Thirty-eight current and former volunteers serving the Children’s Hearings System have been honoured as guests of the King and Queen at the Royal Garden Party in Edinburgh.

The volunteers, from across all nine of the hearings system regions covering the whole of Scotland, were welcomed to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, having been nominated in recognition of their services to infants, children and young people.

The volunteers included Panel Members, who make decisions at children’s hearings, and members of Area Support Teams, which include roles such as Panel Practice Advisers, who support Panel Members.

'An experience I'll never forget'

Several volunteers had the chance to speak directly to the King and Queen at the garden party. Cilla Graudus, a Panel Member from Falkirk, in the Central region, said: ‘The sandwiches and cakes were delicious but best of all was that I got to shake hands and talk to the King and Queen: very exciting!’

Hazel O’Brien, a Panel Member from Gourock in the Inverclyde region, said: ‘I was fortunate to be presented to Queen Camilla, and to say I was excited was an understatement! A very memorable day indeed.’

Isobel Scorgie, a Panel Member from Aberdeen, in the Grampian and Northern Isles region, said speaking to the King about the Children’s Panel was ‘an experience I’ll never forget’.

'He asked what I did and I told him about the work CHS and the volunteers do with children and young people. He seemed very interested and said "thank goodness for people like you", meaning the whole community.'

Volunteers at the CHS reception before the garden party

Pre-event CHS reception

Children’s Hearings Scotland hosted a short reception before the garden party for the 38 volunteers and their guests, where they could meet up with others from their region and across Scotland.

Stewart Innes, a Panel Member and Panel Engagement Lead from Aberdeen, said: ‘It is a tremendous honour to be selected to attend. I feel that by attending I am representing the Panel Members in Grampian and the Northern Isles.

‘On a personal level am delighted to be “rewarded” for my role within Children's Hearings Scotland and I am looking forward to meeting not only fellow Panel Members from across Scotland but other worthy attendees as well.’

Lorna MacAulay, A Panel Member from the Isle of Lewis in the Highland, Moray and Eilean Siar region, said: ‘I have served as a member of the Children’s Panel in the Western Isles for 27 years and today it was a real treat to attend the King's Garden Party, with my 27-year-old son with me.

‘I hope it demonstrates that our quiet, often hidden and very sensitive volunteer work and all the many training hours Children’s Panel Members put in is valued and recognised.’

'I’m so pleased to see our volunteers celebrated and recognised today. Children’s hearings take place every day across Scotland, and our Panel Members make difficult and important decisions in the best interests of infants, children and young people. 

‘In every part of Scotland we have strong communities of volunteers supporting each other to bring about positive outcomes for children and families, and it’s been joyful for us to come together today and see that dedication honoured.’

– Lynne Harrison, Director of Tribunal Delivery at CHS

Join our volunteer community

CHS is always keen to hear from people interested in volunteering as Panel Members and in support roles such as Panel Practice Advisers (PPAs). We're recruiting PPAs across Scotland until 14 July 2025 - apply or learn more today.

Register your interest in becoming a volunteer before applications open later this year.

 

Hazel O'Brien speaking with Queen Camilla

Isobel Scorgie speaking with the King