We’re the Community Growing team at CFINE! We work together with existing community gardens across Aberdeen to help them do more, and we work with volunteers and others to provide opportunities for training, personal development, and improvement of wellbeing. Our work consists of creating and supporting city-wide community growing activities, including amongst other things: seminars and networking opportunities; running workshops and activities programmes with people of all abilities and ages; bringing gardening together with the arts through community-based creative projects; and... Running our gardening skills courses! At this point in time, our team works to run three different kinds of gardening courses: the CFINE “Growing Employability Skills” course; the “Growing For Wellbeing” course, in collaboration with MindStore; and the “Grow Food Indoors” course, in collaboration with One Seed Forward. Of these, we will be having further runs of Growing Employability Skills and Growing For Wellbeing courses throughout the rest of 2024. Both are based on a similar programme, covering four main learning areas: promoting biodiversity; composting and soil health; plant care, and; propagation. And – while wellbeing is always a priority on all of our courses – special attention is paid to this in our Growing For Wellbeing courses, which also include additional activities for developing and practising mindfulness within the sessions. This year will be the third consecutive year that we’ve been running our gardening courses, and our programme is diversifying and expanding all the time. So far, we’ve helped a total of 65 participants to complete our courses across 8 cohorts. Our hope is that by running these courses, we’ll reach out to new people, help them to develop their skills, and support them to improve their wellbeing, while at the same time also working to build up a bigger and bigger volunteer base for Aberdeen’s community growing projects. Our Support For Learning volunteers work together with course tutors during the sessions to: prep and for the sessions and pack down afterwards; supporting course participants to carry out activities; supporting course participants with paperwork and writing where appropriate, and; sometimes some additional tasks (e.g. collecting refreshments for the sessions) are helpful as well. Volunteers are also able to fully participate in the courses alongside other attendees, and so gain all the benefits of our courses -- getting outside and meeting new people, visiting and learning more about Aberdeen's community garden spaces, and getting to practice gardening skills together with the rest of the group. No prior training required for the position. Volunteers will receive training in gardening skills alongside fulfilling their learning support role. The volunteer will be working together with a course tutor at all times, and the community growing team will be available for additional support where required. A fantastic opportunity to help at wonderful community gardens in Aberdeen. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Lucy Edwards, Community Growing Assistant at email: ledwards@cfine.org or telephone: 01224 596156.

An exciting opportunity to join the Under the Trees team, working in the great and beautiful outdoors whilst gaining valuable experience working with young children and young adults. You will potentially be working in all weathers and in all seasons - we can provide waterproofs! Under the Trees runs fun and educational sessions for school children in the Falkirk and Stirling areas, as well as a programme of public events for all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Events run all year round. As a Volunteer Education Assistant, there will be opportunities for you to do a range of the following: - Assist with Educational Sessions for school groups, including term-time forest schools. - Assist with sessions for the general public, including a monthly nature club for ages 0-13. - Assist with holiday play sessions and family events. - Plan and lead in activities. - Maintain resources effectively. - Keep session areas safe and tidy. - Desk-based activities in planning, creating materials and administration.

The Kincorth Community Centre Hub has great volunteer opportunities to assist with a range of activities at the Hub. Volunteer roles include supporting our busy community cafe, which has rapidly taken off, we currently open 9.30 -2.30, but our aim is to run a breakfast and supper club, as well as have the cafe open for activities in the evening. We have a diverse community that has a lot to offer e.g.: art classes/exercise group/dance class/music lessons and we are always open to new ideas-we are more or less a blank canvass. Excellent support and relevant guidance is provided to all volunteers. Level 2 Hygiene Certificate will be offered to those who want to volunteer/cook in the café. Any other training would be reviewed and provided if proved relevant. A fantastic, enjoyable opportunity to volunteer and help make a real difference for people and the community. All volunteers are greatly appreciated. For further information please contact Andrea Stewart at email gingerstewart@btinternet.com or telephone: 07985 600037.

Are you a parent in Scotland? Do you remember what it was like becoming a first time parent? The Why Not Trust are looking for volunteers to become Peer Mentors, providing support to soon to be or new care-experienced parents. We know it take a village to raise a child, but not everyone has the same support networks around them. We aim to create a judgment and stigma-free community of mentors and mentees where trusting one-to-one relationships can be established. What does a Peer Mentor do? • Chat with your mentee on a regular basis, roughly 4 hours per month • Encourage, empower and champion your mentee • Provide gentle guidance in relation to parenting • Engage with your mentee in a non judgemental, caring and supportive way Some of the many benefits our volunteers can expect: • Become part of a supportive and welcoming community • Get matched with a fellow parent you have something in common with • Meetings that fit your schedule – online or in person • Receive accredited mentor training • Get paid for your travel expenses and other expenses • Improve your own confidence as well as your mentees • Develop your communication and listening skills The Why Not? Trust is working towards doing things differently. If you would like to become a Peer Mentor or would like more information, please email our Peer Mentor Lead, Ashleigh at ashleigh.donaldson@whynottrust.org or call on 07850725799. We look forward to hearing from you!