Leadership in action: the volunteers helping local services grow stronger

Strong volunteer services do not happen by accident. They are built and sustained by people willing to organise, improve and lead, often while continuing to serve their communities directly. Derek Watson and Fiona Neilson are two examples of volunteers whose leadership has helped shape stronger local services for others. 

Derek Watson has supported St John Scotland locally since 2000. Over the years, his contribution has included community fundraising, support for local causes, CPR training and helping to establish a renal patient transport service in 2020. That service has gone on to make a significant difference for patients and Derek’s story reflects the way long-term volunteering can evolve from supporting individual local initiatives to helping create services with lasting community value. 

In Dumfries, Fiona Neilson has played a major role in strengthening patient transport and volunteer support since joining in 2019. Starting as a volunteer driver, she quickly took on wider responsibilities and helped modernise systems, improve communication and create more efficient ways of working. Her leadership has supported both volunteers and patients, while her determination through personal setbacks and operational challenges has made her an inspiring example of resilience in practice. 

In the Highlands, Roddy Wood, Area Secretary, is being recognised for the huge amount of time he gives not only to St John Scotland but to several organisations, always working to support others in his community. 

Together, Derek, Fiona and Roddy show that volunteer leadership is often practical, determined and focused on making things work better for everyone. Rooted in service, that kind of leadership helps ensure local volunteering can continue meeting real community needs.