Birchwood Highland nominated for Scottish charity of the year award
A HIGHLAND charity is in the running for a national award.
Birchwood Highland was set up over 25 years ago to work with people with mental ill health and focuses on improving the quality of a person’s life experiences.
The organisation, which is based in Inverness, has been nominated for the Scottish charity of the year.
The late Donald Stirling from Strathpeffer has meanwhile been nominated as a charity champion for his work with ENABLE Scotland.
The awards, run by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, recognise the life-changing work of charities, community groups and people across Scotland.
Emily Stokes, chief executive at Birchwood Highland, said: “Mental health is a universal concern which deserves a greater voice and a higher priority than it currently holds. Stigma towards those with mental ill health is still rife and we are committed to changing such attitudes for good. We are so pleased to be short listed for Charity of the Year and the People’s Choice Award as this will help us raise the profile of our work and the role of mental health services in Scotland – services which make a silent but profoundly important contribution to our society every day.”
Jan Savage, assistant director of campaigns and membership at ENABLE Scotland, said: “We are extremely proud to have Donald Stirling nominated for this award. Everyone who met and knew Donald was struck by his passion and his achievements. He was an inspiration and we are still guided by his work.
“We all miss Donald but this nomination is a fitting tribute to his life and his work on behalf of people who have learning disabilities.”
Winners will be revealed at a ceremony in the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, on Thursday, June 4.