08-08-2025
Ayrshire children's hearings volunteers honoured at Royal Garden Party
Marjorie Blaikie, of Irvine, and Susan Burr, of Ayr, were invited to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in recognition of their services to infants, children and young people.
Two volunteers who serve in the Children's Hearings System in Ayrshire were honoured as guests of the King and Queen at the Royal Garden Party in Edinburgh.
Marjorie Blaikie, of Irvine, and Susan Burr, of Ayr, were invited to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in recognition of their services to infants, children and young people.
Ms Blaikie is a Panel Practice Advisor and Ms Burr is a Lead Panel Practice Advisor in the Children's Hearings System, supporting volunteer Panel Members who make decisions at hearings.
At a gathering with fellow volunteers from the hearings system before the garden party, Ms Blaikie said: 'I felt very honoured to be selected to attend the garden party.
'I have been involved in the Children's Hearings System at various times since the 1970s. It's great to be a volunteer in this system.'
Thirty-eight current and former volunteers in Scotland's unique Children's Hearings System were invited to the garden party.
Children's hearings are legal meetings set up because there are concerns about the wellbeing or care of an infant, child or young person.
Three Panel Members sit at each hearing, where decisions are made in the best interests of the child.
There are more than 2,000 volunteer Panel Members who sit on more than 20,000 hearings across Scotland each year.
Children's Hearings Scotland (CHS) is the public body that recruits, trains and supports Panel Members.
Lynne Harrison, Director of Tribunal Delivery at CHS, said: 'I'm so pleased to see our volunteers celebrated and recognised. 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 and see that dedication honoured.'
CHS is always keen to hear from people interested in volunteering as Panel Members and in support roles such as Panel Practice Advisors.
