• Author: Richard Cross

    Anne Hyatt

    Richard Cross on 10 May, 2022

    Nominated by: Rosslyn Community Bowling Club

    Anne Hyatt has been involved in biodiversity projects in Roslin for the past 3-4 years and has made a tremendous impact leading and organising different initiatives. She established the Friends of Roslin Moat in conjunction with Roslin Men’s Shed and the local primary school, which led to the installation of 20 bird nesting boxes. She has also been instrumental in the development of a local community garden, working alongside the bowling club to improve the grassy area looking out into Chapel Lawns by replanting with trees, bushes and wildflowers. Anne’s calm manner and sense of humour are invaluable when working with other volunteers and she has helped to bring young and older people together in the community.

    The Amazing Brains Committee at Art Club

    Richard Cross on 10 May, 2022

    Nominated by: Art Club – hosted by the Bill Russell Woodburn Youth Project

    Young people aged 8 – 14 have met weekly for around three years to coordinate the activities of Art Club, a youth-led creative project based in Woodburn, Dalkeith. They call themselves the Amazing Brains Committee and they chair their own meetings, direct their own work and take part in a huge range of activities on a regular basis. They are passionate about climate change action and have directed a range of projects including the Junior Rangers Program which ran in the Summer of 2021 for five full days. The work of the Amazing Brains committee has helped to promote a more positive view of local young people and had also shown that they can be fantastic role models.

    Alan Paterson

    Richard Cross on 10 May, 2022

    Nominated by: Thornton Rose Riding for the Disabled (RDA)

    Alan Paterson has been a member of Thornton Rose Riding for the Disabled (RDA) since 2019. His sense of humour and kindness have made him a firm favourite with participants of all ages.In the stable environment he helps participants and their carers to groom and stroke the horses and spend time practicing their deep breathing to relax and rebalance their emotions. Alan made a big difference to one of our teenage attendees who lacked positive male role models in his personal life. Alan provided this young man with a safe place to express himself and to talk about his feelings. This is what the young volunteer said about Alan: ‘Alan encouraged me to never give up. Alan is a good volunteer. Alan is kind. Alan listens to you. Alan speaks to you. Alan made me independent. Alan encourages me to not misbehave when I’m with the ponies.’

    Connect Project Team

    Richard Cross on 10 May, 2022

    Nominated by: Volunteer Midlothian

    A volunteer from the Connect Project is matched with a member of the older population who has been identified as socially isolated in the Midlothian community. The contribution that Connect volunteers make to the lives of those they are matched with is huge. The befriending process often acts as a ‘safety net’ by maintaining a strong and regular connection with someone in the community who is in a vulnerable situation. Clients find it invaluable speaking with someone who is not a close friend or family member. The work of the Connect volunteers has helped to ensure that older people in Midlothian are less isolated and better supported.

    Connect Online Volunteer Team

    Richard Cross on 10 May, 2022

    Nominated by: Volunteer Midlothian

    The Connect Online Volunteer Team has been running for nearly ten years. Volunteers work with older people to increase their skills and confidence using digital technology. Learners are supported with whatever device they have including mobile phones, laptops, tablets and smart tech such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Queries often arise about topics such as scam texts and e-mails, which can cause significant financial harm if prevention measures are not put in place. The volunteers support participants to block numbers, set up spam filters and report phishing to banks or other organisations. In doing so, the Connect Online Volunteer Team are helping to promote digital safety and reduce the likelihood of cybercrime.

    Siobhan Nelson

    Richard Cross on 10 May, 2022

    Nominated by: Midlothian Council Communities, Lifelong Learning and Employability (Adults and Families)

    Siobhan Nelson launched the Midlothian Free Share Facebook page in December 2021. This popular online group enables people in Midlothian to give unwanted items away for free. Siobhan allows local businesses to advertise on the Free Share page and this encourages people to buy locally. Among the most frequent posts are those offering children’s clothes and furniture. On one occasion a person moving into a new flat without anything at all was able to furnish their flat through the kind donations of local people. The project is raising people’s awareness about recycling and reducing waste and it is tackling poverty in Midlothian. The site is inclusive and friendly because of Siobhan’s can-do attitude, tenacity, and community spirit.

    Gail Denholm

    Richard Cross on 10 May, 2022

    Nominated by: Home Link Family Support

    Gail Denholm began training as a volunteer with home Link Family Support in August 2020 during lockdown. She has shown outstanding commitment and dedication to the role, making sure the family she works with have food and clothing. She has demonstrated great listening skills and empathy but has also helped with practical tasks such as gardening. She is currently assisting a family to declutter and pack, ready for a long overdue move to a larger property. She has gone the extra mile on several occasions, including taking numerous car loads of rubbish to the tip. Gail’s input has enabled clients to grow in self-confidence and to become more resilient.

    Lillian Renshaw

    Richard Cross on 10 May, 2022

    Nominated by: Rosewell Development Trust

    Lillian Renshaw started volunteering with Rosewell Development Trust in 2021, at a lunch club that provides a twice-weekly opportunity for elderly residents to get together for a chat over lunch. This has been especially important during the Covid pandemic when many older people have experienced loneliness and isolation. Lillian’s role involves helping to set the tables, serve the meals, and clear up whilst also interacting with those attending. Lillian enjoys the company and likes to chat with lunch club members about what she has been up to during the week. People love hearing her infectious laugh.

    Karyn Mcgrath

    Richard Cross on 10 May, 2022

    Karyn McGrath has been volunteering for Anam Cara for over two years. She has extensive volunteering experience including supporting burns victims and continues to volunteer for CREW 2000 supporting people with addictions. She recently became part of the training team for the befriending service at Anam Cara. Her warm personality provides a soft shoulder to lean on and a listening ear. Many of Anam Cara’s other volunteers go to Karyn when they are struggling or when they need a bit of extra support. All her work is completely selfless and dedicated to the organisation.

    Nominated by: ANAM CARA

    Margaret McMeekin

    Richard Cross on 10 May, 2022

    Nominated by: Volunteer Midlothian

    Margaret McMeekin volunteers for Transform, a community gardening project that aims to promote health, wellbeing and environmental sustainability. Margaret is a retired teacher with a keen interest in gardening and the environment. Her previous experience working with young people helps her to support Transform’s young volunteers, encouraging them to take part in gardening activities whilst learning new skills and having a positive experience. One young volunteer said: ‘Margaret should be celebrated; she gives her everything to the garden. I feel a better person for working there, I would definitely say I have more confidence. The work she is doing is incredible – I have nearly forgiven her for getting me to try that pure stinky Kale!’ 

    Nicola Buntin

    Richard Cross on 10 May, 2022

    Nominated by: Health-in-Mind Midlothian community team

    Nicola Buntin is a Health in Mind volunteer. She supports a weekly walking peer group and a gardening group in Dalkeith. Nicola’s role is to make people feel welcome, listen to their needs, and to promote equal opportunities. She is always aware of group dynamics and quickly adjusts to be able to lead discussions and activities. Nicola showed great compassion and understanding by emotionally supporting a group member that was struggling with their mental health, listening carefully to their needs and providing comfort until the person felt able to move on. She shows a huge amount of warmth towards other volunteers and service users.

    Margaret Dowling

    Richard Cross on 10 May, 2022

    Nominated by: Rosewell Development Trust

    Margaret Dowling started volunteering with Rosewell Development Trust at The Steading in August 2021. She is the first point of contact for anyone visiting or calling the Steading, so it’s important that people are made to feel welcome or are directed to the right place. Many visitors to the hub have felt isolated or vulnerable through the pandemic, but Margaret’s friendly way with people ensures that everyone feels safe and welcome. She is a reliable and very committed new volunteer who consistently takes on fresh challenges to increase her confidence and skills.

    Recognising and supporting unpaid carers in your workplace

    Richard Cross on 30 March, 2022

    There are an estimated 1.1 million carers in Scotland and an estimated 1 in 8 people in the workforce are unpaid carers. Many carers juggle employment alongside their role as an unpaid carer.

    Who is an unpaid carer?

    A carer provides unpaid care to a family member, partner, relative or friend of any age who needs help to manage a long-term condition, disability, physical or mental health condition or addiction. Many carers don’t see themselves as a carer, instead they consider it part of their duties as a partner, parent, son, daughter or friend. Regardless of who a person cares for, or the reason they provide this care, it is important that carers are identified and supported.

    Balancing work and care can be a challenge at the best of times, but ever changing situations and the transition back to the workplace may also present additional stress. Anyone can become a carer at any time in their lives and some of your team may have new or increased caring responsibilities.

    Ensure your team members know that you’re happy to chat and address concerns they might have. One simple way to make your team feel they can talk about caring is by mentioning it in a team meeting. It’s always a good idea to ensure staff know about your organisation’s internal policies, such as carer’s leave, time off for dependents and flexible working that may support them in their caring role. Changes in legislation also mean that carers will be able to request up to one week of unpaid carer’s leave.

    Identifying carers

    Managers might be worried about initiating conversations about caring but likewise, team members might also feel reluctant or nervous to discuss their personal circumstances, especially if they are unsure of the support that is available.

    As a manager, try asking your team members some of these questions:

    • It sounds like life is quite busy/challenging just now. How are you feeling? What’s keeping you going?
    • Would it be ok if I asked you a bit more about….It sounds like you may have a caring role?
    • What would help you? What can I do to support you?

    Ensuring staff feel supported and valued at work will have a direct positive impact on morale, productivity and health and wellbeing. It can also help staff to stay in employment which will benefit your organisation and the individual.

    Simple adjustments at work such as flexible hours, a carer’s leave policy, and an internal carers’ network can go a long way to ensuring carers are supported in the workplace. Employers can also signpost carers to VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian).

    VOCAL can help

    VOCAL is a charity that provides support for carers including access to information, counselling, legal and benefits surgeries, and free learning and leisure events.

    VOCAL can support employers with a range of tailored training courses including ‘Identifying and Supporting Carers in the Workplace’.

    Visit www.vocal.org.uk or email midlothian@vocal.org.uk for more information.

    MVA AGM & Review of Midlothian TSI’s work in 2020/2021

    Richard Cross on 19 January, 2022

    Join us for the joint Midlothian Voluntary Action Annual General Meeting and Review of Midlothian TSI’s activities in 2020/2021

    We’ll be showcasing the achievements in 2020-2021 of both MVA and the wider Midlothian Third Sector.

    The meeting will be held online on 8 February 2022 from 7PM.

    If you’d like to come along, please register here.