THE Chief Executive of Berwickshire Association of Voluntary Services has been shortlisted in the Employee of the Year category of the Scottish Charity Awards.
Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector.
Juliana Amaral who was born in Brazil but has worked in the Scottish Borders for 15-years told the Border Telegraph: “I am delighted to have been nominated with so many amazing people. But this is not my award. I have a very good team so it’s a team achievement. They have all made my role so easy so I’d like to thank the staff and volunteers.
“It’s even more special as this is the only people’s vote in the awards so please vote for us. But just to have been nominated is fantastic.
“I was nominated by the Board of Trustees but I had no idea until I found out that I’d been shortlisted. I was so surprised I couldn’t believe it but it’s nice to know our work is appreciated.
“At BAVS we provide door to door transport for mainly older people for hospital appointments or group events and are moving toward Net Zero with fully electric vehicles by 2025.
“We also have three charity shops in Coldstream, Eyemouth and Duns and we encourage people to use second-hand affordable clothes to help the environment and avoid buying new.
“We are always looking for more volunteers to drive or work in the shops andif anyone is interested they can email admin@bavs.org.uk or call us on 01361883137.”
This year’s shortlist includes 44 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country including the My name’5 Doddie Foundation.
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 Friday 20 May 2022.
Winners will be announced on 15 June 2022 in a glittering awards ceremony hosted by BBC broadcaster Sally Magnusson at Glasgow’s Crowne Plaza Hotel – COVID restrictions allowing.
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive, SCVO said: "The Scottish Charity Awards are a unique opportunity to celebrate the fantastic work of charities, community organisations and social enterprises across Scotland. The entries this year are as fabulous as ever and the 44 finalists come in all shapes and sizes. Every one of them is making a huge difference - they make Scotland a better place to live and I'm very much looking forward to meeting them in June. This is your chance to vote for your favourite in the People's Choice Award, so please offer your support.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here