Volunteers honoured at King's Garden Party
Twenty-eight current and former CHS volunteers from across Scotland have been honoured as guests at the King’s Garden Party in Edinburgh.
The volunteers were welcomed to the Palace of Holyroodhouse by the King and Queen, having been nominated in recognition of their services to infants, children and young people. They included current and former Panel Members, who make decisions at children’s hearings, and Panel Practice Advisers, who support quality assurance for hearings.
CHS hosted a reception before the Garden Party, for volunteers and their ‘plus ones’ to meet up and enjoy a lunch together.
'Banter' with the King
Lesley Walker, a Panel Member in Tayside, said: 'It was such a happy, warm experience and yes we met the King! He came across to speak to some Ukrainian guests standing next to us, and as he left, the King had some good banter with my husband Tony about photographic skills. It was the highlight in a very special day.
‘Though, like other Panel Members, I don't look for recognition it was good to have acknowledgement of what it means to be a Panel Member and the important decisions made by us about the lives of children and young people.’
Lesley and Tony Walker
'Incredibly proud'
Elliot Jackson, National Convener of Children’s Hearings Scotland, said: ‘I am incredibly proud of the volunteers who make decisions in the interests of Scotland’s children and uphold their rights within our welfare-based hearings system.
‘It’s wonderful to see so many of our volunteers from across the country honoured, and for us to come together for this special occasion, in recognition of the work they do to bring about positive outcomes for children and families.’
