Saltire Awards 2025
Celebrating Shetland's Young Volunteers
Young volunteers across Shetland were recognised for a record-breaking contribution in 2025. A total of 185 young people were put forward for 335 Saltire certificates after completing more than 22,500 hours of volunteering with 70 organisations.
Voluntary Action Shetland (VAS) coordinates the Saltire Awards locally as part of the national Scottish Government-backed programme. The year-round initiative recognises young people’s commitment through four stages: the Challenge introduces team volunteering; the Approach recognises 10 and 25 hours; the Ascent marks 50, 100, 200 and 500 hours; and the Summit recognises an outstanding contribution. At the time of the June 2025 ceremony, the scheme covered volunteers aged 12 to 25; eligibility widened to age 11 later that year.
A record-breaking celebration
The annual ceremony was held at Mareel on 3 June, coinciding with Power of Youth Day and Volunteers’ Week. Eighty-two young people attended alongside family members, representatives of volunteer-involving organisations and VAS staff and board members. The evening celebrated the hours recorded, but also the skills, confidence and community connections developed through volunteering.
Volunteering in action
The range of activity reflected how many different ways young people contribute across Shetland. Examples included a sportscotland Young Ambassador helping to deliver lunchtime and after-school dance and netball clubs, and a young volunteer leading warm-ups and activities at an after-school football session for P1–P4 pupils.
Elsewhere, a Bridges volunteer helped build wheelchair-accessible picnic benches, planters and sandpits for 10 schools. Another young person volunteered regularly at a school tuck shop and helped plan a summer ball, organising a live band, photographer and food. These examples show how volunteering supports community life while giving young people practical experience for education and employment.
Young people leading the celebration
The celebration itself was shaped by young volunteers. Members of the Shetland Youth Voice Committee opened the event, presented most of the awards and read out attendees’ volunteering stories, while a Summit Award recipient closed the evening. This enabled young people to move from being award recipients to visible leaders of the event. One young volunteer and event presenter said:
“It was an amazing experience as I was pushed out of my comfort zone to present in front of a large crowd. I think this experience will help me to become much more confident in future… I felt well supported and encouraged throughout the preparations.”
Feedback from young people and supervisors was highly positive. Participants spoke about feeling proud, building confidence and gaining opportunities. One young person said the experience had helped with a college application, while another said:
“It helped me get into college and get a job.”
By recognising achievements at different stages, the Saltire Awards give young people a tangible record of their contribution. VAS’s year-round support also helps young people find opportunities, record their hours and receive recognition, while organisations benefit from their time, ideas and enthusiasm.
Partnership in practice
The initiative depends on partnership working. Those supporting young volunteers included Shetland Islands Council Youth Services - through Bridges, Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament, youth clubs and schools - along with Active Schools, sportscotland, Shetland Recreational Trust, third-sector organisations, community groups, charities and sports clubs. Together, they created opportunities across different interests and locations and put young people forward for recognition.
Contribution to the Shetland Partnership
- Participation: Bringing young volunteers, families and organisations together and giving young people an active role in the celebration.
- People: Building confidence, skills and connections through meaningful volunteering and public recognition.
- Place: Supporting young people to contribute to schools, groups and communities across Shetland.
- Money: Developing practical and transferable skills that can support further education and employment.