Supported Volunteering provides an excellent opportunity to learn new skills, develop existing ones and to meet like-minded people in an outdoor environment. You can get stuck into gardening, bushcraft and woodland management activities using a variety of tools. You can enjoy hammocks around a campfire and use the time to relax and unwind in nature if you wish. Although you may want to bring your own; light refreshments will be provided and a lunch will be offered from our Nest Cafe each week. A volunteers parent has said - The smile on his face when he comes home after being at the Ecology Centre and how he cant wait to tell me about his day makes my heart burst with pride and brings a tear to my eye The Ecology Centre look forward to giving you the same warm welcome.

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 Monday and Friday, from September to 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. 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. 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. Volunteers will need to bring 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. You don't need to have any previous experience, and volunteers can try a session to see if the role is for them. You can apply for this role online https://volunteer.rspb.org.uk/opportunities/36060-practical-reserve-work-reserve-work-party-volunteer-culbin-sands-2022-08-08

The woodlands in and around Forres are highly valued community assets. Forres Community Woodlands Trust aims to utilise the potential of these woodlands to provide a wide range of community benefits. These include providing local people and visitors to the area with ready access to special places to enjoy peace and quiet, healthy exercise, education and recreation. Our vision, therefore, is to maintain and enhance the Trust’s woodlands as bio-diverse habitats which provide recreational and educational opportunities. Our volunteer activities take place mostly in our FCWT woods, that is either Sanquhar Wood or Muiry. On average we meet one Saturday morning each month from 10 to 12 o'clock and we carry out maintenance work, for example removing young foreign species with loppers and hand saws like rhododendron, sitka spruce or Douglas fir or we plant trees or cut back bracken. Our aim is to remove as many foreign species as possible and replace them with native trees.

An opportunity to care for the garden and grounds of Historylinks Museum. Weeding, attending vegetables and tubs, looking after outdoor exhibitions, emptying the bin and taking care of the carpark area.

Responsible for recording and receiving any furniture, brick-a-brac and electrical equipment. Making sure it is stored safely and securely. Helping move stock from warehouse to shop floor.

Community volunteering is a great way to meet new people, connect with nature, learn new skills and improve health. Sessions involve maintaining parts of the nature reserve for people and wildlife. Sound interesting? Then feel free to come along to one of our volunteer days meeting at the reserve Farmhouse at 10am every Saturday (weather permitting). Please wear suitable clothing - all tools and PPE will be provided.

Springhill Community Garden seeks to provide a space which includes growing opportunities for food and beauty, as well as supporting wildlife. Raised beds are available for individuals to grow food for themselves, as well as communal beds for growing larger crops such as potatoes and beans. Through community links with local schools, youth groups and businesses, the garden seeks to promote a sense of community working together to build something for others. We are looking to create a community of gardeners - no experience necessary. As well as growing your own food, the garden presents an opportunity to develop educational workshops and social events, cultivate wildlife, and engage with other community groups in the area. A fantastic opportunity to help in a wonderful Community Garden. For more information please contact Pamela McEwan, Committee Member at email: springhillcommunity@gardener.com or telephone: 07842 261037.

You will be providing a puppy with a vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. This is a full-time volunteering opportunity as a puppy will live with you in your home for around 12-16 months. It should be noted that although it is possible for another Puppy Raiser to look after a dog on your behalf for short periods of time that this may not always be possible. Consideration should be given to your future plans such as holidays abroad. “It’s so rewarding to know that the dog will go on to help people with sight loss gain independence and freedom.” – Chris, Puppy Raiser We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include: • Developing, caring and providing for the needs of one of our puppies using Positive Reinforcement Techniques and following Guide Dogs Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) programme • Familiarising a puppy to a wide range of environments including shops and outdoor off lead exercise areas in all climates and seasons. • Teaching a puppy it’s ok to be left alone by gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of 4 hours • Attending regular puppy classes • Regularly meeting with Guide Dogs representatives to discuss your pup’s development • Completing regular on-line questionnaires to help us monitor puppy progress Ideally you will: • Be able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg) • Have access to a car on a weekly basis for training and vet visits • Have your own home or written permission to have a dog in the home • Have access to a secure area where the puppy could go to the toilet during the day, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night • Be able to access online content and training materials (you will need your own email address) If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, please drop us a message and tell us why. We’re open to suggestions and happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible! Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get; • A dedicated volunteer manager/key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us. • The challenge and reward of seeing a puppy develop in your home. • The opportunity to learn and develop your understanding in dog body language, learning theory, the human animal bond and the life of a Guide Dog. Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further before applying please email volunteer coordinator Aaron Puckrin at aaron.puckrin@guidedogs.org.uk. Thank you.

We are looking for a volunteer who would like to become our minute secretary. This involves attending once monthly meetings for about 2hrs (7-9pm) usually the third Thursday in Forfar to take minutes for the meeting, typing these up and distributing to the members. This is an excellent opportunity to get involved in your local community and might suit a volunteer hoping to further develop IT and admin skills.

We meet usually once a month for about 2 hrs (7pm- 9pm) usually the 3rd Thursday of the month. We can offer a small payment to cover expenses. Some examples of our involvement are monthly meetings involving locally elected councillors, police and guest speakers. We regularly review local planning applications, local news/ concerns and organise community events such as beach cleans, seasonal town decorations/ events such as the summer bunting and Christmas Lights display/ switch on. We also support to facilitate local projects and collaborating with organisations to distribute community funds. There is opportunity to become involved in such a wide variety of projects/ groups dependant on your availability of time.