A KILWINNING volunteer has been honoured with an invitation to the King’s garden party.
Gillian Hart was nominated in recognition of her services to infants, children and young people and was welcomed to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh by the King and Queen.
She serves Scotland's Children’s Hearings System, and was among 28 current and former volunteers invited to the garden party on Tuesday, June 30.
Gillian said: "Being recognised for my volunteer role means a great deal to me, and being invited to the King’s Garden Party is an honour I’m proud to share with everyone at Children’s Hearings Scotland.
"Our work is vital – giving vulnerable children a voice, protecting their wellbeing, and helping shape safer, more secure futures.
"This recognition reflects the importance of the work we do and the commitment that myself and other Panel Members across Ayrshire bring to it every day."
Children’s hearings are legal meetings held when there are concerns about a child’s care or wellbeing.
Each hearing is decided by a panel of three trained volunteers who put the child’s interests at the centre of every decision.
Across Scotland, more than 2,100 volunteers take part in over 20,000 hearings each year.
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 today."
