The aim of the awards is to recognise all kinds of volunteering, which includes both formal and informal volunteering
The awards consist of two categories, the ‘Willin Haands Award’ for adults aged 26 and over, and the ‘Peerie Trows Award’ for children 11 and under. The awards complement the national Saltire Awards scheme, which we deliver annually to recognise young people aged 11 to 25.
We developed the awards scheme to celebrate individuals of all ages who volunteer in Shetland and recognise their valuable contribution to our communities. Both formal and informal volunteering are recognised in the award with the latter often being overlooked, even by the volunteers themselves.
Informal volunteering can be a host of tasks such as providing home-bakes for fundraisers/teas, helping a neighbour in need, litter picking or other ways of supporting the community without formally being involved with an organisation.
The Voluntary Action Shetland Volunteering Awards (VAS VA) are nomination-based, anyone can nominate (whether they are an individual or an organisation) someone, adult or child who volunteers or has volunteered. Please read the nomination guidelines before nominating someone for the awards. Everyone who is nominated and meets the criteria receives a certificate through the post and are invited to share a photo of themselves with their certificates for us to share on our celebration pieces on social media, office window and press report.
Here at VAS we want to say a thank you and big well done to everyone who volunteers.
