Engaging pupils with industry, working to prevent offending and supporting disabled people into work were among the prominent themes in this year's bumper entry for the annual Herald Society Awards.
Now in their eighth year, the event gives an impressive overview of the scale, imagination and results achieved by workers in Scotland's public and voluntary sector, and can throw up some interesting 'fashions' as well as inspiring contributions.
Bees featured again this year, along with a number of projects using art and creativity to bring joy and self-confidence to deprived communities and marginalised groups.
Our expert team of judges had the unenviable task of selecting the very best from a host of impressive entries and have now determined the shortlist for the 2015 awards.
These include the three contenders for our newest award, the 2014 Legacy award for the best project carrying on the work of Glasgow's 2014 Commonwealth Games. Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, said: "Congratulations to all the finalists. This is a strong shortlist of organisations who are all doing great work to make sure there’s a lasting legacy to the Commonwealth Games."
The Health and Social Care Integration Award is sponsored by Social Work Scotland (SWS) and recognises the intense work going on across the public, private and voluntary sectors to improve results for people by bringing services closer together. Jane Devine, business manager at SWS said: "The system goes live in April and it is difficult to be innovative and creative under this kind of pressure. Social Work Scotland would like to congratulate the finalists for doing just that and for managing to do it in such inspirational ways."
Jim Sweeney is chief executive of YouthLink Scotland, which supports the Young People's Project of this year's award. He congratulated a strong list of nominees and added: "This year’s finalists for the Young People’s Project Award really demonstrate the innovative work and dedication of youth workers and volunteers across Scotland.”
Older People's Project of the Year, sponsored by Glasgow Caledonian University School of Health & Life sciences, has produced another strong shortlist. Vincent McKay, Dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), said: “Congratulations to all of the finalists. They should be proud of their achievements and I wish them all the best in this next stage.”
A larger than usual entry for this year's Unsung Hero award gave the judges plenty to consider, and Eamonn Connolly, director of sponsors for EVH said: "Once again the Unsung Hero category has unearthed some real gems. This is why these awards are so important as there are pearls to be found everywhere - here's to the next one!"
Last, but not least, another recent addition to the awards list is Social Entrepeneur of the Year, sponsored by Firstport.
Karen McGregor, Firstport chief executive, said: “It is inspiring to see such a diverse range of innovative social enterprises shortlisted. The judges will have a tough task ahead of them.”
Shortlist 2015
Education Initiative of the Year
West Highland College UHI - School of Adventure Studies
City of Edinburgh Council - Growing Confidence Secondary Schools Programme
Glasgow Caledonian University - The Advanced Higher Hub
Community Project of the Year
UnstFest, Shetland
Delivered Next Day Personally
National Autistic Society Scotland - Person to Person
Health and Social Care Integration Award – sponsored by Social Work Scotland
The Open University - Foundations for self-directed support in Scotland
West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership - Palliative Care Programme
Young People’s Project of the Year – sponsored by YouthLink Scotland
YMCA Scotland - Plusone Mentoring
Y sort it Fusion LGBT youth group - Coming Out
Impact Arts - The Young Gallery
Older People’s Project of the Year – sponsored by Glasgow Caledonian University School of Health & Life sciences
Shopper-Aide Ltd - Helping Older People in Kintyre
Impact Arts - Craft Café
Scottish Older People's Assembly
Environmental Initiative of the Year
Energy Agency - Area Based Schemes
Ayrshire College - Froglife’s Scottish Dragon Finder
Aberdeen City Council - East Tullos Burn Environment Improvements
Campaigner(s) of the Year
Euan MacDonald - Euan’s Guide
Network of Junior High School Parent Councils, Shetland - Campaign against mass school closures
ENABLE Scotland - #StopTheBus
Partnership Award
Open Doors Scotland - Employer Recruitment Initiative for Targeted Young People
Shine Women`s Mentoring Service
North Lanarkshire Council - The Women’s Community Justice Service
Herald Society Worker of the Year
Kathleen Laverty - University of Strathclyde Law Clinic
Tommy Kerr - Queens Cross Youth Homelessness Service
Herald Society Team of the Year
North Ayrshire Council Facilities Management
National Autistic Society Scotland Prospects Team
Housing Options Scotland Team
Queens Cross Housing Association, East Housing Support Service
Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by EVH
Euan MacDonald
Graeme Neil
George Berstan
Social Entrepeneur of the Year - Sponsored by Firstport
Mr Bruce Gunn - Delivered Next Day Personally
Paul Holmes - Kilsyth Community Market Garden
Gregory Chauvet - Glasgow Bike Station
Legacy 2014 Award
West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership - West Dunbartonshire Vitality Plus
The People’s Development Trust (PDT) - The Legacy Hub
Pidgin Perfect – PULSE artworks
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