Volunteer of the Year 2025

Brian Monnier, volunteer and treasurer of Dumfries and Galloway Hard of Hearing Group (DGHHG), has been named as Age Scotland’s Volunteer of the Year.  

The group’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people with hearing loss who live in the Dumfries and Galloway region, and to raise awareness of their needs throughout the wider community by offering a range of practical help, support, advice, information and training opportunities.  

Brian is described as caring, committed and “quite simply the linchpin who keeps the group viable”, providing a vital service to help people manage their hearing aids and to keep them functioning well. function of their hearing aids. 

He spotted the group’s poster advertising for volunteers by chance while waiting for a train in Lockerbie, going on to start as a Care & Maintenance Volunteer in 2015 and receiving training from Dumfries and Galloway NHS Audiology department.  

He now volunteers at three hearing aid clinics every month and is also the go-to person for covering other drop-in clinics if another regular volunteer is unable to make it. One service user said they knew that Brian “will not leave until the last person has been seen”. 

Last year he dealt with over 400 hearing aids, every one accounting for someone who hasn’t had to make the two and a half to three hour round trip that would otherwise be necessary. 

Brian also undertakes the vast majority of the home visits the group arrange every six months to housebound hard of hearing people in Annandale and Eskdale and visits the region's care homes on a quarterly basis. 

Since 2019, Brian has also been a Trustee of the group, taking on the role of Treasurer which he has now held for over six years.  

Brian said: 

“To be honest, I think I was a bit embarrassed (to win) at first, but it's come to be more important for myself and the group, and to realise what an honour it is. 

“A lot of people don't know that their hearing aids need maintaining every four to six months. Older people in Dumfries and Galloway often have to travel to Dumfries, and they like the fact that they've got help with their hearing aids virtually on the doorstep with DGHHG. 

“Home visits and care home visits help keep people in their local community. I may be the only person they have seen probably that day, maybe for a couple of days, so I think it is quite important to spend the time with them. 

“When people are so pleased that you’ve sorted out their hearing aids, it gives you all the pleasure in the world.” 

Carrie Cawkwell, Service Support Officer at DGHHG, said:  

“I’d describe Brian as caring, committed and conscientious. He’s well-liked by all the people he sees and is very supportive and a good friend to members of staff both past and present.  

“There has been significant change during the time Brian has been with the charity, and his continued presence has been of invaluable assistance to staff and trustees alike.”