The Shetland Conservation Volunteers is a RSPB run team of enthusiastic volunteers who deliver practical conservation work in Shetland for environmental and community benefit. An ongoing programme of activities will be proposed, with an aim of a day of action every month in spring and summer. Tasks could include infrastructure maintenance at RSPB reserves and providing help to local projects such as weeding, pruning and planting in community gardens. There is no minimum commitment, volunteers can take part in one or more projects. This is an opportunity to learn and share skills, join a friendly team and actively contribute to protecting Shetland's environment. This opportunity is seasonal and will be dependent on guidance around COVID-19 for 2020/2021

Dunfermline Greenspace is a local organisation set up to benefit the community of Dunfermline and to preserve, restore and improve the environment. They aim to use public greenspace to benefit and protect the wellbeing, health, recreation and leisure of the community, while also providing education, training and volunteering opportunities. They are currently looking for new trustees to join their board. As a board member, you will attend monthly meetings and make decisions on behalf of the charity. If you have a passion for greenspaces, the environment, and heritage, and want to make Dunfermline a better and more accessible place for the local community, this could be the ideal role for you.

The Stornoway Trust is committed to the development and conservation of the Castle Grounds. The principle asset for achieving this is our tree and plant nursery located near Marybank within the Grounds. The work is rewarding but also labour intensive, we are looking for a committed volunteer to help us achieve our goals. The purpose of the role is to assist the Nursery Coordinator in a variety of tasks, working alongside other volunteers and the Garden Team. Tasks will involve potting up seedlings, propagation, organising plant stock, watering, weeding seedling beds, and seed collecting (to name just a few). Volunteer benefits - • Working with nature • Conserving the Castle Grounds • Learning lots of new skills • Working in the fresh air • Physical activity (get those steps up) • Friendly, knowledgeable team

Litter isn’t nice. It spoils the places we live, work and visit. It devalues our beautiful country. Clean Up Scotland is our campaign to tackle litter. Whether you are an individual, member of a community, school or a business, we can all work together to improve our environment. Through Clean Up Scotland, we raise awareness of our litter problem, take action and inspire others to do the same. We can help you to organise a litter pick, find a litter pick happening near you or nominate someone for our Clean Up Scotland Hero award. If you are a business, we can organise volunteering activities and CSR days, or you can support our campaign financially, knowing that your money will make a real difference to our environment. Together we can make a difference.

MCCI are looking for keen, enthusiastic individuals who would like to volunteer within Methilhill Learning Garden, carrying out a variety of tasks. If you enjoy being outdoors and have one or two spare hours a week they would love to hear from you. There will be a variety of tasks including some general DIY. They need help maintaining the garden - trees, flowers, herbs and bushes - they have planted. Families or friends are welcome to volunteer as a group. Gardening knowledge would be an advantage but it’s not essential, if you’re enthusiastic and willing to muck in. Here is a list of the types of things you might be asked to do in the garden: weeding, planting, trimming, pruning, maintaining paths, cutting grass, tidying up.

Cafe volunteers wanted - imagine a day out without coffee and cake? We'd rather not! We are looking for volunteers to help in our cafe and allow our visitors to relax and refuel. There are different tasks so you're bound to find something you enjoy. So if you are looking to meet new people and/or gain catering experience, this role could be just what you are looking for. As part of our café team you will be serving customers hot and cold drinks, clearing tables, talking to customers about our food and drink options, maintaining cleanliness standards and health and safety codes of practice. You will be helping visitors find seating and answering questions. Café team volunteers volunteer on a rota to cover the needs of the site, this could be from a few hours a week.

Volunteer Facilities Coordinator (VFC) (maybe suit someone with a background in facilities management or building maintenance or someone about to qualify in their profession) We have recently had an Energy Efficiency Assessment carried out in our project and are looking for a volunteer to help coordinate the workload of sourcing quotes for building works to upgrade the energy efficiency of the project. (Including Air source Heat pumps, Cavity Wall insulation, Roof insulation, replacement windows and doors) In addition we would like the VFC to: • Meet new Suppliers and show around the building • Keep an up to date record / spreadsheet of who has been contacted, prices, timescales etc. • Joint with Management team help project manage and coordinate when work starts. • Meet with Business Manager (in person or online) fortnightly with progress updates • Job would be mainly during the day but admin tasks any time. When you volunteer with us we will pay your travel expenses and offer free training opportunities. We would like you to be part of our team and come along to social nights and away days. You will also have access to join our Edinburgh Leisure discount scheme

Established in 1991 with strong support from the Islands Council and the community, Orkney International Science Festival is one of the oldest science festivals outside Edinburgh. Now in its 34th year, it has built a reputation for programme quality, with past speakers including Jane Goodall and Nobel laureate Peter Higgs. The Festival has strong community involvement, and successfully hosted projects like the Moon installation in 2018, and the SUN Installation in 2023 which drew over 14,000 visitors in 7days. The Festival’s success has been made possible by the help of many skilled and enthusiastic volunteers based locally and also from elsewhere in the UK. Their presence allowed us to expand our programme of events and attract audiences, particularly aiding in the recovery from the challenges posed by Covid in previous years. There are opportunities for volunteers across every aspect of the Festival, from general support to technical assistance. Key activities include the following (but not limited to): • Helping with arrangements at the venues and managing event logistics • Moving and setting up staging and audio/visual equipment. • Assisting with technical support during the event, including assistance with roving and speaker microphones • Assisting speakers, performers and artist. • Assisting attendees, including directing them to seating or facilities. • Distributing materials or resources, such as programmes and feedback forms. • Assisting Door/Front of House team with Onsite ticketing and Family Day activities. • Ensuring adherence to health and safety protocols throughout the event. • Collaborating with the team to ensure smooth execution of the event. • Conducting post-event cleanup and ensuring the venue is left in good condition. • Handling any on-the-spot changes or emergencies that may arise. Volunteers will have the opportunity to be part of a team and gain networking opportunities with event speakers and attendees from various backgrounds within the science and event management community. A volunteer involved in the onsite event assistant role would gain valuable experience in event coordination and technical support. Additionally, they would gain insights into the behind-the-scenes operations of organising a successful event, and gain exposure to diverse scientific topics and presentations. The 2024 Orkney International Science Festival will run from Thursday 5th September through to Wednesday 11th September, with events running anytime between 9am and 11pm. Morning, afternoon, and evening shifts are available with volunteers committing 2-3 hours per shift.

Are you interested in wildlife and would you like to get involved in practical work on our Culbin Sands reserve? We are looking for new volunteers to get involved and help us manage our remote and fascinating Culbin Sands reserve. We rely on the hard work and dedication of volunteers to keep the habitats on this reserve in fine condition. To do this, we are running work groups, usually once or twice a week between August and April. This role is suitable for under 18’s. We will carry out habitat management tasks during these work groups, which will include the removal of scrub and small trees with hand tools and burning brash on bonfires. We are looking for volunteers to help out with these management tasks by joining our dedicated team of volunteers. Work groups take place between Monday and Saturday. It is not possible to run work groups on regular days of the week as access to Culbin Sands is dependent on the timing of tides, so planned work group dates are released every few weeks. The tasks are running as part of our LIFE 100% for Nature Project, which aims to improve the condition of sand dune and vegetated shingle habitats on the reserve, to benefit a range of rare and threatened species. In this role you'll learn about the management and ecology of this important reserve while developing new skills in habitat management or just enjoying this remote and wild reserve. While in the role, appropriate training and support will be provided for all tasks. Through this role you will be making an important contribution to the management of this reserve. We are looking for volunteers who are enthusiastic, flexible and can get on well with a range of people. If you have an interest in conservation it will be helpful, but not essential. No specialist skills are required however, you will need to be able to use hand tools (bowsaws, loppers) for cutting vegetation and you will need to be able to withstand 4-6 hours of working (at your own pace) on a remote site in sometimes poor weather conditions. You will need to be able to move over steep, boggy and sandy ground and be able to step over or use a narrow plank to cross a tidal creek to access the site. You will need to be comfortable to occasionally work around loud machinery and to follow safety instructions. Due to the remoteness of the reserve, there are no indoor toilet facilities at this reserve. You will need to make sure you have an up-to-date tetanus injection. As the reserve is remote, you will need your own transport to get to the reserve. The reserve is not served by public transport. Volunteers will need to provide their own food, drink and outdoor clothing, including wellies. The RSPB will provide appropriate Personal Protective Equipment relevant to the tasks, such as work gloves and protective glasses. We recommend that new volunteers attend a trial volunteer session, to ensure that the role is suitable for them.

Craving for a reason to get outside? Enjoy nature and being outdoors? Want to learn more about growing your own veg, or maybe even do some tree planting? Friends of Forres Woods and Fields are looking for volunteers who'd like to to help these community spaces and welcome new people to get involved. In the summer months, the volunteer focus is with their beautiful Community & Children's garden - a 1-acre space to grow and harvest your own vegetables. Coming autumn and winter, volunteers look to the woodlands to manage invasive species, plant trees and make insect habitats. Tasks are suited to most abilities, and the team are always happy to find a task that is right for you and can fit your interests, but if you are unsure, don't hesitate to contact for more information. Volunteering take place mornings Wednesday and Saturday from 10:00 - 13:00. Want to have a go? Please get in touch via forresfriends@gmail.com!