Recognition for volunteers

Apr 16 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

SOUTH Lanarkshire Volunteer Enterprise (SoLVE) held itsannual Volunteering Quality Standard awards at South Lanarkshire Council’s headquarters in Hamilton on March 30.

The VQS awards were developed in order to recognise the work of volunteers and were presented to:

l The Aveyron Centre in Hamilton, which provides care, support, activities and a stimulating environment for adults with profound learning difficulties and who have complex physical and social needs.

l Family Mediation, which provides information and support for separated or divorced parents and contact centres that are neutral and safe for children to meet with parents they don’t live with.

l Terminal One youth centre, Blantyre, focuses on the personal development of young people and provides a high standard of skilled staff and modern facilities, which can be accessed for social, vocational and educational purposes.

SoLVE chairman Ian Barcroft said: “Our organisation has been in existence for almost 11 years and we plan to continue this work in the future as a high standard of support is essential to attract, retain and help volunteers reach their full potential, and to help provide the best quality of services for the people who depend on them.”

South Lanarkshire Provost Russell Clearie presented the awards and said: “This region would not be the place it is today if it were not for the dedicated army of volunteers who provide such a specialised and valuable support system for so many people in our communities.”