The Epic Awards celebrate the best community projects across the UK and Ireland

The work of some of Scotland’s best voluntary groups has been recognised – and now they are set to fight it out in a competition.

Ten organisations from across the country have been nominated for the Epic Awards.

The contest is hosted by Voluntary Arts, and aims to highlight the diversity of voluntary-led creative cultural activity across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

This year the 10 groups will fight out for the title of best in Scotland before the winner competes with the best groups from other regions to be named the UK and Republic of Ireland champion.

All of the projects are also entered into the people’s choice award with the public invited to vote on the awards’ website.

Kathryn Welch, director of Voluntary Arts Scotland, said: “We were delighted to receive a record number of entries to the Epic Awards in Scotland this year, and were blown away by the very high standard of the entries.

“It's an absolute pleasure to be able to shine a light on our 10 shortlisted groups, whose work - like so many volunteer-run activities across Scotland - brings joy and vibrancy to our communities.”

Organisations nominated include the volunteer-run Killin Music Festival, arts group Uddingston Craft Bomb and Say it Ain’t Sew, a project which sees volunteers teach sewing to those struggling with isolation or mental health problems.

Say it Ain’t Sew's Iona Barker said: “Say It Ain't Sew began as a weekly class in a pub in Glasgow in 2010 - and I am really proud that it has now grown into a network of free weekly Say it Ain't Sew classes that take place across Scotland.

“It has been fantastic to be involved in a number of collaborative projects along the way too, working in partnership with a range of charitable organisations.”

The winners will be announced at a special reception in Dublin on Thursday 3 May.