TWO volunteers supporting people with sensory impairments from across the Forth Valley have been recognised for their efforts at an awards ceremony.

Matt Davies and Stephen Smith were named as finalists at Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise's (SVE) Inspire Volunteering Awards.

Both volunteer with Forth Valley Sensory Centre (FVSC), which offers support, advice, practical help and social opportunities to people with sight and hearing loss in central Scotland.

Matt, 57, spends three days a week at the centre to help people with IT and accessible technology.

He was given the Health and Wellbeing Award, sponsored by the NHS, at a recent Albert Halls ceremony in Stirling.

Matt has macular degeneration and is interested in using technology to make the lives of people with sight loss easier.

He visits centre users' homes to fix voice-controlled heating systems and explores other ways they can use smart technology.

Matt also helps out with the Macular Group, which is run by the Macular Society and hosted at FVSC.

Furthermore, he also offers emotional support to other people with macular degeneration.

Stephen, who is blind, was a finalist in the Climate Action and Nature category of the awards for his work on several environmental projects.

The 46-year-old attends FVSC almost every day and volunteers in the centre's kitchen garden which provides fruit and vegetables for use in the enterprise café.

Stephen has been a centre user for many years and his involvement led to him becoming a volunteer.

Hannah Wilson, volunteer co-ordinator at Forth Valley Sensory Centre, said: "We are over the moon that Matt and Stephen were recognised in this way.

"All of our volunteers work tirelessly and we're incredibly pleased to see their efforts and dedication being acknowledged.

"Matt was a deserving winner of the Health and Wellbeing Award and it was wonderful to see Stephen named as a finalist in two other categories.

"The event itself was a great night – everyone had a brilliant time."