Contact the Elderly has also been shortlisted for five more awards over the last year

A charity which offers a lifeline of friendship to more than 850 older people in Scotland is celebrating scooping five accolades in the past year.

Contact the Elderly has also been shortlisted for a further five awards recognising the immeasurable difference it makes to the lives of those who live alone in communities throughout the country.

Most recently, it was awarded the Reducing Vulnerability title at the Highlands Third Sector Interface awards and a People Make Glasgow Inspiring City Awards for Carers of the Year.

It also received an Age Scotland Certificate of Excellence and the Herald Society's Best Older People's Project gong.

Morna O'May, head of Scotland at Contact the Elderly, said: "This has been a phenomenal year for Contact the Elderly in Scotland and I am immensely proud of what our team and dedicated volunteers have achieved.

"Everything we do is to ensure older people who live alone can break the cycle of social isolation and continue to enjoy new experiences making new friends in their later years.

"In the past year, we have welcomed more than 20 new groups and are aiming to repeat that success in the coming year to further extend the vital lifeline of friendship."

John Gall, a volunteer with the charity in Aberdeen, was named Volunteer of the Year by Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations.

Fellow volunteer Catherine Tully was shortlisted as an Evening Times Community Champion and Shirley McEwan was shortlisted for Volunteer of the Year Award by Volunteer Dundee.

The charity’s Kippen group made it to the final round for the Volunteer Team of the Year at the Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprises Inspiring Volunteers awards. The charity was also a finalist in the Highland Business Women Awards in the third sector organisation category.