Bethany Christian Trust wins top volunteer award again!

National homelessness charity Bethany Christian Trust has once again been recognised for its outstanding commitment to volunteering, receiving the prestigious Investing in Volunteers Award from Volunteer Scotland for the third consecutive year. The award ceremony took place on Tuesday 2nd July at the charity’s Edinburgh office in Leith.

Investing in Volunteers serves as the UK’s gold standard for organisations that engage volunteers, acknowledging Bethany Christian Trust’s dedication to professionalism and unwavering support for its volunteers who play a crucial role in offering vital connections, advice, and practical assistance to individuals using their services across Scotland.

With a network of over thirty services, Bethany Christian Trust annually aids more than 7,000 individuals across various regions including Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Fife, West Lothian, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, Stornoway, Perth, Dumfries, and Edinburgh, benefiting from the dedication of over 3,000 volunteers.

The rigorous assessment conducted by Volunteer Scotland spanned six days, encompassing 58 volunteer interviews and questionnaires to gauge the impact and effectiveness of Bethany Christian Trust’s volunteer programme.

One volunteer shared their experience, stating: “Working alongside the staff at Bethany Christian Trust has been an absolute privilege. I volunteered thinking that I could help the charity, but I have gained more from the role than I could ever possibly hope to give back to the service with which I volunteer.”

Chief Executive, Alasdair Bennett, Volunteer Coordinator Gladness Cole, and People Team Manager Izzy de Izaguirre were in attendance to accept the award on behalf of the organisation.

Expressing his gratitude, Alasdair Bennett remarked: “This award is a testament to the incredible volunteers who pour their hearts into Bethany’s work in various capacities across Scotland. The invaluable contribution of our volunteer force is essential for us to fulfil our mission, and we are truly honoured to receive this recognition from Volunteer Scotland for the third time. It reaffirms the importance of volunteering and the transformative impact volunteers have on society through Bethany’s initiatives.”

Gladness Cole also extended her appreciation to the volunteers, stating: “I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to every one of our volunteers for their incredible dedication and hard work. Their selfless contributions have made a significant impact on Bethany Christian Trust, and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity, time, and energy in our collective efforts to combat homelessness in Scotland, one person at a time.”