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

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who will help us maintain our garden and surrounding areas. We are looking to grow our own plants and vegetables to be utilised within the Community Hub and the Garnock Valley Community. This role would see the volunteer supporting service users with garden projects as well as lone working.

The Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway are operated by volunteers of the Scottish Railway Preservation Society (SRPS) and we need your help to keep everything running smoothly at our heritage railway station! In particular, we are looking for train crew for our upcoming season of rail tours. We need volunteers who are confident and friendly for: -Guards -Stewards We also need to expand our maintenance team to help us with: -Grounds maintenance -Track maintenance If you think you can help then please do get in touch! We also have a wide range of volunteer roles available, so if you’re interested in the steam trains or the railway line, and would like support us with your efforts or expertise then get in touch to see what else there is you could do.

volunteers to assist with maintenance and practical tasks at Dunnet Forest, Caithness. This is a community woodland supported by volunteers. The green Gym meets Thursdays weekly and is a great way to meet people, get outdoors and make a difference in this wonderful woodland.

Our visitor centre is getting ready for the new osprey and visitor season and we are looking for volunteers for one or more of the following roles: Guide in the Hide volunteer – This role is perfect for volunteers with enthusiasm for birds and a desire to communicate this to visitors, providing them with a quality bird watching experience in our viewing hides overlooking the loch Visitor Centre Volunteer – This is a front of house type role, meeting visitors, making them feel welcome and ensuring they have an enjoyable visit to our centre. There are also retail and membership aspects to the opportunity. Reserve Maintenance Volunteer – Help keep the path network and access to the centre clear and safe for visitors. A more practical volunteer opportunity with less visitor engagement aspects.

The Jock Neish Scouting Centre is looking for a volunteer to undertake general maintenance duties around the site, joining a small team on Wednesday mornings from around 9.00 am until lunch time.

Forfar Open Gardens are looking for Volunteer Gardeners to provide general help within the garden whether that be pottering in the outdoor or indoor planting areas, clearing and pruning in the large woodland space or any of the many jobs in between. The garden is an open space for people young and old to come along and enjoy so you have a keen interest in gardening or would like to learn then they would love to hear from you. Youth opportunities are available on Friday afternoons. Interested? Want to know more? Get in touch.

The Orkney Library and Archive in Kirkwall are looking to start a Seed Library and are looking for volunteers who know about cultivating/drying seeds and would be keen to get involved. The main duties will be to: Liaise with library staff to help get the seed library up and running and organised; Helping to write instructions to guide people on what to do and when; Keeping a check on the seed stock, seed health and the presentation of seeds; Helping to prepare seed packets, labelling and display in the library; Assisting with seed library events in the future.

Alcohol and Drugs Action (ADA) are seeking volunteers to help at our wonderful garden project based at the Grove Nursery, Just off Hazeldene Road (close to Hazlehead Park and Recycling Centre), AB15 8LD (free parking available or 10 minute walk from nearest bus stop. Any travel costs are reimbursed to volunteers). Your support and contribution as a volunteer can play a vital role in developing other’s personal development, social inclusion and active participation in their local community. • Full volunteer training provided • Access to Trellis therapeutic Gardening course. • Opportunity to network with other local community groups • Participation in annual plant sale • Support marginalised and vulnerable group in their personal growth and development A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All volunteers are greatly appreciated. For more information please contact: Gavin Wright, Depute Service Manager at email: gwright@alcoholanddrugsaction.org.uk or telephone 01224 577120.

We would like volunteers to provide horticulture support to the Tullos Community Garden project. This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of a community garden that has been up and running for almost 5 years. We need support to continue to develop the garden and its range of benefits for the wider community. Increase access to gardening and growing opportunities for the urban community in Torry, contributing to the health and wellbeing of residents. Support and supervision will be provided by our Volunteer Coordinator and the rest of the project committee. We are always happy to provide references for our Volunteers and where possible advise on future career paths. In addition, you will have the opportunity to have your say and become an active member of the garden committee. *Role of volunteer: • To work with CFINE and members of the Tullos Community Garden team to support the care of the garden. • Outdoor work in most weathers. • Assisting with the growing and maintenance planning for the garden. • Manual labour including weeding, watering, planting, pruning and litter picking. • Looking after the hand tools and keeping them in a good condition • Keeping pathways clean and clear of debris. • Keeping staff informed if there are any issues, e.g., any problems or concerns with the areas you are working; sharps or hazardous waste found in these areas; other site issues such as problems with visitors. • To support the organisation with volunteering/family/public events. • Assisting with hospitality for visitors to the garden. • Completing tasks assigned by your supervisor. • Supporting the project’s values. • Improving the overall workings of the project. • To work alongside other volunteers. • To liaise with the Tullos Community Garden Project and CFINE and highlight any issues that may require extra support. *Time commitment: Flexible depending on your availability. A fantastic opportunity to help with a wonderful community garden. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Rebecca Dunn, Community Growing Development Worker at email: rdunn@cfine.org or telephone: 07588471390.