Celebrating the Spirit of Volunteering: VOY Awards 2025 Winners Announced
As Volunteers’ Week 2025 drew to a close, over 155 guests gathered at Rosslea Hall Hotel in Rhu on Friday 6 June—and more than 260 tuned in online—to celebrate the incredible dedication of Argyll and Bute’s volunteers. Hosted by Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface for the fifth year running, our Volunteer of the Year (VOY) Awards showcased over 190 nominations, 17 award categories (including three brand-new ones: Sustainability Champion, Creative Legacy and Gaelic Volunteer), and seven independent judges. The night was expertly MC’d by Janis Marshall Reilly, with stirring musical performances from Joy Dunlop.
“It was so amazing to hear and read about the incredible stories of our nominees… Listening to the Route 81 Intergenerational Team was awe-inspiring,” – Takki Sulaiman, TSI CEO
Below is the full list of VOY Awards 2025 winners:
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Sports Coach of the Year (sponsored by LiveArgyll):
Derek Hazlett (JKS Arrochar Karate Club) -
Young Sports Coach of the Year (sponsored by LiveArgyll):
Regan Craig & Dean Robertson (Isle of Bute Shinty Initiative) -
Regional Hero – Oban & Lorn:
Alison Craig (Comann nam Parant, Oban) -
Volunteer Team of the Year:
Route 81 Intergenerational Team (Crosslet House Care Home, Dumbarton) -
Regional Hero – The Islands (inc. Bute):
Carol Flett (Curam Meals on Wheels, Tiree) -
Creative Legacy Award:
Andrew Servant (Taynuilt Highland Games Committee) -
Sustainability Champion (sponsored by ACHA):
Elaine Walton (ReMake Argyll, GRAB Trust Oban) -
Gaelic Volunteer Award (sponsored by Bòrd na Gàidhlig):
Arlene MacLeod (Aon Ghuth Gaelic Makaton Choir, Oban) -
Regional Hero – Cowal:
SOAP (community covers band) -
Volunteer Organisation of the Year:
Grey Matters Active Ageing (Helensburgh) -
Regional Hero – Mid-Argyll & Kintyre:
Lorne McArthur (Campbeltown Youth Football) -
Health & Wellbeing Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by HSCP):
Kathy Morrison (Versus Arthritis, Helensburgh) -
Regional Hero – Helensburgh & Lomond:
Evelyn Smith (Garelochhead Seniors Club) -
Community Learning Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by LiveArgyll):
Keith Wilson (Astronomy Workshops, Kintyre & Gigha) -
Young Volunteer of the Year:
Naomi Rimmer (New Hope Café, Oban) -
Volunteer of the Year:
Elizabeth Lambert (various sustainability & heritage projects, Helensburgh) -
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Dee Carrick (Moving On Mid Argyll)
A huge thank-you to our sponsors—LiveArgyll, Argyll Community Housing Association, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Argyll & Bute Health & Social Care Partnership—and to our presenters Joy Dunlop, Sir William Rae, Councillor Fiona Howard and Councillor Maurice Corry, Samantha Campbell and Gillian Logan.
You can view photos from the day here → Argyll & Bute Volunteer of the Year – Gallery
Curious about receiving a nomination this year? Check out the full list of nominations here.
Keep an eye out for our highlight reel coming soon!