East Kilbride & District Dementia Carers have been recognised at a ceremony to honour South Lanarkshire volunteers.

The VASLan awards took place on Wednesday (June 1) at Chatelherault, marking the beginning of Volunteers Week.

Group volunteers Peter Malloy and Ross McNicol accepted the award Volunteer Group of the Year award on behalf of the Dementia Carers from Lanarkshire’s new Lord Lieutenant, Mushtaq Ahmad.

East Kilbride & District Dementia Carers Group offers support to people with dementia and their carers through daycare, day opportunities, carer support groups as well as a range of social and educational events.

Based in Greenhills, the group has been recognised in the Scottish Parliament and by the care commission as providing a high quality service.

Group co-ordinator, Brian Doig, said: “The award is a real credit and testimony to the fantastic work of our volunteers and staff.”

Ian Barcroft, chairman of VASLan, announced East Kilbride & District Dementia Carers Group as the winner of the Volunteer Group of the Year 2011 award.

Mr Bancroft said: “East Kilbride & District Dementia Carers Group has 20 years experience in dementia care and is still learning, still evolving, still growing.

“Led by an amazing voluntary management committee who refuse to take as much as a penny for their dedicated efforts, it is dedicated to doing all it can to meet the increasing needs of the local community.

“They provide a unique service to an increasing number of people and have wonderful support from the local community to allow them to do it.

“East Kilbride & District Dementia Carers Group provides around 11,000 daycare hours per year to around 20 service users. They provide six places, six days per week, and have a monthly carer’s support group which covers information, education, peer support and recreation.

“Funding presents, of course, the usual challenge, and no doubt it will do in the years ahead as the management committee need to raise around £40,000 a year to supplement income… but they’ll do it, and they’ll do it because people recognise all that they give and what they offer. They will receive that money because people appreciate what is done on their behalf.”

Provost Russell Clearie was in attendance at the event.

Provost Clearie said: “Believe me ladies and gentlemen – in my job as Provost and councillor – hardly a day goes by without someone stopping me in the street or dropping me a note to let me know just what an impact the voluntary sector has on their lives or that of a loved one.

“So I would like to take this opportunity of personally thanking each and every one of you for the remarkably positive impact you have on all our lives.

“You do it because you love what you do.

“Today is your day and I am delighted to be part of that as we honour your achievements and thank all of you for everything that you do – you deserve it.”

Is there someone in your community who is a bighearted volunteer? Tell us about them!

STV East Kilbride will continue to celebrate Volunteers Week tomorrow with more inspiring winners from the town.

http://local.stv.tv/east-kilbride/news/18947-dementia-carers-are-rewarded/