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We are looking for volunteers to work with our community gardening group developing and maintaining our garden. Our community gardening group meets on Fridays. They are responsible for the development of our garden at Threipmuir Farm Steading outside Balerno. They indirectly support our work with young people by planting vegetables which our groups harvest and cook and by keeping the garden under control so that our work can take place in a safe and inspiring environment.

You could get involved with building suitable breeding enclosures, looking after the grounds and helping care for hundreds of rare birds and animals in our effort to help save species. Bird Gardens Scotland is a new visitor attraction in the Scottish Borders and our aim is the preservation of threatened birds and animals. If you are interested in construction of aviaries and animal shelters, maintenance, creative gardening, animal care or simply wish to help prepare the morning’s food then there are many opportunities for all and of all abilities. There are also opportunities for someone with IT skills to help update the website and work on social media. Skills/Experience Required: We have opportunities for all. If you have construction and maintenance skills then there is a diverse range of tasks planned; there are aviaries for kookaburra, capercaillie, black grouse and kookaburra to build, a flamingo house to construct, fencing, sheds, rearing units, concrete ponds, etc. Lots to do and many diverse challenges. If you are a green-fingered god or goddess, then we have seven acres which we are turning into a series of gardens to house the birds and make the site a joy to be beheld. There are hundreds of trees to plant, water-gardening, we have two acres of orchard and vegetable garden that needs caring for, if you have propagation skills, caring for seedlings, etc then this would be a great place for to have lots of fun. If you have animal care skills, then there are nearly four hundred birds on site and various mammals in the pipe-line that need daily health checks, watering, fed and their pens that need cleaning. In the breeding season there are hundreds of chicks that need cared for so there is always lots to do.

We are looking for volunteers to be involved in gardening at our garden at Seaview Children’s Unit. Seaview is a residential and respite centre for children and young people with severe needs. Volunteers will work with the gardener to maintain and develop the garden doing weeding, watering, planting, propagation and creative projects. The garden offers a therapeutic space for the children and young people, staff, parents and visitors to Seaview. Gardening experience is not required.

Help to create, develop and maintain the beautiful Glebe by Duddingston Loch. Tasks include Sowing seeds, ground cultivation, taking cuttings, pruning, grass-cutting, path-building, making garden structures and generally adding your skills and personality to the Glebe field.

No long term commitment, you can do just one day and there is no application process, simply call us with the date you want to come and we will book you a seat on our minibus. The work carried out by our volunteers can make a positive difference to an area immediately benefiting the environment, wildlife and people. It's worthwhile, fun and sociable. We do practical activities such as tree planting, tree weeding, control of invasive species, pathwork, pondwork, meadow raking, fencing and more.

Camphill School Aberdeen has exciting new volunteer opportunities to help. As a volunteer you will become part of a team within one of our 10 residential Care homes, set in beautiful surroundings 5 miles outside of Aberdeen City centre and close to the Deeside Railway line. We are currently seeking people to volunteer as: > Voluntary Coworkers within Residential School and Care Homes: Our pupils age from 12-25 years old and as part of your position, you will be with them when they attend the school, farm and gardens, workshops or even riding stables as part of their personalised daily routines and assist them with their tasks throughout the day. > Voluntary Farm and Gardens Volunteers: Our farm cares for cows, pigs, goats, hens and alpacas. As part of your position, you will be with our pupils when they attend the farm and gardens as part of their personalised daily routines and assist them with their tasks. > Voluntary Workshop Assistants: You will be with our pupils when they attend the various workshops (woodwork, metal, weavery, felt, candle, pottery, bike and Fruver- our food workshop)as part of their personalised daily routines and assist them with their tasks. These opportunities do not require you to have previous experience, we just ask that you are caring, patient and willing to help our pupils, have an interest in people and different ways of communications. Training is provided in induction and support given throughout the volunteering time within Camphill School Aberdeen. Fantastic opportunities to help with all assistance making a real difference and greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Naomi Paton, Recruitment Administrator at E Mail: n.paton@crss.org.uk or tel.: 01224 866162.

ADA-Alcohol & Drugs Action have opportunities for Volunteer Gardeners. We are looking for a keen gardener to volunteer in our Timmer Market premises to help maintain our small garden area. We would be particularly interested in anyone that can maximize the potential of the garden and maintain it on a regular basis. As well as Volunteer Gardeners we also have a range of other volunteer opportunities such as Volunteer Complementary Therapists, Creative Group Volunteers, Mini Bus Driver, Volunteer Buddies and Volunteer Music Group Assistant. For further details please contact: Anne McAlister T: 01224 577120 / F-mail: amcalister@alcoholanddrugsaction.org.uk Web: www.drugsaction.co.uk

The Aberdeen City Council Ranger Service is expanding its highly successful volunteer ranger programme. We are recruiting committed and enthusiastic individuals to assist the Ranger Service at a variety of sites around the city. The work involved is varied and, where possible, tailored to the volunteer's interests. This would be a perfect opportunity for people wanting to develop their CV, to get out and learn more about the landscape, wildlife of local area or even just wanting to get out and enjoy some practical work in an interesting setting. We do ask that where possible volunteers commit to joining as many work days as they can, these will normally run once or twice a week through the year and will allow us to help you develop your skills and explore your interests. However if you only want to work in your local area, or if you are only interested in certain volunteer tasks, we are happy to only contact you when a relevant opportunity arises. We are also happy for people to join one of our sessions on a “taster” basis before committing long term. If you are interested in using this opportunity towards a John Muir Award, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Saltire Award or any other qualification please just let us know and we can see what we can do to help. Young people aged under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. We are a recipient of the Volunteer Friendly Award national quality standard - all volunteers are therefore guaranteed an extremely good welcome and experience volunteering with us. For an informal chat and further details please contact: Duncan McNeill (Countryside Ranger) at Email: countrysideranger@aberdeencity.gov.uk / Tel: 01224 326429.

Are you interested in and enthusiastic about looking after the River Esk? The ‘Riverfly on the Esk’ group surveys riverflies to determine how clean the river water is and identifies if a pollution event is occurring. Are you interested in helping clean up the River Esk? Riverfly surveys are a way of monitoring water quality by looking at the different types and number of insects in the river environment. If you are enthusiastic about the environment and free to join us at monthly sessions, this is the opportunity for you. At these sessions, you will help carry out a riverfly survey to monitor water quality of the River Esk, where you will be outdoors for a few hours in both dry and wet weather. The survey involves putting on waders and life jacket, entering the river and doing a kick-sample (disturbing the river sediment and collecting the insects in a net), reviewing the collected sample and determining water quality based on the number and diversity of riverflies. Proper training will be provided before you are asked to take part in a survey with another volunteer surveyor. You will be working alongside other volunteers and enjoy being part of a team. Everyone is welcome, although under 18s will need to be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Garden volunteer at Larkhall Community Garden is an exciting and unique opportunity to be part of a friendly horticulture team. The volunteer will help us maintain our Community Garden in Hareleeshill Larkhall which was previously derelict land. Volunteer will gain experience in working on raised beds, sensory garden wildlife garden and within our polytunnels. To assist in seasonal gardening tasks throughout the year that will develop as the gardens develop. Volunteers will work in supervised groups led by a line manager. Some tasks are physically demanding and require a level of manual dexterity. Volunteers will work to the Larkhall Community Growers health and safety policies and procedures. • Garden maintenance – including weeding, mulching, edging, raking, digging over, staking and tying in, pruning, dead heading, bed preparation, tidying and path maintenance. • Seasonal propagation and growing on – including seed sowing, cuttings, potting up. • Composting – turning and processing, spreading and digging in. • Bed renovation and grounds development - reinstating and installing beds, ground preparation, planting, bulb planting. • Clearing overgrown areas – keeping on top of any invasive species. • While support and training will be provided, from time to time volunteers may work independently or without one to one supervision We will provide volunteers with an induction, including health and safety procedures. Specific horticultural skills will be developed whilst on the job. This opportunity provides strong links to improved mental health; creating a positive routine, enjoying outdoor space, the opportunity to socialise, become more hands on with natures calender and see and feel the benefits of your hard work bare fruit.