We couldn’t do what we do without our network of fantastic volunteers.
Volunteers are central to our work to improve path networks and encourage more people to walk, cycle, and wheel for short journeys and for wellbeing.
So, this Volunteers’ Week (1 – 7 June 2020) we want to say a big thank you to our volunteers for their outstanding efforts by opening our 2020 volunteer awards for nominations.
Do you know a volunteer helping to get Scotland walking? Someone who has been dedicating their time, commitment, and enthusiasm to help others enjoy being more active? We’re accepting nominations for awards including Volunteer Walk Leader of the Year, Community Path Volunteer of the Year, Active Travel Volunteer of the Year and 8 other categories.
These awards are also an opportunity to share how volunteers have adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Volunteers that are normally involved with our community path, active travel and Walking for Health projects have been stepping up to new challenges in recent times. Instead of leading Health Walks or maintaining local paths, many volunteers have dedicated their time and efforts towards supporting people in their communities during the Coronavirus pandemic. Some of their efforts include:
- making food deliveries
- making wellbeing calls
- setting up online coffee mornings
- organising video chats with walkers who are shielding
- sharing exercise leaflets for walkers to exercise at home
- setting up online virtual walks
- providing bicycles for key workers
- cutting grass for elderly residents
- litter picking on their solo walks
- inspecting paths to plan future improvements
- pruning overgrown bushes
- cleaning interpretation panels and noticeboards
- encouraging creativity by writing “I remember poems” or thinking about place names. These activities have all been inspired by our artist in residence Alec Findlay.
From everyone at Paths for All we say a huge thank you to all volunteers who are caring for their local environment, tackling climate change, and reducing health inequalities.
Nominate your fantastic volunteers here
Winning projects will be presented with £250 for their project, a certificate, a glass award, and a £30 gift voucher for their volunteer. All nominees will receive a certificate acknowledging their contribution to getting more Scots active.