WATCH: 'It's all about the hoodies' says double winning Highland youth leadership specialist
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A youth leadership specialist from Nairn was surprised to be celebrating double glory at High Life Highland's i-care Awards last night.
Leadership programme development officer Elizabeth McDonald took home the trophy in the Integrity & Accountability category as well as the crowned the Making Life Better employee of the year.
"I got the shock of my life," she said. "I was really touched with the nominations because they were necessarily from the people I work closest with. It was a huge surprise.
"I developed the leadership programme for young people across Highland for 12-25 year olds, which I've been doing for eight years. Before that, I was involved in active schools in Nairn and developed the programme there before it was rolled out.
"It's making a difference, since the beginning we've had around 6500 people signed up and young people sign up every day. It does make their lives better and changes lives.
"Young people get the opportunity to volunteer in an area they choose to volunteer in and then they get recognition. The important thing though is the hoodie – it's all about the hoodies!
"There are six different colours that they work through and they know what they mean, with hours and training attached to them. That's the motivator!"
- Dedicated Culloden teenagers win golden hoodie honour for amazing volunteer efforts
- Sign up for our free newsletter
Other awards at the event in Strathpeffer Pavilion went to:
- Community spirit: Jacob Green
- Respect: Anna Holda
- Example: Library Outreach (Central) Team
- Volunteer of the year: Brian Kerr
- Public nomination: Mark Bell
- Trading board chairman's special award: Ben Nevis Visitor Centre
- Chairman's special award: Invergordon and Alness Leisure Centres
There were also long service awards for dozens of staff who had been involved for either 20, 25, 30, 35 or 40 years.
