AS VOLUNTEERS’ Week 2025 came to a close, the energy, passion and compassion of Argyll and Bute’s voluntary sector shone brightly at the Volunteer of the Year Awards, held on Friday, June 6 at the Rosslea Hall Hotel in Rhu.
Hosted by Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (ABTSI) for a fifth year, the event was expertly MC’d by the TSI’s own Janis Marshall Reilly and featured musical performances from vocalist, TV presenter and dancer, Joy Dunlop.
The event brought together over 155 guests in person and more than 260 viewers via livestream, (with views now totalling over 709), to honour the outstanding achievements of volunteers across Argyll and Bute with awards going to two young sports coaches from Bute and Dunoon based band SOAP.
With over 180 nominations, seven independent judges, and 17 award categories – including three brand new categories for Sustainability, Creative Legacy and Gaelic Volunteer of the Year – the ceremony showcased just how vital volunteers are to the life of our communities.
Among the raft of nominees from Cowal and Bute were Dunoon band SOAP, who lifted the Regional Hero – Cowal award for their work organising charity gigs and festivals, donating all proceeds to youth programmes, health initiatives and environmental projects.
Demilynn Nicol was also nominated as she volunteers at Ardnahein Care Home, where she delights residents and supports staff through creative activities and attentive care. Local man Martin Gerrish was also nominated. Martin volunteers with Dunoon Community Radio and spearheads a shared food- growing project in town. He mentors fellow volunteers to cultivate a dementia- friendly therapeutic garden, creating a space for learning, connection and shared harvests.
Other locals nominated included Rhona Altin, Tom McCowan and Susan Morrison.
Two dynamic and fiercely committed sports coaches from Bute lifted the Young Sports Coach of the Year award. Regan Craig and Dean Robertson are shinty ambassadors who lead weekly lunchtime and after- school sessions for pupils fromP1toS3ontheIsleof Bute, organise competitive fixtures for secondary schools, assist with refereeing at primary events and run taster sessions for island schools.
Runner-up in this section was Harris Munns, an aspiring Cadet Officer who volunteers at Holy Loch Sailing Club in Sandbank as both a sailing coach and board member, inspiring younger cadets with his leadership. Harris was also a runner-up for the Young Volunteer of the Year award along with other fellow local nominees Jessica Turnbull, Emily Somerville, Eva Blair, Elise Wilson and the Kintyre & Bute Youth Action Groups.
This year’s VOY’s also honoured the late Dr Malcolm Alexander, a founder member of The Lade Centre in Rothesay. Under his guidance the centre became a welcoming hub for music, relaxation therapies and gentle exercise. Malcolm’s kindness lives on in the work of his colleagues – notably Alison Cowan, whom he nominated for a VOY Award last year and who went on to win.
ABTSI Chief Executive Takki Sulaiman used the opportunity during the VOYs to reflect on national trends, noting a decline in volunteering rates in Scotland by eight per cent between 2019 and 2023.
Takki said: “Over the coming months the TSI will be launching a conversation and a campaign highlighting the impact the voluntary sector plays in our communities and to harness this knowledge to create a new voluntary sector strategy for Argyll and Bute and to find new ways to encourage and support people to volunteer.”
For a full list of this year’s winners and nominees visit: voyargyllbute.co.uk/ nominations.cfm
