Nominations now closed!

We are delighted to announce that the Inspire Volunteering Awards will once again take place in 2026, hosted by SVE, and will be held during Volunteers’ Week for the very first time! 

This new timing places the Awards at the heart of a national week of recognition, creating a dedicated space to celebrate the individuals, groups, and organisations whose volunteering makes a tangible difference across Stirling and Stirlingshire. 

The 2026 Awards will honour volunteering in all its forms, from committed individuals to dynamic teams working within charities, social enterprises, community groups, and local organisations. Nominations are open for your inspiring volunteers, your tireless trustees, your energetic sports clubs, your dedicated community councils, and your volunteer-led groups that quietly and consistently strengthen local life. If someone in your organisation or community has gone above and beyond over the past year, this is your opportunity to recognise their impact and share their story. 

The categories for the 2026 Inspire Volunteering Awards are as follows: 

Heart of Gold sponsored by Scottish Fire & Rescue 

Nominations for this award are open to individuals or groups of volunteers who have gone above and beyond, demonstrating exceptional kindness, compassion, and dedication. This award recognises and celebrates volunteers who have made a real difference to the lives of others, and have created positive, lasting change. 

Community Champion sponsored by the Thistles Stirling

 This award recognises individuals or groups of volunteers who have shown extraordinary commitment to supporting or improving their local community, for example through fundraising, community initiatives or contributing to an impactful local project. Nominations should highlight the positive impact the nominee has made in championing their community. 

Young Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Nominations are open to individuals or groups aged 25 and under who have shown outstanding dedication to volunteering. This award celebrates the energy, passion, and commitment young people bring to supporting their communities and helping others. 

Outstanding Trustee sponsored by STEP

This award recognises trustees or board members who have shown exceptional leadership, governance, and dedication to their organisation. Nominations should demonstrate how their vision and commitment have helped build a resilient and sustainable organisation, strengthened its direction, enhanced services and made a lasting difference. 

Health, Wellbeing & Sport 

Nominations are open to individuals, teams, or groups who have made positive contributions to promoting health, wellbeing, or physical activity in their community. This could include supporting exercise or sports activities, mental health or befriending groups, community projects that reduce loneliness, or initiatives that encourage healthy and active lifestyles. 

Culture, Arts & Faith 

This award celebrates volunteers who enrich their communities through culture, arts, or faith-based activities. Examples could include leading community theatre or music groups, running creative workshops, supporting local art exhibitions, helping at cultural festivals, volunteering with faith-based charities, or assisting uniformed organisations in community activities. 

Environment & Heritage sponsored by FEL Scotland

Nominations are open to individuals or teams of volunteers who actively support the protection, improvement or celebration of Stirling’s local environment or heritage. This could include projects that conserve green spaces, preserve historic sites, or encourage community engagement with nature or local heritage projects. 

Inspire Volunteering Award 

The winner of this award will be chosen from all nominees across the other categories. This award recognises an individual or team who has demonstrated exceptional impact and commitment in 2026, serving as an outstanding example of volunteerism and dedication to their community. 

The Lord Provost Award 

This year, the Inspire Volunteering Awards includes a very special new honour, the Lord Provost Award, to recognise organisations that go the extra mile for their volunteers. Volunteers know how much difference a great organisation can make, helping them feel welcomed, supported, and truly valued. Unlike other awards, which celebrate individual volunteers, this award highlights the crucial role organisations play in creating positive, meaningful volunteering experiences. 

It celebrates organisations that put time, care, and leadership into welcoming volunteers, offering meaningful roles, providing training and support, listening to feedback, and showing appreciation. These organisations create a friendly, inclusive culture where volunteers can thrive, stay motivated, and make a real difference in their communities. Chosen by the Lord Provost, the award reflects civic pride in the local third sector and recognises the excellence, leadership, and lasting impact these organisations have on volunteers and the wider community. 

All nominations have now been submitted for this year's awards, and are now being considered by our judging panel. Our shortlist will be announced in April, with more details about our awards celebrations!