Isles charity shortlisted for national voluntary award

A Western Isles charity has been named as one of the finalists in this year’s Scottish Charity Awards.

Western Isles Violence Against Women Partnership – Safer Outer Hebrides (Campaign of the Year) is one of 32 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country to have been shortlisted. The public are now invited to vote for their choice in an online poll.

Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector.

While a judging panel will determine the winners under nine distinct categories, members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award – by visiting scvo.scot/vote – before 5pm on Wednesday May 24.

Ariane Burgess, Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands, congratulated the Western Isles Violence Against Women Partnership. She nominated the partnership for the award for its Safer Outer Hebrides website which acts as a directory of public protection organisations, events calendar and news source for the people of the Outer Hebrides.

The website was created in response to the Scottish Government’s Equally Safe quality standard and enables clear signposting to support services addressing violence against women and girls.

The website is funded by Western Isles Rape

Crisis Centre.

Ms Burgess said: “The Scottish Charity Awards are a wonderful opportunity to highlight the incredible work that goes on in the charity and voluntary sector across Scotland.

“It’s marvellous to see the Safer Outer Hebrides campaign earning recognition and praise.”

Winners will be announced on Friday June 23 in a celebratory awards ceremony hosted by broadcaster Sally Magnusson at the Sheraton Hotel, Edinburgh.