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.

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.

South Ayrshire Council Ranger Service are offering the opportunity for young persons aged between 13-18 to learn new, or develop existing, skills in practical outdoor work. These sessions will introduce essential environmental conservation skills like basic bushcraft, use of manual hand tools and invasive non-native species control. The programme will run on a fortnightly basis (every second Saturday) and from 10am-12pm. Booking is essential so to book a place, or for more information, please feel free to contact the ranger service via ranger.service@south-ayrshire.gov.uk Our next session will take place on Saturday 21st October 2023 and then every two weeks thereafter. Sessions are suitable for one-off volunteering so attendance is not required at every session. Our meeting point is Rozelle Lodge, Rozelle Park, Monument Road, Ayr, KA7 4NQ