Mikeysline and Highland Blindcraft among top Highland Third Sector Interface (HTSI) award winners at online ceremony
Staff and volunteers from two Inverness charities have been honoured at an awards ceremony to recognise those who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic.
Mikeysline, the mental health and suicide prevention charity, was named community welfare champion at the Highland Third Sector Awards 2020.
Highland BlindCraft, a charitable business providing training and employment for individuals with disabilities, won social enterprise of the year.
Both organisations were commended for the way they adapted to lockdown, ensuring they continued to play a vital part in the community.
The awards, hosted by Highland Third Sector Interface (HTSI) chief officer Mhairi Wylie, were broadcast live online on Thursday evening last week, with over 120 guests in attendance.
Emily Stokes, Mikeysline’s service manager, said: “It is great recognition for the hard work and support our volunteer staff give every evening. Through our textline we recorded three times as many contacts, supporting so many people in crisis.
“We provided a safe place to talk, be supported and listened to – and be kept alive. It is a real surprise and honour to get the award because there were so many worthy charities going the extra mile.”
Highland Blindcraft was praised for keeping employee welfare at the heart of operations during lockdown, staying in touch with 23 staff, including 19 disabled people, weekly. The business’s unique training allows employees to gain confidence, develop transferable skills and enhance health and mental wellbeing.
Executive manager Denise Clark said: “The workforce is like a close family, looking out for one another. We’re all delighted to have won this award.”
