The Courier is delighted to announce we’ve teamed up with our friends at The Centre Livingston to relaunch the search for West Lothian’s Local Heroes.
The Volunteer Award has been set up to shine a light on the amazing people in the local community who give their time for a good cause – from volunteering with a community
group or charity, to doing voluntary work in hospitals.
Not only does the winner receive a framed certificate but they are also rewarded with a £100 Gift Card, courtesy of The Centre, Livingston, which can be spent at over 80 stores and all restaurants in the shopping centre.
The most recent recipient of the award is 31-year-old warehouse volunteer Scott Allen, from Addiewell, who has been volunteering at the Livingston branch of the British Heart Foundation for the last year.
Scott was nominated by Dean Greig, warehouse manager, in recognition of his hard work and dedication to helping the British Heart Foundation, which is located in The Centre, and offers a huge range of good quality and affordable pre-loved furniture including beds, wardrobes, sofas and tables.
Over the past 12 months Scott has worked at the British Heart Foundation for 35 hours each week, volunteering an amazing 1,750 hours of his time to help the store, which sells items to fund vital research to improve the lives of the 7.4 million people affected by heart and circulatory disease across the UK.
Scott’s role as a warehouse volunteer sees him working within the warehouse, moving both incoming stock as well as stock that has been sold in store in a safe manner and ensuring that it is stored correctly. It’s an active, hands on role, one which has allowed Scott to gain in confidence while working as part of a close knit team.
There are many different types of volunteering roles available at the BHF - from department coordinators who help to sort out and display fashion, accessories, books, vinyl, homeware
and electrics, to behind the scenes roles in the stock room or warehouse.
All volunteers receive ongoing training and support to help them flourish and whether people spare a few hours or a few days each week, volunteering at the BHF is a great way of giving back to the community.
Michelle Armstrong, store manager at Livingston British Heart Foundation, said: “Scott is always keen to help in the warehouse and work hard – he has a great work ethic.
“He’s also quick to help others and is always very polite and willing to learn.
“I’d like to thank The Centre and The Courier for giving me the opportunity to nominate Scott – it’s a great way to recognise some of the volunteers who support the BHF on a daily basis, allowing the charity to continue to fund its life saving research.”
Scott Allen said he is delighted to win the award.
He continued: “Being nominated for this award makes me feel really good and happy. It’s great to be part of the team – we all work well together to help the charity and I enjoy the time spent at
the branch – especially the friends I’ve made. It has definitely given me more confidence in myself as well as a sense of responsibility.”
Ashley Bisland, Deputy Centre Director at The Centre, congratulated Scott and said she looks forward to rewarding more worthy nominees over the coming months.
She said: “It’s wonderful to hear about all of the people in our community who go the extra mile to help others.
“As Scott’s voluntary work takes place behind the scenes, it’s particularly gratifying to shine a light on these unseen volunteers, without whom the charity could not perform its vital role.”
We’re looking for your Volunteer Award nominations for the year ahead.
If you know a volunteer who spends their free time working tirelessly for the community, helping others or raising the spirits of those around them and you’d like to nominate them for this award,
as well as a framed certificate and a £100 Gift Card to spend at The Centre, Livingston, please send an email to Debbie.hall@trinitymirror.com along with the reasons for your nomination.
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