NOMINATIONS ARE open for this year’s Volunteer of the Year Awards 2025, (VOY 25), which is set to be a remarkable celebration of the incredible volunteers across the region, who give their time and dedication to local communities.
Hosted by Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface, (TSI), and sponsored by liveArgyll, Argyll and Bute HSCP, and ACHA, the event will take place on Friday, June 6 at Rosslea Hall Hotel, Helensburgh.
This year’s event will be extra special with the addition of renowned Gaelic singer, presenter, and broadcaster Joy Dunlop, who will both perform and present the newly introduced Gaelic Volunteer Award.
Joy, whose work has been celebrated internationally, is known for her stunning vocal performancesanddedication to promoting and preserving Gaelic language and culture. She has performed on some of the biggest stages across Scotland and beyond, sharing her love of Gaelic through music, television, and education.
Speaking about the announcement, Takki Sulaiman, CEO of Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface, said:”We are absolutely delighted to welcome Joy Dunlop to this year’s Volunteer of the Year Awards. Her passion for Gaelic culture aligns perfectly with the introduction of our Gaelic Volunteer Award, which recognises individuals or groups who have gone above and beyond to promote and preserve Gaelic within their communities. We are excited to honour these volunteers and celebrate their contributions, alongside the many other inspiring individuals making adifferenceacrossArgylland Bute.”
Nominations are open until April 18, and VOY 25 is calling on communities across Argyll and Bute to put forward the incredible volunteers, teams, and organisations making a real impact. There are 14 award categories, including: Volunteer of the Year, Young Volunteer of the Year, Regional Hero Awards, (Oban and Lorn, Helensburgh and Lomond, Mid Argyll and Campbeltown, Cowal and Bute, The Islands), Gaelic Volunteer Award (New for 2025), Sustainability Champion Award, (Sponsored by ACHA), Health and Wellbeing Volunteer, (Sponsored by HSCP), Sports Coach and Young Sports Coach of the Year, (Sponsored by Live Argyll), Community Learning Volunteer of the Year, (Sponsored by Live Argyll), Creative Legacy Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Volunteering Team of the Year and Volunteer Organisation of the Year.
Nominations can be submitted at: voyargyllbute. co.uk/.
As part of this year’s ceremony, VOY 25 will also include an In Memoriam section to honour the volunteers we have lost over the past year. Their contributions have helped shape their communities, and this is an opportunity to recognise their lasting impact. Anyone wishing to submit a name and photo of a volunteer to be included in this tribute can email [email protected]. uk.
