A dedicated adviser who has served the Coatbridge community for two decades has been named as volunteer of the year at a national awards ceremony.
Nan Fotheringham won her category at the prestigious Scottish charity awards, impressing judges with her valued work for the town’s Coatbridge citizens’ advice bureau.
The 80-year-old provides a wide range of assistance to clients at the bureau on Ellis Street, taking on social policy issues and often being specifically sought out for her help.
She called the award – presented at a ceremony in Glasgow hosted by broadcaster Sally Magnusson – a “fantastic experience and honour”.
Nan said: “I’m delighted to accept this, and obviously surprised given the high calibre of finalists representing charities across Scotland; I love my volunteering role and it gives me as much satisfaction as I hope I give to the clients I support.
“I accept it on behalf of my fellow volunteers in Coatbridge and in citizens’ advice bureaux, and I hope this recognition benefits the network as well as Coatbridge.”
She previously told Lanarkshire Live: “There’s a great team atmosphere and the work is extremely rewarding – you get to change peoples’ lives and help people right here in our community.”
Marian Tobin, Coatbridge CAB manager who nominated Nan, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Nan, Coatbridge CAB and the whole CAB network across Scotland , it shows that there are people in the local community who want to make a difference in their and someone else’s life by volunteering.
"We are so lucky to have a group of volunteers like Nan who are there to help the citizens of Coatbridge and this is also replicated in other towns across Scotland. Congratulations Nan.”
Anna Fowlie, chief executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations which runs the awards, said: “We are thrilled to have been able to join together in person to celebrate the achievements of our finalists and winners, after hosting the previous two years’ ceremonies online due to the pandemic.
“This year’s finalists have all demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and commitment to their communities and it’s a privilege to be able to celebrate their successes.
“Voluntary organisations across the country are working tirelessly every day to support the people and communities they help, and are making an incredible impact.”
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