We are delighted to share that SDF has won two awards at this year’s Highland Third Sector Interface (HTSI) Awards.
Our National Traineeship received the ‘Reducing Vulnerability Award’ for its role in creating life-changing opportunities for people with lived and living experience of substance use. Since its launch in Highland in 2019, supported by the Highland Alcohol and Drug Partnership, 13 traineeships have been offered, with 11 of these trainees moving into employment.
Chris Messenger, Programme Manager of the National Traineeship at SDF, said:
“We are delighted that SDF’s National Traineeship has been recognised with this award for reducing vulnerability in Highland through the Third Sector Interface Awards. Since 2019, with support from the Highland Alcohol and Drug Partnership, we have offered 13 traineeships to people with lived and living experience of substance use, 11 of whom have moved into employment. First established in Glasgow over 20 years ago, the Traineeship has now been successfully replicated in Highland and is recognised as an essential employment pathway into the alcohol and drug workforce for people with lived and living experience. This benefits not only the individuals who take part but also strengthens the local workforce and brings lasting value to the wider community. We are extremely grateful to Highland Third Sector Interface and to our local partners for their support, and we look forward to continuing to create opportunities and support positive futures for trainees.”
We are also thrilled to celebrate Peer Research Volunteer Vikki Cowie, who was named ‘Volunteer of the Year 2025’.
This award recognises volunteers who inspire through extraordinary dedication, impact and commitment. Vikki’s work with us in the peer research team at SDF has been driven by her passion and the generous time she has given to support it has been so appreciated by the team. Through her role as a Peer Research Volunteer, she has helped ensure the voices of people with lived and living experience are heard, respected and acted upon.
Hannah Sinclair, Development Officer in the Peer Research Team, said:
“Vikki’s contribution has been transformational. She has been dedicated since the moment she started with us at the beginning of 2024. She has helped shape our work in ways that have made a real difference. She has consistently provided a compassionate, listening ear and contributed in any way she can. We are so proud to see her recognised with this award – it is hugely deserved.”
We thank Vikki not just for what she does, but for how she does it, with kindness, respect and an unwavering commitment to ensuring her peers’ voices in the community are heard and valued. She is a true representation of how peer support works at its best, sharing lived experience, empathy and understanding to connect with others and create change.
Well done to all who won awards this year!
To find out more about the HTSI Awards and this year’s winners, visit: https://www.highlandtsi.org.uk/awards