You can submit only one nomination for each individual or team.  A nominator can nominate as many people/teams as they choose to, but if they nominate more than one in a category they should be aware that the nominations will be up against each other.

The exception to this is the Saltire Summit Nominations, where there can be up to a maximum of 12 winners for Midlothian each year. 

Awards are judged using the information provided on the nomination form, so it’s important to include plenty of detail. Provide some examples of the work and how it made a difference, or is likely to inspire others to volunteer.

Where there is a sponsor for a category, they appoint a small team of independent judges who decide who wins that category.

The Saltire Summit Award is judged by a group of local young volunteers who are appointed as Saltire Ambassadors.

Volunteer Midlothian staff and board members judge the Volunteer Team of the Year and The Volunteer of the Year award from the pool of nominees who didn’t win their category.

This year we have 10 award categories. Eight of them are open to nominations. Two categories (Team of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year) will be chosen by our staff and board members from all of the nominations submitted.

The 2024 award categories are as follows:

• Outstanding New Volunteer
  • For volunteers who have made an outstanding contribution to an organisation and/or their community in less than 18 months.

• Befriender or Mentor of Year
  • For volunteers who have helped others by being part of a befriending or mentoring relationship.   

• Active Volunteering and Climate Change (Sponsored by EDF)
  • For volunteers who have taken on an active role in their community helping to tackle climate change or being involved in sports and other physical activities.

• Service to the Community
  • For volunteers who give their time and input to provide valuable services in their community. Without these volunteers, organisations might not be able to sustain the work they do on behalf of others.

• Health and Wellbeing Award (Sponsored by Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership) 
  • For volunteers whose activities have had a health or care related focus, including those that have supported unpaid carers.

• Dedicated Service to Volunteering (Sponsored by Esk Valley Rotary Club)
  • For volunteers who have given their time to a cause or organisation for an extended period of time (at least 18 months, but it could be significantly longer).

• Equality and Diversity (Sponsored by Scottish Qualifications Authority) 
  • Shining a spotlight on volunteers whose actions have demonstrated fairness and a commitment to social justice, including those who have campaigned for the rights of others.  

• Saltire Summit Awards
  • For young people aged 12-25 who have achieved 100+ hours and who have made an outstanding contribution to volunteering.

Once you have decided to make a nomination, please tell the person or team concerned. They will probably be thrilled to find out! They may also want to know more about how the awards work and what will happen if they do win their category.

Volunteer Midlothian is highly committed to the recognition of volunteering efforts, and this includes promotion via social media and other digital channels such as our website and the media throughout the year. You may want to discuss this with the nominee to ensure they are comfortable.

All communication about the event will be from Volunteer Midlothian to the Nominator. It is the Nominators responsibility to share the information about the nomination and the ceremony with the individual/group they have nominated.

Remember to provide plenty of detail about what has been achieved by the nominee. The judges won’t know anything about the person or team concerned, so please give as relevant information as possible about them and their unique contribution. It may be down to earth and humorous, it’s about that unique human connection. How did they make a difference?

• Stick to the word count! Please ensure you stay within the word count, this ensures every nominee has a fair chance to get their story across.

• Focus on the volunteer, not the group or organisation they volunteer for. The judges are interested in what makes the nominee deserve recognition – not the wider organisation.

• Please provide good quality photographs, not blurry or squint! Ensure the photos clearly show the nominee(s) and don’t send in photos with more than one person (unless you’re nominating a team). Submitted photographs will be used in our media and promotional activities throughout the year, unless you let us know you want to opt out of this.

The majority of nominations are made by local third or public sector workers. This would include:

• A volunteer coordinator or other member of staff from a local charity
• A member of staff from Midlothian Council who has worked with volunteers
• An elected member of Midlothian Council
• The Chair or an office-bearer of a local community council
• The manager of a local development trust or social enterprise
• A charity trustee or board member
• An NHS worker who has worked with volunteers
• A teacher who has worked with volunteers
• A Head Teacher or a Chair of Parents Council
• Member of the public.

Please approach one of the people from the list noted above and chat with them about the possibility of submitting a nomination jointly.

For more info, or if you’ve got any questions, email info@volunteermidlothian.org.uk. Alternatively you can give us a call on 0131 663 9471.