High Life Highland Celebrates Staff and Volunteers at i-care Awards

High Life Highland will honor its dedicated staff and volunteers during the i-care awards ceremony at the Strathpeffer Pavilion on October 29, 2023. This special event aims to recognize the significant contributions made across various services, including sport, leisure, libraries, and music development.

The prestigious people’s choice award, sponsored by Stagecoach, will be presented to one of three finalists selected from over 200 nominees. The contenders for this award are the High Life Highland Music Team, Steve Jones, a gym instructor at Tain and Golspie Leisure Centres, and Alan Gray, the Active Schools co-ordinator for Ardnamurchan.

In addition to the people’s choice award, the event will also celebrate emerging talent through the inspiring young leader award, also sponsored by Stagecoach. Finalists in this category are Alyssa Tolmie and Harry MacLeod from Inverness, along with Scott MacKay from Smithton. Their commitment to leadership in their respective communities has set them apart.

The star volunteer of the year award, sponsored by Askews and Holts Library Services, includes nominees such as Kevin Williamson, a football coach from Inverness, basketball coach Bryan Stevens, also from Inverness, and Gayle MacRae from Golspie, who actively supports various sporting initiatives in her area.

Alan Gray stands out again as a finalist for the outstanding employee of the year award, sponsored by Aqua Leisure. He is joined by Joshua Brannan, a leisure supervisor and coach at Aviemore Community Centre, and Pam Allan, who manages the High Life Highland Torrin Bunkhouse on Skye. Their nominations highlight the exceptional service provided by staff throughout the organization.

The high performing team of the year category, sponsored by Zoggs, features the Green Libraries team, the High Life Training Academy, and the Schools Out Programme Launch team. Their collective efforts drive innovation and engagement within the community.

Michael Golding, chairman of the High Life Highland board, emphasized the importance of the i-care awards, stating, “These awards are incredibly important to recognize the often unseen work that takes place throughout the year. I would like to congratulate all of our staff and volunteers who have been nominated for an award and particularly those individuals and teams that have made the shortlist. All of them are continually striving to make life better for the people of the Highlands.”

The winners of each category will be announced on October 29, 2023. This annual event, supported by headline sponsors including Macgregor Industrial Supplies, Mather & Co, Gladstone, Morrison Construction, and Technogym, promises to be a heartfelt celebration of community spirit and dedication.