REAP is an independent local charity based in Keith, founded in 1997 and operating throughout Moray. REAP has done various types of community and environmental work over the last 20+ years but our focus has always been on helping individuals and communities find solutions. At the moment we have two broad strands of work: Food and growing – helping people grow and eat more of their own food, compost more, take part in therapeutic gardening and environmental improvement, get outside more and cut their carbon footprint. Energy saving advice – helping people with switching tariffs, cutting their bills through energy-saving behaviours, advising on availability of grants and loans, helping people find the help they are eligible for and training volunteers to be energy champions who can support their friends and neighbours to save energy and save money and working to promote community-led social and environmental projects including energy advice, local food and growing initiatives. REAP also offers community consultation and research services on a consultancy basis. We welcome volunteer directors to join our staff team and current Board who are keen to help REAP make a difference in our local communities. If you are interested in joining our Board, please don’t hesitate to get in touch to arrange an informal chat with existing Board members and staff. Call 01542 888070 (Mon – Thurs 9.30am to 3pm) or email info@reapscotland.org.uk. We can also give you a Trustees’ pack with detailed information about becoming a Scottish charity Trustee and more information about REAP as an organisation. You don’t need any specific skills or experience to join the Board, just an interest in REAP’s work. To find out more read on and explore the website or give us a call for an informal chat. If you’ve never been a Trustee, our current Board members and staff will support you. If you’re a seasoned Trustee, we will be glad to have the benefit of your experience. Being on a Board is rewarding, makes a little bit of your time go a long way, and is useful experience. REAP’s Board members must be 18 years or older.

REAP is currently looking for 2 or 3 volunteers to help support upcoming gardening sessions at their Maryhill Therapeutic Garden in Elgin. Working alongside the REAP team, volunteers will help participants get involved in gardening activities, helping people to build their skills, confidence, and wellbeing. Therapeutic gardening is the use of garden space to improve and build resilience in mental health; to increase physical activity; develop social skills and encourage a healthier diet. REAP’s aim is to help participants improve their mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing through gardening and socialising in a beautiful, peaceful environment. Sessions are returning soon on February 11th and will run on a weekly basis on Tuesday afternoons 2-5pm or Friday mornings 10-12:30pm. Volunteers can help people take part in various gardening activities such as sowing seeds, learning about composting and harvesting vegetables to take home. There’s also a chance to socialise during the tea breaks! Volunteers will also be supported in their development by being offered training relevant to the project. If you are a friendly, patient person, able to engage with a wide variety of people, and can volunteer outside in a practical way, have an interest in gardening ( food growing or ornamental 😊 ), or even have skills that could help build a new garden bench!) please do get in touch with REAP, who will be very happy to tell you more about how to get involved. Tel 01542 888070

This winter is going to be a very busy one for REAP's energy advisors. They'll be visiting communities across Moray giving energy advice and helping people find practical ways to cope with the rising costs of energy. Could you help this team? A few volunteers are needed to provide a wee bit of practical logistical support to the Energy team during outreach events or workshops. An extra pair of hands, for example, to help up and set down a gazebo, distribute flyers, and perhaps most importantly, practically support the Energy adviser with any small operational tasks that will help the event run as smoothly as possible. Times are flexible and you don't need to commit to every event... If you'd like to find out more, please just get in touch.

Here's an admin support, front-desk role, with a great organisation and supportive team! Volunteer receptionists will help take enquiries over the phone and during a walk-in/drop-in session which would require booking and taking appointments, signing in people, and doing a bit of signposting too. Potential volunteers who like multi-tasking, who have good communication skills and solid IT skills are very welcome to pop by for a visit first to see if this is something they'd like to like to try. Full training will be given, transport expenses paid at the rate of 45p per mile to and from the office. The role is open to people aged 16 plus.