Springhill Community Garden seeks to provide a space which includes growing opportunities for food and beauty, as well as supporting wildlife. Raised beds are available for individuals to grow food for themselves, as well as communal beds for growing larger crops such as potatoes and beans. Through community links with local schools, youth groups and businesses, the garden seeks to promote a sense of community working together to build something for others. We are looking to create a community of gardeners - no experience necessary. As well as growing your own food, the garden presents an opportunity to develop educational workshops and social events, cultivate wildlife, and engage with other community groups in the area. A fantastic opportunity to help in a wonderful Community Garden. For more information please contact Pamela McEwan, Committee Member at email: springhillcommunity@gardener.com or telephone: 07842 261037.

Eglinton Demonstration Community Food Gaden will provide a range of therapeutic activities for community use and will directly support a number of client groups such as learning disabilities, mental health, ex-offenders, older people, veterans and people experiencing drug and alcohol problems. it will provide all members of the community with learning opportunities related to gardening, growing food and cooking. It will enable individuals to learn new skills, tools and coping mechanisms and promote positive changes in health diet and lifestyle.

"Large area of land needs cleared and made ready for planting for next year for use by both the school pupils and local families. Volunteers are required intially for 1 - 2 hours each week on a Tuesday afternoon from 2 - 4pm. They will be required to help with clearing the ground and raised beds to enable them to be refilled when ready. Funding applications are hopefully being put in place by the school to allow for new fencing around a huge polytunnel which needs recovered. Once money has been granted we may well need help covering the polytunnel and once complete to help with filling out beds and sowing seeds to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables. This area will require regular maintenance. A basic knowledge of plant care and use of gardening tools would be beneficial but not essential. Volunteers may be required to work in a group and alongside other community organisations as well as the school who will assist from time to time. Tools will be provided but if volunteers have their own that is great."

Youth Panel Volunteer Do you care about your local wildlife and want to inspire others to take action? We’re looking for young people aged 16-25 from across the Species on the Edge project areas to join our Leading Edge Youth Panel. With your creativity and innovative voice, you’ll work alongside the wider Species on the Edge team to drive forward our engagement work across the programme. Why we want your help? Species on the Edge is a partnership of NatureScot and seven conservation charities dedicated to improving the future of 37 of the rarest and most threatened species on Scotland’s coasts and islands. We know we can’t do this alone, and people are the heart of this programme. We want to include everyone in the fight to save nature and we need the knowledge, experiences, and innovation that the youth voice can bring. How can you help us? You’ll meet the other panel members through virtual online meetings, with a chance to join a spring residential. You’ll be supported in the development of your own local projects to help more young people to connect to nature. The skills we need: • An interest in Scotland wildlife. • Good listening and communication skills. • Commitment to support the needs of diverse communities and a commitment to equality of opportunity. • Willingness to learn new skills. • Commitment to join at least 4 virtual meetings a year and a spring residential, dates to be planned with the panel members. • Commitment to planning your own connection to nature project, with budget and staff support from the Species on the Edge team. What will you gain from this experience? This role offers a fantastic opportunity to develop your volunteering in the conservation sector. This role offers you: • Chance to meet new people and learn from people’s expertise within the conservation sector. • Opportunity to develop your own project to support other young people to connect with nature. • Opportunities for training to support your personal development. The programme will cover all travel, accommodation and reasonable expenses associated with the Leading Edge Youth Panel. The programme seeks to remove barriers to participation, and you are encouraged to inform us of any additional requirements when you apply.