FRIDAY, 24 DECEMBER 2025

Photographs attached: 1 – Toluwalashe Oladokun 2 – Fareedah Olaniyan 3 – Avril Lai 4 – Olivia King

Young people recognised for over 400 hours of volunteering with NHS Tayside

Thirteen NHS Tayside volunteers have been presented with a national award which recognises the commitment and contribution of young people in volunteering.

The Saltire Award is open to volunteers aged between 16 and 25 who can sign up to record their hours and learning gained through volunteering placements and claim certificates for key milestones.

Saltire Award certificates were presented to the following volunteers for their efforts in NHS Tayside:

50 hours

Thaveesa Dayaratne, Ward 16, Ninewells

25 hours

Madeeha Ahmed, Ward 26, Ninewells

Avril Lai, Ward 26, Ninewells

10 Hours

Yageen Ahmed, Ward 1, Ninewells

Shindara Edalere, Ward 3, Ninewells

Meerab Fatima, Ward 3, Ninewells

Patrick Marshall, Ward 16, Ninewells

Fiona Okeke, Ward 4, Ninewells

Toluwalashe Oladokun, Ward 16, Ninewells

Fareedah Olaniyan, Ward 1, Ninewells

Libby Reith, Crieff Community Hospital

Megan Fletcher, Crieff Community Hospital

Olivia King, MoveAhead, Murray Royal Hospital

Avril Lai has racked up an incredible 25 hours of volunteering in ward 26 at Ninewells. She said, “Volunteering has increased my confidence to do things on my own. It is a privilege to talk to patients and hear their stories. Overall, volunteering has been a great experience.”

Olivia King volunteers with MoveAhead at Murray Royal Hospital. She said, “My experience as a MoveAhead community connector volunteer at the Murray Royal Health Hub has been so valuable. I’ve been able to put my studies in mental health into practice, improve my interpersonal skills and learn more about different career paths. It’s also been great to get involved with a lovely community of volunteers."

Ninewells ward 1 volunteer Fareedah Olaniyan said, “I believe the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in people services and volunteering has provided this opportunity”.

Toluwalashe Oladokun, who volunteers in ward 16 Ninewells Hospital, said “The Saltire Award is a great recognition of my time spent volunteering.”

Volunteer services manager Val Ewan added, “We are very fortunate these young people choose to give up their time and volunteer for NHS Tayside. Saltire Awards offer a great recognition of the contributions young people make to our organisation. Volunteers tell us the difference the opportunity makes to them in terms of increasing their confidence as well as providing an insight into what it is like to be in a clinical environment.

“Well done to them all and we look forward to recognising their next milestone award soon.”

Contact:

Cara Longmuir

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740720