volunteering – Page 11 – The NEN

Summer hours at Lauriston Farm

Summer hours!

Now the days are longer, we can be at the community garden and allotments a bit later, so … starting this Tuesday 2nd May, the drop-in hours are:

Tuesdays 3-5pm

Thursdays 1-3pm

We hope you can join us. You don’t need gardening experience and you don’t need to book – just come along when you can.

There are a mix of jobs – you can choose the ones that are right for you, have a blether with neighbours, get some sea air, learn more about growing food using nature-friendly methods, and feel good about feeding the neighbourhood.

You also get a share of produce when things are ready to pick.

Hope to see you there!

North Edinburgh Community Festival: Call for Volunteers

SATURDAY 13th MAY – WEST PILTON PARK

Volunteer-information Download

ELREC: Free Permaculture Course at Lauriston Farm

We are excited to announce the launch of our Permaculture Course, taking place at ELREC plot in Lauriston Farm as part of our Communities’ Reduce Reuse & Recycle project.

This course is open to everyone who is interested in learning about gardening and sustainable land management practices.

Our course offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers a range of topics such as soil building, sowing seeds, compost making, beneficial insects, pest management, and much more. By taking our Permaculture Course, you will gain a deeper understanding of how to live more sustainably, reduce your ecological footprint, and contribute positively to the local and global ecosystem.

This is an excellent opportunity to participate in a transformative and enriching experience that empowers individuals to create meaningful and positive change in their lives and communities.

The best part? The course is completely FREE, although donations are welcomed to support our work. To book your spot, please email cfc@elrec.org.uk.

Check out the course timetable here https://www.elrec.org.uk/elrec-permaculture-course-at…/ for more details.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn about permaculture and join us on this journey towards sustainability and regeneration!

Volunteer sessions with Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden

Did you know that we have regular volunteering sessions?

We have a wonderful community of people from all walks of life who gather in the garden to help us maintain its beauty and help with seasonal gardening tasks.

Whether you’re an avid gardener or a complete beginner we would love to have you!

We have an employed gardener on site if you’d like to learn specific things and advance your skills, or if you just need a helping hand to gain some confidence.

For more information check out of website and email us with your interest to arrange an introductory visit.

#scotlandcommunitygardens

LifeCare: Would you like to join our board?

We are looking for new trustees to help LifeCare in its great work supporting local older people

LifeCare is at an exciting stage in its development and we are looking for Trustees who will passionately inform our services bringing new skills and experience to help lead the organisation.

We are particularly (but not exclusively) interested in individuals with experience in the following fields:

Health and Social Care
Finance
Fundraising
Marketing and Digital Innovation
Hospitality

Most of all, we are looking for people with lived experience of care, or as an unpaid carer, to help strengthen our capacity to better embed the voice of the people who use our services at Board level.

Can you help us? We are looking for people who share our values, that are passionate and committed about supporting local older people, who can be creative in building our profile and work closely with our team and stakeholders to deliver outstanding person-centred services to our clients.

The Board usually meets in the evenings (either in-person or via Zoom). The role is non-remunerated however reasonable expenses will be reimbursed and training / ongoing support will be provided. If you have any questions or would like a quick chat to find out more, please contact our chair beverleyfrancis@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk.

To apply please send a CV and covering letter expressing your interest to beverleyfrancis@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk. Please contact us if you would prefer to submit an application in another format.

Closing date 31^st March 2023

Webpage: https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/2023/02/27/join-lifecares-board-of-trustees/

Vintage Vibes: Looking for lovely people in North Edinburgh to volunteer

Did you know that Edinburgh is the loneliest city in the UK for older people?

@Vintage Vibes Edinburgh is a charity project that matches you with a wonderful older person who is local to you and has a shared interest, to create a fantastic friendship that meets once a week. It’s flexible, fun and fulfilling.

“You couldn’t have picked a better person, she is a great friend.” – Doreen

Interested? Email hello@vintagevibes.org.uk or go to vintagevibes.org.uk and sign up online

Call for nominations to join Hostelling Scotland’s Board of Trustees

Start 2023 with a new and exciting adventure!

Hostelling Scotland, the not for profit, self-funded charity, who operate a network of nearly 60 exceptional quality assured youth and affiliate hostels throughout Scotland, and facilitate a number of youth and community initiatives, is on the lookout for new members to join its Board of Trustees.

The organisation is very keen to receive applications from as wide a range of talented people as possible irrespective of their religion or belief, gender, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, political belief, relationship status or caring responsibilities.

With the challenging economic climate Hostelling Scotland would love to hear from applicants with skills and experience in managing operational change, charity/corporate governance, law, risk management, and youth travel and hospitality.

Margo Paterson, CEO of Hostelling Scotland, said: “Hostelling Scotland is open to all. We are committed to inclusion and diversity and we want our Board of Trustees to be representative of the wide range of talented people we have in the communities we serve throughout Scotland.

“We value greatly the benefits of having different points of view and experiences on our Board. We particularly welcome applications from first time Trustees and highly motivated individuals across all age groups and backgrounds, with a wide range of skills and experiences, and the capacity and commitment to grow into the role.”

“If you are looking for a new and exciting adventure and keen to do something great. If you believe you have the enthusiasm and drive to help shape the future of hostelling in Scotland, we would love to hear from you.”

To express an interest and receive a nomination pack and application form, please email: companysecretary@hostellingscotland.org.uk.

Please note: a formal nomination form is required to be completed by 10 March 2023.

Thank Dog it’s Fostering Friday!

Dogs Trust Dundee staff are honouring their fantastic foster carers by shouting Thank Dog it’s Fostering Friday!

Over the next two weeks, Dogs Trust Dundee will be using its social media channels to highlight fostering success stories, real-life fostering experiences and the joys of opening your heart and home to a dog in need.

As well as sharing the stories of dogs looking for foster homes, the charity will also share all the fantastic benefits fostering can bring to both people and dogs. The online celebration is inspired by the incredible efforts of the charity’s foster carers to help dogs prepare for the next stages of their rehoming journey.

Thank Dog it’s Fostering Friday, shortened to TDIFF, is a play on the popular phrase ‘Thank God It’s Friday’ (TGIF), typically used to mark the end of the working week. But for Dogs Trust, the celebration of foster carers isn’t limited to the weekend.

It will also promote Dogs Trust’s continued fostering expansion throughout Scotland as well as celebrate the Dundee teams successes in 2022 – finding loving new homes for 34 dogs.

The TDIFF celebration will conclude with an in-person event on Friday 27^th January between 2pm-3.30pm at The Townhouse Hotel, Arbroath.

The event will be an excellent chance for budding participants to meet current foster carers, hear about their experiences, and ask questions. Dogs Trust Home from Home Coordinators will be on hand to provide information and share more about the benefits of fostering.

“We couldn’t rehome as many dogs as we do without the help of our foster carers,” said Chloe Dixon, Home from Home Coordinator at Dogs Trust Dundee.

“We’re thankful for everything they do to help get our dogs back on their paws. And we know our dogs are grateful for their love and support too. We are looking forward to celebrating our foster carers in the next couple of weeks and encourage anyone considering fostering to get in touch.”

Foster carers play a major role in helping rescue dogs prepare for a happy future in a new home. It can be the perfect way for dog lovers to experience the joy of rehoming without the long-term commitment of owning a dog.

Fosterers also receive the committed support of the Dogs Trust team, being provided with everything they need to support their foster dog, from food and bedding to covering veterinary costs.

Follow the Thank Dog it’s Fostering Friday celebration by keeping an eye on #TDIFF on Twitter and Instagram. See all the latest updates on Dogs Trust Dundee on twitter @DT_Dundee_ and Insta @dt_dundee

Anyone interested in fostering or finding out more about the #TDIFF event can email HFH.Dundee@dogstrust.org.

Volunteer sessions with Edinburgh Agroecology Group

MARKET GARDEN VOLUNTEERING at LAURISTON FARM

EDINBURGH Agroecology Group at Lauriston Farm has got big plans for the Market Garden for 2023 – do you want to get involved?

Upcoming volunteer sessions on 14th & 28th January.

RSVP on Volunteer Signup to join us: https://volunteersignup.org/ALFRW

AnswerConnect celebrates a year of giving back through community-first initiatives

Initiatives include the planting of over one million trees and over 1,000 hours volunteered

This year team collaboration and business services provider AnswerConnect has engaged in a range of activities as part of its ‘Giving Back’ initiative, including tree planting, fundraising and supported learning.

Set up in 2018, AnswerConnect’s “Giving Back” initiative was formed to facilitate the company’s commitment to putting people, planet and purpose first and going above and beyond commercial goals. In the past year, the AnswerConnect employees have dedicated in excess of 1,000 volunteer hours and planted over a million trees.

Their environmental outreach has resulted in a number of partnerships with tree-planting organisations across the globe, including the Trees for Life, TreePeople and Tree Aid. Alongside these partnerships, AnswerConnect works with Trees For The Future to plant a tree for every customer and every employee every month.

Angela Fee, Head of Mattering (Marketing) & Impact at AnswerConnect said; “We are passionate about our ongoing commitment to giving back, whether it be in local communities or across the globe.

“Volunteering our time and resources is one of the ways we can make a real difference to our surroundings and pressing issues. We’d encourage any other firms thinking about doing the same to take the leap. It’s been hugely rewarding, not only for the business but on a personal level as well.”