Inspiring volunteer Colin honoured for his work to help others affected by sensory loss
Forth Valley Sensory Centre logo.
A deaf volunteer who gives up his time to support people across the Forth Valley who are losing their sight or hearing has been recognised for his contribution to the community.
Forth Valley Sensory Centre volunteer Colin Waterson was awarded the Inspire award at the Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise Inspire Volunteer Awards. The awards are there to recognise volunteers who inspire others through their hard work, sincerity, and how they include others in everything they do. Colin was initially nominated for the Health and Wellbeing category, but judges decided to award him the special Inspire award in recognition of his achievements and impact.
Colin with his award.
The volunteer, who is deaf, started helping at the centre in 2019 and supports around 50 people directly to improve their health and wellbeing. He is involved in different social groups, including the Stirling Visually Impaired group, helping people make connections with their local community and peers. He helps at FVSC’s Braveheart walking group, and worked one-to-one with a centre user who was housebound after a heart attack.
He also helps to raise awareness about the centre so more people can benefit from the support on offer. Colin is learning British Sign Language (BSL) so he can communicate with more members of his local community and in the centre.
FVSC has supported people with sensory loss and their families who live in central Scotland, including Stirling and Clackmannanshire, for more than 15 years. It acts as a community hub, offering support, advice, practical help, and social opportunities. The centre has around 20,000 visitors every year and is funded by a mix of statutory funding and donations. The charity was awarded £200,000 for three years from the National Lottery Community Fund to tackle isolation and loneliness caused by sensory loss, and new services will take place in community venues and hubs throughout the area to increase access and availability.
Its overall objective is to help people who have sensory loss to live as independently as possible, through activities, groups, and classes, including access to IT and tech support, cookery classes, visits and excursions, and sign and lip-reading classes. It also offers volunteering opportunities to boost their skills and confidence.
Colin Waterson"I was genuinely shocked, but also honoured, to be presented with such an important and respected award as the SVE Inspire award. But I also believe that it wouldn't have been possible without the many exciting and interesting volunteering opportunities that I am able to be involved in within the Forth Valley Sensory Centre. Being a volunteer with the centre and seeing both the work they carry out and, being involved in it, is very rewarding."
"After years of being hearing impaired, I realise how important proper support is, and seeing the difference that the centre can make to people's lives is extraordinary. Being involved with the many friendly people, both visitors and staff, also demonstrates just how important the centre is as a social hub. The Forth Valley Sensory Centre, and the work it carries out, really is a lifeline to so many people and to the community in general."
FVSC Chief Executive Jacquie Winning MBE“Colin makes a huge difference to everyone he works with and his has changed the lives of many people. People who were isolated at home are now able to come to the centre and have their social and physical needs met. Colin's hard work allows us to run a variety of groups that would not be able to go ahead without him. We couldn’t be more delighted that Colin has been recognised with this award and want to say a huge thank you to Colin for everything he does.”
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