Renfrewshire Council

Sports Award (sponsored by ACRE Industrial Services)

Winner: Michael Shearer

Michael is Chairman of Renfrew FC Youth & Girls community football club. He has been pivotal in growing the club through recruiting volunteers and bringing in sponsorship and funding that makes the club more accessible to young people and children in the Renfrew area. Michael is passionate about the club and the young people who attend and goes above and beyond to make sure everyone feels special and acknowledged - organising awards events to recognise achievements and thank volunteers for their commitment to the club.

Community Group (sponsored by City Gate Construction)

Winner: Kickin' On

Kickin' On is a mental health support group providing a safe and non-judgemental environment.  Initially set up as an exercise and talking therapy group with the ethos to help to ease the burden on those suffering with poor mental health, addiction problems, social isolation struggles and loneliness. Since launching in 2020 the group have built upon this and now have a weekly programme of activities including bootcamps, talking groups, cold water therapy, football sessions, arts and crafts sessions and music and DJ-ing activities. Many of the people who attend the group credit it with saving their lives.

Arts and Culture (sponsored by Renfrewshire Council)

Winner: Diane Mitchell

Brought up playing piano from a young age, Diane has always been passionate about music. Since launching her own music school in 2015, Diane has built a programme of community music programmes and workshops that highlight her belief that everyone can benefit from learning music - regardless of age, race, gender, or background. One of her most popular community activities is the Music Café where older people who are lonely or isolated can come together to make music and socialise with each other in a warm and welcoming space.

Community Volunteer (sponsored by Glasgow Airport Ltd)

Winner: Suzanne Stevenson

Suzanne is the founder of Wedding Wish Makers - a non-profit organisations that organises and funds weddings for couples where one partner has had a terminal diagnosis. Suzanne was inspired to set up the charity after helping a couple with catering for their wedding in 2011 and realising there were no other charities in Scotland that offered this support. Since officially launching in 2020, Suzanne and the team at Wedding Wish Makers have helped 16 couples plan and fund their weddings. Alongside her job as a Wedding Coordinator, Suzanne spends hours of her own time finding and organising suppliers across Scotland to enable the couples she is supporting to have the day of their dreams.

Employee of the Year (sponsored by UNISON Renfrewshire)

Winner: Kirsteen Jamieson

Kirsteen works for Renfrewshire Council's Adult and Family Learning service, delivering learner-centred, lifelong and accessible training to people across Renfrewshire. Kirsteen, who was formally a learner herself, is truly passionate about her job and loves nothing more than seeing people progress and achieve things they would never have dreamed possible. Her colleagues credit her exceptional work ethic and say there is no limit to the amount of support she gives to their learners.

Carers Award (donated by former Provost Nancy Allison)

Winner: Lesley Compston

Lesley is one of the founders of KLAS Care in Linwood, offering flexible and affordable childcare during term time and school holidays. KLAS Care launched in 2010 with 6 children and now provides regular care to nearly 300 children in Linwood and Johnstone across breakfast clubs, after school care clubs and playschemes throughout the school holidays. Lesley also takes on a caring role for her father, and previously for her mother who sadly passed away from Alzheimer's in 2022. Lesley takes her inspiration and caring nature from her mum, who was heavily involved in the Linwood community throughout her life.

2023 award sponsors

The Community Group award is sponsored by City Gate Construction and celebrates the organisations in Renfrewshire that have a positive effect on their communities.

Sponsored by Glasgow Airport, the Community Volunteer award recognises those who give their time and effort for nothing more than the knowledge that they are making a difference to their community.

Perennial award sponsor Acre Industrial will present the Sports Award which recognises individuals or groups who have achieved success in competition as a competitor or a coach, or have used sport as a tool for health and wellbeing.

Former Renfrewshire Provost Nancy Allison donated the Carers Award which recognises anyone who cares for a relative, friend or neighbour.

Employee of the Year is sponsored by UNISON and encourages nominations for employees who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for their employer.

The Arts and Culture award has been created, sponsored by Renfrewshire Council, which seeks out the hidden, or not so hidden, gems who light up Renfrewshire's cultural scene.