A caring Angus businesswoman who is helping disabled youngsters find work has been hailed for her efforts in a special awards ceremony.
Doreen Walkinshaw of charity Enable Scotland was recognised at this year’s Woman Ahead Awards in Dundee for her role in setting up an Arbroath coffee shop project.
The scheme helps young people with a disability improve their employment prospects and offers a base for training and support.
Ms Walkinshaw said the rise in demand for locally-sourced produce is one of the reasons for the shop’s success.
Of her award, she added: “I am extremely proud to have won this award, which I see as recognition of the efforts of the many people who make Darlings coffee shop the success it is.
“Darlings is a young business which is already having a big impact on the coffee drinkers and ‘people who lunch’ in Angus and more importantly, on the lives of our trainees and the people who surround them.”
Following research, Ms Walkinshaw set up Darlings last year, serving locally-sourced produce. More than 60 young people have taken part in the programme so far.
Women Ahead chairwoman Wendy Maltman said: “It has been a huge pleasure to host this event and give women in business the opportunity to showcase their achievements.
“I would like to thank Dundee’s Lord Provost for coming along to be part of the evening and give his congratulations to the finalists.
“I am also grateful to our independent judges from local businesses and business education who have given freely of their time and expertise to deliberate over the applications.”
There were a record number of award applications and the dinner sold out all 270 spaces for the first year. Ms Maltman said she was overwhelmed to see such talent and interest from the business community across Dundee and Angus.
She added: “Our finalists and winners represent a wide breadth of businesses and organisations and showcase drive, determination and passion to be the best in the role that the women are undertaking.”