A West Lothian based charity scooped the prestigious prize at the Scottish Charity Awards 2022
S.M.I.L.E Counselling, won the Scottish Charity of the Year Award 2022 at the annual event, run by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), that celebrates the very best of the Scottish charitable sector
S.M.I.L.E Counselling provide free counselling for age 11 - 24 year olds in West Lothian helping with their mental health and wellbeing. The award also came on the day that they celebrated their 7th birthday, reached their 1,000th client to receive support and reached 7,000 one to one counselling sessions offered.
Commenting on the win, Declan Harrigan, Founder and CEO said:
"We were shocked and overwhelmed to win Scottish Charity of the Year 2022. We graciously accept the award not only on behalf of our staff, volunteers, and trustees but on behalf of all our clients, students and participants who all encompass S.M.I.L.E services.
"This award, to us, indicates a recognition of the truly demanding but rewarding work we are involved in. Recognising our amazing team and their willingness to go that extra mile to do what is needed for their clients.
"Our vision has always been to replicate what we have done in West Lothian over the last seven years in other counties and this will be part of our future plans. No child should be left behind or without support, if this award shines a brighter light on the need for additional services for mental health in children services, then this can only be positive."
S.M.I.L.E Counselling were not the only West Lothian Charity up for the prestigious award. The Larder were also finalists. It's quite amazing to have two West Lothian charities in the final.
