Every day, young people give their time, energy and enthusiasm to support charities, community groups and local organisations to help make a real difference to other people’s lives.
This is why it’s so fantastic to see the continued success of the Saltire Awards initiative in Aberdeen. Delivered by ACVO in the city on behalf of the Scottish Government, the Saltire Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of volunteers aged 11 to 25 years. The awards continue to grow and make an increasingly positive impact, with this year marking the programme’s strongest sustained performance on record.
“Figures from the Scottish Government show that the number of Saltire Awards issued has more than doubled since 2021–22, highlighting the growing culture of youth volunteering across Scotland.”
Over the past year alone:
- An amazing 34,131 hours of volunteering were logged through the Saltire Awards – a 40% increase compared to the previous year.
- A total of 4,189 young volunteers are now registered with the programme, including 558 new registrations over the past year – a 9% increase on last year.
- 973 Saltire Awards certificates were presented to young volunteers this year, representing a 33% increase compared with the previous year.
The Saltire Awards are a national programme endorsed by the Scottish Government and delivered locally by Third Sector Interfaces, with ACVO proudly coordinating the awards in Aberdeen.
Young volunteers receive certificates in recognition of completing 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 500 hours of volunteering, with each certificate signed by Scotland’s Deputy First Minister and First Minister.
The stories behind these impressive figures are just as inspiring. To further highlight the incredible contribution young volunteers make, you can discover our latest Why I Volunteer in Aberdeen feature in this edition of ACVO News – showcasing three short films with local young volunteers Katy, Marcus and Zac.
The films highlight the wide range of ways young people are giving back to their communities whilst building confidence, developing new skills and gaining valuable experience.
These stories from Katy, Marcus and Zac are a great reminder of the positive impact volunteering has on both the volunteers themselves and the people and organisations they support.
“It is fantastic to see so many young people choosing to volunteer and to see their commitment recognised through the Saltire Awards. Volunteering helps strengthen our communities, supports local organisations and creates opportunities for young people to develop valuable skills, confidence and experience.”
I would like to say a huge thank you to all the young people who take the time to volunteer in Aberdeen. Your dedication is making a real difference and we look forward to celebrating even more young volunteers in the years ahead through the Saltire Awards.
For more details about the Saltire Awards please visit volunteeraberdeen.org.uk/young-volunteers and saltireawards.scot, or contact: Mike.Melvin@acvo.org.uk
This article originally appeared in the July 2026 edition of ACVO News, our free monthly digital magazine for and from Aberdeen’s third sector. Read and subscribe for free at acvo.org.uk/acvo-news
