Garden volunteer at Larkhall Community Garden is an exciting and unique opportunity to be part of a friendly horticulture team. The volunteer will help us maintain our Community Garden in Hareleeshill Larkhall which was previously derelict land. Volunteer will gain experience in working on raised beds, sensory garden wildlife garden and within our polytunnels. To assist in seasonal gardening tasks throughout the year that will develop as the gardens develop. Volunteers will work in supervised groups led by a line manager. Some tasks are physically demanding and require a level of manual dexterity. Volunteers will work to the Larkhall Community Growers health and safety policies and procedures. • Garden maintenance – including weeding, mulching, edging, raking, digging over, staking and tying in, pruning, dead heading, bed preparation, tidying and path maintenance. • Seasonal propagation and growing on – including seed sowing, cuttings, potting up. • Composting – turning and processing, spreading and digging in. • Bed renovation and grounds development - reinstating and installing beds, ground preparation, planting, bulb planting. • Clearing overgrown areas – keeping on top of any invasive species. • While support and training will be provided, from time to time volunteers may work independently or without one to one supervision We will provide volunteers with an induction, including health and safety procedures. Specific horticultural skills will be developed whilst on the job. This opportunity provides strong links to improved mental health; creating a positive routine, enjoying outdoor space, the opportunity to socialise, become more hands on with natures calender and see and feel the benefits of your hard work bare fruit.

Aberlour Youth Point in Elgin has received some great donations of second hand bikes for their young people...so if you have some spare time and know your way around a bike -- repairs etc., please get in touch. This is a great way to offer some practical support that will be appreciated so much by their young people.

Birch Tree Garden is a new community project offering fresh fruit and vegetables to the food poor in the community. They also provide training days for locals within the Falkirk area, which will include gardening rural skills (preparing a fleece to wool/felt), wood crafts, willow weaving, basket weaving, coppicing, wellbeing, cookery, animal husbandry, admin skills, and basic stock keeping and bookkeeping. As the organisation is new, the volunteer roles are quite informal. There are various volunteer opportunities available, such as: - Decorating - Cleaning - Gardening - Litter-picking - Erecting fencing - Building poultry housing and enclosures - Helping in the shop/café area - Animal husbandry Interested persons are asked to get in touch with Carol to discuss which role they are interested in taking on, or specific skills they have that may come in handy. Carol can be contacted by telephone at 07428 241052 or by email at info@birchtreefarmfalkirk.com

The Helix Green Team is open to all on Tuesday morning. If you are interested in some outdoor practical conservation volunteering within the Helix Park then this is the group for you. The park's staff enjoy planning, preparing and supervising these sessions with the volunteers. With all hands on dirt, we get so much more done and always see a real benefit to our mornings efforts. Plus we enjoy sharing out the delicious cakes prepared by Jason, the Visitor Centre Chef. Bring your enthusiasm, weather appropriate clothing and wear sturdy shoes. "It has brought me out of my shell as it is something I would not have considered being a part of initially as I felt it was way outside my comfort zone. In conclusion, though to be honest I have loved every minute" John, Helix Green Team Volunteer