{"id":155653,"date":"2025-06-03T20:10:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T20:10:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/155653\/"},"modified":"2025-06-03T20:10:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T20:10:12","slug":"daryl-becomes-young-volunteer-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/155653\/","title":{"rendered":"Daryl becomes young volunteer of the year"},"content":{"rendered":"

Daryl Stewart (23), a long-standing volunteer with sight loss charity RNIB Scotland, has been awarded the Special Recognition Award for Young Volunteer of the Year at the 2025 Inspiring Volunteer Awards, run by Volunteer Edinburgh.<\/p>\n

The award ceremony, which took place on Monday at the City Chambers, marked the beginning of Volunteers\u2019 Week \u2013 a national celebration of the vital role that volunteers play across the UK.<\/p>\n

Daryl received his award from The Rt Hon. Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to supporting blind and partially sighted people in Scotland.<\/p>\n

Daryl, who has a cerebral visual impairment, first became involved with RNIB Scotland at the age of 14 when he joined the charity\u2019s youth forum. At the time, he felt isolated at his mainstream school. RNIB\u2019s youth group offered a transformative space where Daryl made friends and found his community.<\/p>\n

Since then, he has grown from a participant into a key figure in RNIB Scotland\u2019s volunteer network. He began volunteering at 16 and has since supported a wide range of groups and activities, from youth sessions to craft groups, walking clubs, and tandem cycling.<\/p>\n

This year, however, has seen Daryl step confidently into a leadership role, making his contribution more impactful than ever.<\/p>\n

Over the past 12 months, Daryl has taken on new responsibilities, moving beyond support to organising and leading multiple RNIB groups and activities across Edinburgh. He now independently plans and runs sessions, offering guidance, encouragement, and a warm welcome to participants of all ages.<\/p>\n

In addition, Daryl delivers Visual Awareness training to RNIB Scotland\u2019s partner organisations, equipping staff and volunteers with the knowledge and confidence to better support blind and partially sighted people in their own services.<\/p>\n

He has also played a key role in the reopening of RNIB Scotland\u2019s community caf\u00e9 this year at their Edinburgh office, where he regularly volunteers by greeting visitors, giving tours of the newly refurbished space, and serving refreshments with professionalism and kindness.<\/p>\n

Daryl\u2019s commitment has had a measurable and lasting impact. as follows:\u00a0<\/p>\n