The winners of the Shetland Community Spirit Awards have been revealed

A new award has been created to celebrate community spirit in Shetland.

Voluntary Action Shetland recently launched the Shetland Community Spirit Awards. The aim of this new award was to celebrate and recognise all the amazing volunteering, support and acts of kindness that has been taking place in Shetland during the Covid-19 pandemic and to thank those who have given so much to their communities.

Over the past few months we have seen volunteering in Shetland at its very best with folk stepping up to help the most vulnerable in our local communities whilst existing community groups have excelled in supporting so many at their time of need. With so many examples of local communities coming together showing brilliant Community Spirit throughout  Shetland, we knew we needed to recognise this amazing effort before it is forgotten.

A total of 76 nominations were received, with some being duplicate nominations, there were 59 recipients of the Award including: individuals, organisations, businesses and community.

Thank you to all who nominated and congratulations to all recipients, thank you for all you do for your communities.  Well done Shetland!

Catherine Hughson, executive officer of Voluntary Action Shetland, said: “Once again Shetland is punching above its weight in community spirit and volunteering when community needed it most.  These awards are just the tip of the iceberg of the help that communities, individuals and businesses have given time and effort to assist the most vulnerable in our communities. This is community empowerment at its best a huge thank you to you all."

List of the Shetland Community Spirit Award recipients:- 

• Akira Foster of Lerwick who went above and beyond to support and help out
• Alison Reid of Bressay for working her socks off, going above and beyond to help the elderly and vulnerable people in her community
• Andrea Watt of Walls for supporting others in her community
• Beverley McIntosh of Vidlin for helping others in her community
• Bigton Community for coming together and supporting their community during the COVID-19 lockdown 
• Brae Foodbank for helping people in the community in their time of need
• Bressay Development Ltd for taking the initiative and trying new things to keep the community close and together during Lockdown
• Bressay Shop & Alison Reid & Volunteers for their amazing efforts and brilliant service
• Busta House Hotel for their go-ahead spirit, amazing work and serving their community
• Celia Smith of Lerwick for going above and beyond to ensure Community Spirit was kept alive and well and has done so much to help others in her community
• Colin Clark of Gulberwick for his lifeline services to his community  
• David Grieve and Volunteers of the Shetland Foodbank for an amazing job and being a lifeline to those in need in our community  
• Denise Johnson and the Lunnasting Hall Committee for putting together information and a welcome support package for every household in Vidlin and ongoing support to the local community
• Doug Forrest of Walls for helping in his community
• Edwin and Lesley Leslie for delivering medication and helping to support others in their community  
• Elizabeth Johnson of Uyeasound in Unst for delivering prescriptions on behalf of the community
• Elliot Callieu from Vidlin for supporting others in his community
• Ewan Anderson and the Dogs Against Drugs team for reaching out to wider community and making a positive difference to morale
• Faye Cox of Unst for her energy and enthusiasm in helping to keep Unst healthy and fit and also setting up a local community support page
• Frankie Valente, Clerk of Lerwick Community Council for making a huge difference to people in her community through her efforts and also reviving the community council garden awards 
• Freefield Pharmacy, Lerwick for brilliant service for their community and keeping folk safe
• Gaby Giacchino and Renzo Spiteri - The Curious Pilgrims of Bressay for delivering prescriptions and helping to support their community
• Geordie Laurenson of Walls for supporting and helping others in his community including delivering messages, cutting grass and supplying fun hand sanitisers to local bairns
• Gordon Thomson of Unst  who is providing constant support to the community and the Unst charity shop
• Gus Dow of Bigton for his services to the community by making baguettes at weekends 
• Helena Spence of Yell for arranging care bags for children in the isle and her kindness    
• Iris Sandison of Walls for helping others in her community distributing vouchers to the over 70s
• Island Fish Shetland Ltd for brilliant and cheerful service for their community
• Jackie Townshend of Sandwick for helping others in her community
• Jane Cluness of Bridge of Walls for supporting others in her community
• Janet Dunnet of Sandwick for collecting and delivering prescriptions and helping others in her community since the start of lockdown
• Janet Laing of Walls for supporting others in her community
• Jim Tait of Walls for leading a sailing series for others in Shetland
• John Goudie, Toab Shop for their brilliant service during Lockdown  
• John Herculson and staff of John I Herculson's Shop for their helpful and cheerful service and going above and beyond for their community  
• Julia Odie of Voe for supporting others in her community by delivering messages to vulnerable residents
• Karen Eunson, Staff and Volunteers of Shetland Islands CAB for offering essential help, support and advice to everyone who needs it during challenging times
• Kerry Geddes of Gulberwick Clerk for Gulberwick, Quarff and Cunningsburgh Community Council for her outstanding efforts to her community    
• Kevin and Hilary Smith of the Walls Shop offering an invaluable service and doing a really super job for their community 
• Mainlands Mini Market for their wonderful help and cheery service to their community
• Mairi Jamieson of Sandwick for helping other in her community
• Margaret Roberts of Northmavine for supporting staff and  going above and beyond for those in her community
• Mary Grace Anderson of Whalsay for her amazing efforts in making scrubs for NHS Shetland   
• Paul Fowler of Fetlar for doing anything for anyone whatever the weather
• Roma Stevenson of Scalloway for helping others
• R.S. Henderson of Cullivoe - Louise and Steven Henderson for their outstanding efforts and service to their community
• Sandwick Baking Company for providing a brilliant service and going above and beyond for their community
• Sandwick Economic Development Company SCIO (SEDCo) for providing very important services to their community 
• Scalloway Meat Company for their helpfulness, willingness and a great service to their community
• Shetland Scrubs Facebook Page and Organisers for their amazing efforts in organising, making and distributing scrubs throughout Shetland
• Shona Wishart of Gulberwick for her lifeline services to her community   
• Sound Service Station for doing a brilliant job and their sterling service to the community
• Staff at Peerie Foxes: Kayleigh Anderson, Kirsty Odie, Madison Gibbs and Anita Keith for amazing care and support to keyworkers children   
• Support for Self-Isolation Shetland Facebook Page and Organisers for offering vital support and keeping everyone informed helping both those isolating and those who wanted to help others 
• Susan Couper of Walls for supporting others in her community by delivering prescriptions
• Tagon Stores for hard work and dedication to the community and offering a brilliant service
• Terry & Grace McCaffrey of Scalloway for their kindness to others in their community
• Venitta Atkinson of the Walls Shop for doing a super job and offering a great service
• Vivienne Henry of Whalsay for her amazing effort in making scrubs for NHS Shetland