Lead Scotland AGM 2017

If exceeding our learners targets by 10% and taking helpline calls from 22 local authority areas, up from 17 last year, is a good year then we’ve had one! Check out our Annual Impact Review and Accounts.

We were delighted that over 40 members and guests came to our AGM this year to take in the excellent work going on in four of our projects then loudly cheering on the Winners of our 2017 Volunteer and Learners Awards.

First up was Derek from our North Lanarkshire project talking about the challenge of finding an organisation which could support him to learn very specific and complex software, Jaws and Kurzweil, to get back into community life from feeling stuck in a dark place. “Lead is flexible and I can go at my own pace. My volunteer is an unsung hero. Before you know it we were talking Star Trek! There was a social side to learning too. It’s made a great difference, I am more involved and independent. I take an active role now when I volunteer.”

Second up was Mags Joseph our Aberdeenshire Learning Coordinator who has worked with a young learner on an Activity Agreement who made the journey from having agoraphobia and very low confidence, through to travelling independently and enrolling at college on a course she loves. The learner wants to give other young people hope and she proudly showcased her artistic talents by video.

Third up was George, an excellent volunteer with both of our Fife Projects, Learning and Befriending.  He spoke about his enjoyment when working with people and the gains he has experienced through volunteering.

Fourth up was Amy Browne, our Dundee Learning Coordinator who had worked hard to produce a video about volunteering with our Dundee Project.  The video closed with a learner talking about the positive impact on her life from learning digital skills with one to one support at home from her  volunteer.

We were so pleased to hear that Kay was announced as the worthy winner of our Dr Ethel Gray Volunteer of the Year Award 2017, presented by Don Jarvie, our Chairman. Kay has been a volunteer with Lead’s Fife project for the past 11 years, supporting 28 learners! She has also mentored volunteers, been part of pilot project for volunteer accreditation, has reviewed some of Lead’s policies, volunteer surveys, has supported an HMI review, been involved in a project evaluation and has assisted the Fife Learning Coordinator with marketing material.   Well done Kay!

This year the panel chose both an Individual and a Group as worthy winners of our James Hill Learner of the Year Award.

Group Winners: The Bridge Project, Aberdeenshire. Each of the group’s eight members overcame barriers to create new opportunities for themselves whilst they worked towards their Adult Achievement Awards, taking up work experience placements, learning to travel independently, working with 5th year pupils in the local academy to develop inclusive sports and games, considering living independently, taking more control of life decisions and becoming volunteers!  Awesome!

Individual Winner: Rita from Moray. Whilst learning with Lead Scotland, Rita gained the Adult Achievement Award at SCQF level 6. This is the first recognised, accredited qualification Rita has achieved since leaving school and her journey to that achievement has been amazing. She has gone on to further education, has joined a creative writing group and now also a part-time job supporting disabled adults to improve their computing and IT skills. Well done Rita!

Then it was onto the important business of the AGM itself. Job Done!