue Triangle
For 50 years, Blue Triangle has been a lifeline for people facing homelessness. What started in 1975 as a small hostel in Glasgow has grown into 26 services across 10 local authorities, supporting over 400 people across Scotland every day. Blue Triangle provides those entering...
Transform Scotland - A Wee Walk Works Wonders
In March 2024, we ran a media campaign, "A Wee Walk Works Wonders”, to encourage adults to walk for short journeys instead of driving. The campaign ran in Renfrewshire, Moray and Aberdeenshire, using: online videos; radio ads; ads on the sides/backs of buses; six sheets; and A...
Touch of Love Outreach
Touch of Love is a grassroots charity in Aberdeen working at the heart of deprived and marginalised communities. In 2024, we impacted over 10,757 individuals through three core programs: Youth Empowerment- engaging 457 young people (ages 5–21) in culturally relevant activities...
Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland (RASASH)
This year marked a significant milestone for RASASH: 10 years of supporting survivors of sexual violence across the Highlands. As the region’s only dedicated service, we supported over 440 people, delivered 1,000+ hours of criminal justice advocacy, and reached 2,500 young people...
Sumi Bhandari - Fife Nepalese Community FNC
Our nominee is the heart of our charity’s mission—empowering women, preserving culture, and uplifting our Nepali community. Through her tireless volunteer work, she has championed the Nepali language, led skill-building programs, and encouraged countless women to pursue education...
Juliet Blackie - RNLI
Juliet Blackie began volunteering for the Mallaig RNLI shop in 2022, and took on the volunteer Shop Manager role in 2023. She got to grips with the role quickly and onboarded 8 new volunteers to support. In 2024 she and the team were able to open 6 days a week compared to just...
Interfaith Scotland
Interfaith Scotland breaks down barriers, challenges discrimination and builds understanding and respect between people of all faiths and beliefs in Scotland. This year we are celebrating 25 years of our work: * Engaging thousands of school pupils in interfaith dialogue...
Scottish Autism - Supporting Fathers of Autistic Children within HMP Barlinnie (Scottish Prison Service)
In recognition of support required amongst marginalised groups, Scottish Autism, in partnership with HMP Barlinnie, developed and delivered a support programme to fathers of autistic children. This explored autism, communication, sensory processing, stress, wellbeing, nurturing...
Pregnancy Counselling & Care (Scotland) and Gyle Shopping Centre
After devastating floods forced the closure of our Granton-based Baby Bank in January 2024, we urgently needed a new home. Thanks to the incredible generosity of Gyle Shopping Centre, we were offered the perfect rent-free vacant unit, and open again by mid-February. Gyle embraced...
Falkirk Foundation
Falkirk Foundation have had a fantastic year supporting the local Falkirk Community in a variety of different ways. We cater for activities for those aged 18 months all the way up to our oldest member who is 101. Falkirk Foundation uses the power of football to engage the local...
Eco Drama
This year, we reached more people than ever through a powerful blend of theatre and environmental action. Our Out to Play programme engaged over 700 pupils, while The Forgotten Orchard was performed 64 times, reaching nearly 3,200 people. We planted 157 fruit trees across...
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Music Education Partnership Group - We Make Music Instrument Libraries
We Make Music Instrument Libraries is a campaign to get musical instruments into public libraries so people can borrow them for free, just like a book. We gather donated instruments, service them to a good condition and give them to libraries. The idea started with Tinderbox...
Louise Anderson - New Start Highland
As Positive Activities Coordinator for New Start Highland, Louise creates pathways of hope for people in recovery. In the past year, she has connected 30 individuals with activities that help foster positive change, from employment and education to sobriety and stable housing...
Project Esperanza SCIO
This year our small organisation has grown so much! We now provide support to over 300 people through a range of community activities and advocacy for all ages. We have used the expertise gained through our support work in order to advocate for the rights of racialised migrant...
Scottish Men's Sheds Association (SMSA)
The last year has been defined by unity, impact, triumph and resilience for the SMSA. The charity celebrated its tenth year and its founder/CEO receiving an Honorary Degree nomination from Robert Gordon University, recognising his role in fostering social inclusion and improving...
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Together Reaching Higher CIC
Together Reaching Higher’s Climate-Ink project engaged over 130 ethnic minority children, youth, and families in North East Glasgow through creative climate education. The initiative combined awareness workshops, digital coding, art, storytelling, and recycling activities to make...
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Anne Livingstone - Sunny Cycles
Without Anne as Chair, Sunny Cycles wouldn’t be where it is today. Despite having no prior charity experience, she quickly learned how to run one effectively and has led the organisation for the past two years. Anne not only leads board meetings and ensures good governance but...
The Green Team
Our application celebrates the Green Team's 30th year and recognises achievements over that period (including overcoming financial adversity in 2018 to remain open). It also identifies wonderful achievements in the last year - a 21% increase in sessions relative to their previous...
British Red Cross
This year has been truly special for our organisation, due to the extensive and meaningful impact of our services. Our Crisis Response Team supported 29,000 people in 114 emergencies. Launching the 'Support at Home' initiative with NHS Fife preventing 80% of participants from...
Health All Round
Health All Round - open to all and something for everyone... "You have given me my life back....thank you, thank you, thank you." "Health All Round is fantastic and unique, vital to those in need. It helped save my life!" "My whole well being has improved. Thank you for getting...
Rohan Seilman - A.R.Ts Afternoon
Rohan Seilman is an incredibly compassionate, supportive, engaging person who wholeheartedly deserves the Employee of the Year Award. Dedicating nearly 30 years as Project Leader, his dependability, humour, and love of music uplift and enrich the day-to-day lives of the young...
Liz Broumley - Cromarty Courthouse Museum
Despite facing profound disability herself, Liz has dedicated herself full-time over the last three years to supporting the museum. She applied for funding for the first professional member of staff in over a decade whilst she led a ground-breaking project to create a free audio...
Dundee Contemporary Arts, NHS Tayside, Dundee City Council and University of Dundee - Hello In There Wee One
To produce the book, families across Dundee worked with local artist Louise Kirby and art therapist Vicky Armstrong to create images and share their views on what would support them to talk to their bumps. This project was funded by the Scottish Government's Children’s Rights...
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Ewen's Room
This year at Ewen’s Room has been all about growing stronger in what we do best—Promoting, Educating, and Connecting. We’ve promoted mental wellbeing across Lochaber, and our community has rallied around us—from teachers reaching out to riders trekking miles to raise awareness...
Seescape and Fife's Football Clubs - Making Football Accessible
“Losing my sight was a shock. I never thought I’d get back to the football…for the first time years I felt like a ‘normal’ man doing something normal on a Saturday afternoon.” (Davy McCowatt) Seescape’s partnership with Fife’s three football clubs brings the magic of football to...
Feed - Formula for Change
Formula is an essential food. Families shouldn’t be penalised for using it - in the health service, in society or at the till. Our Formula for Change campaign aims to smash the stigma around formula feeding by empowering women and families, removing barriers to affordable formula...
Gill Thomson - The Yard
A true champion of inclusive play, Gill has transformed support for disabled children and families across Dundee and Fife. Her passion and leadership have driven major developments, including the smooth relocation of services during a £1.5m refurbishment and securing a new home...
Dave McTernan - Epilepsy Scotland
Dave McTernan has volunteered with Epilepsy Scotland for six years, supporting service delivery as an out-of-hours moderator and Participant Forum member shaping the service delivery model. Living with epilepsy, he understands its impact and regularly contributes to the Epilepsy...
Letham4All SCIO
At The Hub, Letham4All is reducing poverty as barrier to good health and wellbeing by delivering a range of fitness, relaxation and social activities and low-cost community gym. We work with local volunteers to deliver community led services to build community resilience and...
Epilepsy Connections
In our 25th year, Epilepsy Connections has continued to deliver vital, life-changing support to people affected by epilepsy. We provided direct help to hundreds, including 313 new referrals and £500,000 in benefits claimed. Our social groups welcomed 416 participants, and over...
Boleskine Community Care
Boleskine Community Care deserves to be Charity of the Year for its dedication to supporting people of all ages across a remote Highland community. From children’s activities to services for older adults, BCC offers inclusive events, wellbeing groups, and home support that bring...
Gordon Armour - The McGlashan Trust
Gordon is an exceptionally devoted and selfless Trustee, dedicating countless hours to charitable causes both during his career and since retirement. He always serves in multiple Trustee roles simultaneously, often supporting three or four charities at a time. His current efforts...
Gillian Smith - Queensferry Churches' Care in the Community
Gillian Smith has been nominated for SCVO's Employee of the Year Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication to Queensferry Care since joining in 2000, and for going above and beyond in 2024 with a phenomenal fundraising effort that mobilised staff and volunteers...
Menopause Cafe - Menopause Awareness Ribbon Campaign
Last year we realised that there was no Menopause Awareness Ribbon, so we designed, commissioned, marketed and distributed on a shoestring. Many workplaces have Menopause Policies, but employees are often still embarrassed to tell their manager how menopause impacts them at work...
Perthshire Women's Aid
This year, as we mark our charity’s 50th anniversary, our mission remains vital. Over 1300 referrals were received this year, and 92% of women completing service evaluations reported they felt safer after our support. Despite ongoing demand for our services and active waiting...
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Climate Hebrides
Climate Hebrides CIC exists to promote collaboration and action on climate change across the Outer Hebrides. We bring people together: communities, businesses and agencies to tackle the greatest threat to our islands.
