The Marsh Trust with ASDC Volunteer awards give ASDC members a chance to show their appreciation to the volunteers who go above and beyond, generously giving their time and energy to engage new audiences and support the vision and mission of science and discovery centres and museums.
Winners were announced at the ASDC Annual Conference dinner, receiving a certificate and prize of £500. These awards are sponsored by The Marsh Trust, a charity supporting the organisations and people who are committed to social, cultural and environmental causes through grants and awards.
And the winners are...
- Marsh Trust with ASDC Volunteer of the Year Award winner: Hamish Newhouse, volunteer at Kielder Observatory and Planetarium, Northumberland
- Youth Voice Award winner: Z King, youth volunteer at Life Science Centre, Newcastle
- Highly commended: Tiernan McCracken, youth volunteer at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, N. Ireland
Award winners left to right Hamish Newhouse with his wife, Z King with David Jones from Centre for Life and Tiernan McCracken with Mark Grimley from Armagh Planetarium and Observatory:
About the winner:
Hamish began volunteering at the Observatory after his wife gifted him a stargazing experience for his birthday, and he has become an invaluable member of the team. His positive attitude and love of astronomy ripples through the team and he is regularly mentioned in guest feedback as a highlight of their visit. He is an excellent team player, covering shifts at the last minute despite the over four hour round trip he has to take to the Observatory and organising events for volunteers to come together and get to know one another. Hamish is incredibly passionate about space and astronomy, sharing his knowledge with volunteers and visitors alike and ensuring that guests are engaging with the topics in the Observatory. He helps to make astronomy accessible to all, taking the time to learn how to support visitors with additional needs and treating every visitor with the same enthusiasm, empathy and respect. Hamish has credited the Observatory with saving his life by helping him through his own mental health challenges, and he gives as much back to them as they have given him.
“Twelve months ago, if you’d said I’d be getting an Award, I wouldn’t have thought it was possible. It’s been such an honour. I’m so delighted. I would say to anyone thinking of volunteering, do it! If you love astronomy, space, late nights and coffee then definitely join our volunteer team. It is so rewarding.”
Hamish Newhouse, winner of the Marsh Trust with ASDC Volunteer of the Year Award
Winners, nominators, judges and sponsors at the award ceremony, part of the ASDC Conference dinner at The Royal Society
“This is our third year running the volunteer awards supported by The Marsh Trust, and each year we’re privileged to shine a spotlight on the heart-warming stories of the volunteers who give their time and dedication to the UK’s science and discovery centres. On behalf of the ASDC team, I’d like to say thank you to Hamish for his honesty and bravery in sharing how his role as a volunteer at Kielder Observatory saved him, inspiring others to give it a go - and find a way forward through by doing what you love.”
Shaaron Leverment, Chief Executive, ASDC
This year we introduced a new award to recognise the important role that young people can play in the future of science and technology education through these centres.
About the winner:
Z has been a volunteer at Life since 2020 when they were 11 years old. Z is autistic and has used their lived experiences to challenge and improve the practices and support available at Life for people with additional needs. Life has introduced sensory bags, containing fidget toys and supportive resources for people with sensory needs, which have been strongly influenced by Z. Z is passionate about making people with additional needs feel welcome and spoke at the ASDC Conference about how Science Centres across this country, and indeed the world, can support people with additional needs who come to visit them. Z’s confidence has grown while they have been a volunteer and their passion for making science accessible to all shines through.
“It’s been amazing working with Life and sharing my lived experience at international conferences – I’m really grateful for the opportunity to make a difference. Not only has it made it easier for my family to come to Life but also has made a difference for many other families too.”
Z King, Youth Voice Award winner 2024