A link worker from Orkney has been recognised as Outstanding Scottish Community Link Worker of the Year in the Scottish Community Link Worker Network Awards 2026. The judges heard that two patients, independently of each other, had said that working with Linsey Drever was “the reason I am still here”. In all, three awards were presented at the Scottish Community Link Worker Network annual conference in Edinburgh.

Speaking at the Voluntary Health Scotland-organised conference ahead of the awards, Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs said the finalists “demonstrate innovation, compassion and unwavering commitment to reducing inequality”, adding:

“This year's finals showcase that absolutely extraordinary impact that community link workers are having right across Scotland, from partnerships supporting people experiencing financial hardship, and mental health challenges; initiatives helping young people with long-term health conditions to thrive; and teams supporting thousands of people through complex health and social circumstances.”

Announcing the winner of the Outstanding Scottish Community Link Worker of the Year, Maree Aldam of Amma Birth Companions said of Linsey (left), who works for Voluntary Action Orkney:

“She's a trusted lifeline for people right across the islands, supporting people through bereavement, addiction, mental health challenges and financial hardship, often working alone across five GP practises.

“Two people who use her service completely independently of each other said the exactly the same thing about her, that she is the reason that they're still here.”

The other finalists in the category were Calum Barry from the charity Health All Round in Edinburgh, cited for ‘identifying community needs and developing practical solutions that have benefited hundreds of local people’; and Tony Channing from Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise who was recognised for his work ‘combining frontline practice with leadership to strengthen community link worker services and local partnerships’.

Partnership of the Year

Calum Barry’s work bringing together Health All Round with the support of local company Grant Westfield won the Link Worker Partnership of the Year award. The conference heard that the partnership between the third sector organisation and the company has led to the creation of ‘a flexible crisis support fund alongside clothing and Christmas support initiatives, providing rapid and compassionate assistance to people facing financial hardship and other urgent needs’.

Another finalist in the category was the ‘Peer for You’ Mental Health Support Group, a partnership between ALLIANCE link workers and Glasgow GP practices that has created ‘a welcoming peer support environment helping people reduce isolation, build confidence, strengthen coping skills and create lasting connections’.

Alongside them was Empowered to Thrive, cited for ‘supporting young people with long-term health conditions to build confidence, self-management skills and understanding of their health rights’, led by Janette Cunningham of Children’s Health Scotland alongside Cranhill Development Trust and the Edinburgh Road Medical Practice.

Team of the Year

The award for Community Link Worker Team of the Year went to Glasgow City HSCP Community Link Worker Team – recognised for their work across 80 GP practices, supporting more than 17,500 people during the past year.

Two other teams reached the final three.

The Community-Led Support Link Worker Team in Fife were recognised for their work with nearly 5,800 people each year through ‘an innovative person-centred model helping individuals navigate complex health and social challenges.

The third finalists for Team of the Year were Strathcarron Hospice and Falkirk CVS for the Blossoms Women’s Peer Support Group which provides ‘a welcoming peer-led space where women can connect, share experiences and build resilience’.

Innovation and compassion

Maree Aldam of Amma Birth Companions said she had been delighted to be involved in the judging:

“I found this whole experience really, really inspiring. I really enjoyed learning more about the impact of this work and the real impact that it has on people's lives every day.

“But it was also a challenging process, because there were some really incredibly strong entries across all three categories.

“The minister this morning talked about innovation and compassion being at the heart of this work and described the model as pioneering. And, having been involved in the judging process, I couldn't agree more with that.”

 

Read more: Community link workers now “indispensable”; Link worker profile: Small grants and big impacts; Community Link Workers reducing stress on GPs; Meet the secret weapons of GPs

Sign up to receive our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox.