Ian McInnes Award

ian mcinnes award

Celebrating equality, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and representation in volunteering

Lord Provost Ian McInnes Award for Inclusion and Diversity

The Lord Provost Ian McInnes Award for Inclusion and Diversity celebrates a volunteer-involving organisation or individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to promoting equality, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and representation in volunteering.

Presented in memory of Ian McInnes (1969 to 2017), the award honours those who champion fairness, remove barriers to participation, and actively create safe, welcoming, and empowering spaces where everyone, regardless of background, identity, or circumstance can contribute, belong, and thrive.

Who is eligible for the award?

This award category is open to anyone...
You may want to nominate your own project or an organisation that has inspired you to work differently
You may want to nominate a member of your staff that has helped bring about positive change; or
You may want to nominate your Volunteer Manager

We really are inviting nominations from anyone for anyone, and this is your opportunity to tell us how someone has helped change lives through supporting you, or others, to volunteer.

Ian’s family and Volunteer Edinburgh very much hope that the Ian McInnes Award will encourage organisations to think about developing roles for volunteers no matter what issues those volunteers face.

A Quote from Ian

I want councillors, politicians and people in power who can make a difference, to see the difference volunteering has made to my life and others like me and to acknowledge the part many organisations have played in this. If I can repeat the message enough times, maybe I will get them to sit up and pay attention and achieve something worth shouting about.

Ian McInnes

Café Connect Project at Eric Liddell Community received the Ian McInnes award at the City chambers this year in recognition of their very real and important commitment to the values of this award.

Ian’s family and Volunteer Edinburgh very much hope that the Ian McInnes Award will encourage other individuals and organisations to think the same way and encourage roles for volunteers no matter what issues those volunteers have. As Ian would have said, “just go for it” as you never know what positive experiences it might lead to for both the organisation and the volunteer!

Recipients of the Ian McInnes Award

Award	Organisation	Date	Photo	Website
	Citizens Advice Edinburgh (CAE)	06 June 2018	view photo	Citizens Advice Edinburgh (CAE)
	CAPS Independent Advocacy	05 June 2019	view photo	CAPS Independent Advocacy
	Held in Our Hearts	01 September 2021	view photo	Held in Our Hearts
	Citadel Youth Centre	01 June 2022	view photo	Citadel Youth Centre
	Lothian Bi-Polar Self-Help Group	07 June 2023	view photo	Lothian Bi-Polar Self-Help Group
	Calton Welfare Services	04 June 2024	view photo	Calton Welfare Services
	Café Connect Project at Eric Liddell Community	02 June 2025	view photo	Café Connect Project at Eric Liddell Community
	LCiL Lived Experience Volunteers at Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living	02 June 2026	coming soon	LCiL Lived Experience Volunteers at Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living

In June 2020, for obvious reasons and to our great disappointment, we were not able to host our annual Inspiring Volunteer Awards. For this reason there was no Lord Provost Ian McInnes Award for Inclusion and Diversity awarded for 2020.

Volunteer Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards in partnership with the Office of the Lord Provost and the City of Edinburgh Council.

For more information please contact Jason McCann at Volunteer Edinburgh by calling 07587 034 535 or email events@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk.

Family Befriender	Adult Supportive Transport Driver	Activity Buddy	Lothians Perinatal Befriender	Volunteer Driver
Are you someone who believes in the power of listening and connection? Join us as a Family Befriender at Home Link Family Support, where your support can make a world of difference to families with young children.	The Supportive Transport Service is a key part of what we offer. It provides transportation to individuals living with or affected by HIV and/or Hepatitis C, helping them meet medical, social care, and daily needs. This might include transport to medical appointments, community activities, or essential errands like grocery shopping. Many Service Users face barriers to traveling independently due to factors such as limited mobility, social anxiety, or financial constraints. In addition to transportation, our drivers often provide a supportive presence by listening or helping individuals reflect on information shared during appointments.	The role of the Activity Buddy is to provide practical support and reduce isolation. The people we work with can find it hard to attend appointments and leisure activities due to poor physical/mental health, limited mobility, social anxiety or literacy issues. When illness, mobility, or side-effects of medication make housework or going out difficult, we offer support to make the home environment more comfortable. Volunteers play a vital part in improving service users’ physical health, mental well-being and quality of life through supportive relationships, community connection, creating pathways for personal growth and collaborative goal setting.	Parents of babies who have received care in hospital from the neonatal team can experience perinatal mental health issues and feelings of isolation.A befriender can provide emotional support to help build positive relationships between parents and their baby and improve parents’ mental health. Accessing activities in the community, going for a walk, or talking over a cuppa are some of the ways in which a Befriender can make a real difference for parents and their babies.	The Open Door Edinburgh provides support to older people, those living with dementia, poor health or mobility and those who care for them.To provide safe transport for vulnerable older people, as part of the day services staff team and drive The Open Door’s vehicle as required.
https://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/find-opportunities/online-support-pre-school-children-and-families-15161/	https://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/find-opportunities/supportive-driver-volunteer-1/	https://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/find-opportunities/home-support-service-1/	https://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/find-opportunities/lothians-perinatal-befriender-16432/	https://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/find-opportunities/volunteer-electric-vehicle-driver-17663/

Family Befriender

Adult Supportive Transport Driver

Activity Buddy

Lothians Perinatal Befriender

Volunteer Driver

Are you someone who believes in the power of listening and connection? Join us as a Family Befriender at Home Link Family Support, where your support can make a world of difference to families with young children.

The Supportive Transport Service is a key part of what we offer. It provides transportation to individuals living with or affected by HIV and/or Hepatitis C, helping them meet medical, social care, and daily needs. This might include transport to medical appointments, community activities, or essential errands like grocery shopping. Many Service Users face barriers to traveling independently due to factors such as limited mobility, social anxiety, or financial constraints. In addition to transportation, our drivers often provide a supportive presence by listening or helping individuals reflect on information shared during appointments.

The role of the Activity Buddy is to provide practical support and reduce isolation. The people we work with can find it hard to attend appointments and leisure activities due to poor physical/mental health, limited mobility, social anxiety or literacy issues. When illness, mobility, or side-effects of medication make housework or going out difficult, we offer support to make the home environment more comfortable. Volunteers play a vital part in improving service users’ physical health, mental well-being and quality of life through supportive relationships, community connection, creating pathways for personal growth and collaborative goal setting.

Parents of babies who have received care in hospital from the neonatal team can experience perinatal mental health issues and feelings of isolation.A befriender can provide emotional support to help build positive relationships between parents and their baby and improve parents’ mental health. Accessing activities in the community, going for a walk, or talking over a cuppa are some of the ways in which a Befriender can make a real difference for parents and their babies.

The Open Door Edinburgh provides support to older people, those living with dementia, poor health or mobility and those who care for them.To provide safe transport for vulnerable older people, as part of the day services staff team and drive The Open Door’s vehicle as required.

https://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/find-opportunities/online-support-pre-school-children-and-families-15161/

https://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/find-opportunities/supportive-driver-volunteer-1/

https://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/find-opportunities/home-support-service-1/

https://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/find-opportunities/lothians-perinatal-befriender-16432/

https://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/find-opportunities/volunteer-electric-vehicle-driver-17663/

Entries
Link to Single Entry	Name	Summary
	Andrew Jackson	Experienced hands-on farm and land work volunteer, plus Google Ads tracking, data analysis and website management. Just moved to Edinburgh from the US!
	Mojtaba (Moji) SedaghatKerdar	Web designer and SEO specialist in Musselburgh. Website builds, updates, local search and social media. WordPress, Wix, Squarespace and other platforms.
	Lauren Gilmour	Jill of all trades former journalist with experience across PR, communications, marketing, social media, photography and volunteer recruitment.
	Alastair Dunn	Able to help with outdoor or indoor tidying and clearance on an occasional basis (as not always in Edinburgh).
	Stewart Dee	Experienced Civil Service Manager looking to use my management and governance experience as a Board Trustee.
	Declan Chambers	IT professional offering tech, data and Infrastructure support, plus teaching and creative skills. Available Mon-Sun, 10am-8pm.
	Sam Clark	Experienced administrative professional offering organisational, data and records management support to charities needing reliable, detail focused help.
	Alastair Logan	Self taught Python and AI developer offering NLP, data, cloud and automation skills to help charities solve problems and work more efficiently.
	Stephanie Alcazar	Available Tuesdays–Wednesdays to support with social media management and training, as well as deliver illustration workshops.
	Jake Whittet	Edinburgh Microsoft 365 security specialist offering free cyber security assessments. Plain English reports, no jargon.
	Samantha Towers	Hello, I'm an experienced joiner, plasterer and painter.
	Thomas Quiroga	Helping charities use AI and low-cost technology to automate admin, improve processes, save time and focus more on supporting their communities.
	Scott Croucher	I’m an experienced chef with over 4 years experience.
	Joshua Stokes	Experienced professional in Data Protection, Records Management and all things considered Information Governance.
	Douglas McEachan	Well-travelled retiree can offer friendly and informal scenic travel slide shows.
	Sophie Jones	Karate coach with 10 years of experience and looking to inspire other people to become karateka (karate kids).
	Declan Gates	French Tutoring
	Valerii Kostikov	Experienced gynaecologist-oncologist (18+ years). Kind, reliable, compassionate and patient-focused. Keen to support people and gain UK healthcare experience.
	Sarah Cleary	Do you have a regular need for someone to sort jigsaw puzzles, bits and bobs (for example sewing beads) that need tidied or organised and sorted by size?
	Dr Donald Glass	Retired University Lecturer offering volunteering time to support visitor experiences at one of Edinburgh's museums.
	ABDUALSME	Experienced barber- qualified for three years.
	BILL KEIL	anything considered
	IAN JACKSON	Team of 10 people available for one day volunteering opportunity. Flexible on what this would entail.
	Izunna Agupusi	I am an Embedded AI Engineer with Raygonal Ltd, Edinburgh, holding an MSc in Artificial Intelligence. I specialise in embedded systems, early career in IT
	Laura McGlennon	As a qualified Yoga & MeditationTeacher I can offer classes teaching children, teenagers and adults. Available Monday to Friday mornings and afternoon
	Rapinder	Pianist, classically trained to above average level.
	Aoife	Passionate volunteer supporting community projects through event help, outreach, and content creation to promote inclusion and positive change.
	Nicole Carter	Qualified Nutrition Adviser who specialises in Eating Well For Good Mental Health free sessions.
	Reuben Nishan Christmas	An engineering degree holder offering to help with STEM tutoring. Also, looking to help out in any capacity related to food/cooking/baking.
	ola amroush	I recently graduated with a degree in Business Management from Edinburgh Napier University. I’ve found it challenging to secure a role in my field
Link to Single Entry	Name	Summary

Link to Single Entry

Name

Summary

Andrew Jackson

Experienced hands-on farm and land work volunteer, plus Google Ads tracking, data analysis and website management. Just moved to Edinburgh from the US!

Mojtaba (Moji) SedaghatKerdar

Web designer and SEO specialist in Musselburgh. Website builds, updates, local search and social media. WordPress, Wix, Squarespace and other platforms.

Lauren Gilmour

Jill of all trades former journalist with experience across PR, communications, marketing, social media, photography and volunteer recruitment.

Alastair Dunn

Able to help with outdoor or indoor tidying and clearance on an occasional basis (as not always in Edinburgh).

Stewart Dee

Experienced Civil Service Manager looking to use my management and governance experience as a Board Trustee.

Declan Chambers

IT professional offering tech, data and Infrastructure support, plus teaching and creative skills. Available Mon-Sun, 10am-8pm.

Sam Clark

Experienced administrative professional offering organisational, data and records management support to charities needing reliable, detail focused help.

Alastair Logan

Self taught Python and AI developer offering NLP, data, cloud and automation skills to help charities solve problems and work more efficiently.

Stephanie Alcazar

Available Tuesdays–Wednesdays to support with social media management and training, as well as deliver illustration workshops.

Jake Whittet

Edinburgh Microsoft 365 security specialist offering free cyber security assessments. Plain English reports, no jargon.

Samantha Towers

Hello, I'm an experienced joiner, plasterer and painter.

Thomas Quiroga

Helping charities use AI and low-cost technology to automate admin, improve processes, save time and focus more on supporting their communities.

Scott Croucher

I’m an experienced chef with over 4 years experience.

Joshua Stokes

Experienced professional in Data Protection, Records Management and all things considered Information Governance.

Douglas McEachan

Well-travelled retiree can offer friendly and informal scenic travel slide shows.

Sophie Jones

Karate coach with 10 years of experience and looking to inspire other people to become karateka (karate kids).

Declan Gates

French Tutoring

Valerii Kostikov

Experienced gynaecologist-oncologist (18+ years). Kind, reliable, compassionate and patient-focused. Keen to support people and gain UK healthcare experience.

Sarah Cleary

Do you have a regular need for someone to sort jigsaw puzzles, bits and bobs (for example sewing beads) that need tidied or organised and sorted by size?

Dr Donald Glass

Retired University Lecturer offering volunteering time to support visitor experiences at one of Edinburgh's museums.

ABDUALSME

Experienced barber- qualified for three years.

BILL KEIL

anything considered

IAN JACKSON

Team of 10 people available for one day volunteering opportunity. Flexible on what this would entail.

Izunna Agupusi

I am an Embedded AI Engineer with Raygonal Ltd, Edinburgh, holding an MSc in Artificial Intelligence. I specialise in embedded systems, early career in IT

Laura McGlennon

As a qualified Yoga & MeditationTeacher I can offer classes teaching children, teenagers and adults.
Available Monday to Friday mornings and afternoon

Rapinder

Pianist, classically trained to above average level.

Aoife

Passionate volunteer supporting community projects through event help, outreach, and content creation to promote inclusion and positive change.

Nicole Carter

Qualified Nutrition Adviser who specialises in Eating Well For Good Mental Health free sessions.

Reuben Nishan Christmas

An engineering degree holder offering to help with STEM tutoring.
Also, looking to help out in any capacity related to food/cooking/baking.

ola amroush

I recently graduated with a degree in Business Management from Edinburgh Napier University. I’ve found it challenging to secure a role in my field