Age Scotland announce national award winners in online ceremony

The winners of Age Scotland’s 2020 national awards have been announced at a virtual ceremony held on 9th November.

The charity’s annual awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the exceptional commitment and contribution made by groups and individuals who make a positive difference to the lives of older people in Scotland.

The award categories are: Member Group of the Year; Volunteer of the Year; Services for Older People; Jess Barrow Award for Campaigning and Influencing; Patrick Brooks Award for Best Partnership Work, and the COVERT Challenge Award for Older Veterans to Exercise Regularly Together.

In previous years the awards ceremony has taken place in person, with the award winners among the guests of honour at Age Scotland’s annual conference, which is usually attended by hundreds of representatives of older people’s groups from around Scotland.

However, in March the charity made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 event in order to keep delegates and guests safe as the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

This year’s virtual ceremony will take place via Zoom Webinar, but it will be no less of a celebration. A special film has been made about each of the Awards Winners and these will be screened during the ceremony. The charity expects more than 200 guests to attend the virtual event from around Scotland.

Brian Sloan, Age Scotland chief executive, said:

“I am delighted that we are finally getting to recognise the outstanding work of our Age Scotland award winners whose enthusiasm and dedication plays a significant role in improving the lives of older people across the country.

“This year’s event will certainly be different. But we will do our best to celebrate the 2020 winners just as much virtually as we would have done in person.

“Cancelling our annual conference in March to ensure the safety of our members was an extremely difficult decision. It is the highlight of our calendar and I was very much looking forward to meeting the winners, delegates and other guests.

“However this year has been like no other. It has been very tough on so many people, and it has taken an especially heavy toll on older people. Thousands of older people have lost their lives to the virus. Many others have grown isolated and lonely after long months of shielding and continued visitor restrictions.

“At the virtual ceremony on Monday we will pay tribute to the exceptional work of member groups and individuals who do so much to support and improve older people in Scotland when we announce our worthy award winners.”