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Friends of Aberdeen Beach (a.k.a FAB) is a community group committed to maintaining and improving the quality of seaside between the mouth of the rivers Dee and Don. We, at Friends of Aberdeen Beach, do regular litter picks on the city’s beach. It’s an opportunity to get out and about in the fresh air, meet new people and do your bit for our community. Removing litter not only makes the beach look nicer but it also helps protect the wildlife off Aberdeen’s coast (like the dolphins, seals and seabirds) and keeps beach users and dogs safe from rubbish that’s been washed up. We liaise with Aberdeen City Council who assist us with our clean ups, provide equipment to us and install and maintain local facilities (bins, public toilets, information signs etc.). A fantastic, enjoyable opportunity to help and make a positive difference to Aberdeen’s wonderful beach. For further details please contact: Heather Lyons (Chairperson) at email: friendlybeachaberdeen@gmail.com or heather-lyons@hotmail.co.uk and also our facebook page and website at: http://www.friends-of-aberdeen-beach.co.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734153026833610/

This initiative is about planting varieties of apple trees in any suitable space available. The blossoms are excellent for honey bees which are under threat. Apple varieties that are under threat of being lost are also maintained. Any fruit is to be made available for communities to use as they wish. Fruit may be used for eating directly, for cooked products and for cider making. Any profit from apples cropped will be returned to the community as well. Volunteers are needed to assist the project by : • Digging a hole. • Partly backfill with compost. • Place the apple tree, tree support and protection as required into the hole. • Complete backfill and water as appropriate. • Label with apple variety, its primary use, name of volunteer, date planted. • Feel good for helping the bees, the planet and our communities. Initially we are looking at two sites: 1. Grove Nursery at Hazelhead. 2. Cove Woodland Trust, South Cove Road. More sites will be developed across Aberdeen and the North East and other volunteering and job opportunities may arise as the project develops. All aspects of grafting, pruning etc. can be arranged for volunteers showing the correct aptitudes. A fantastic opportunity to help an exciting initiative. All help greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Brian Allan, Volunteer & Funding Co-ordinator at E Mail: brianaltenscc2@gmail.com or Tel.: 07751275757.

We are a young democratically run organisation that needs to grow. At the moment we are a small group working at projects that reduce waste and we intend that Aberdeen and Shire become zero waste areas. That is, that everything we use becomes part of a circular economy and is not discarded needlessly to be tipped or burned. Currently, our main projects are :- *Go Green Café *Trash to Treasure *Men's Sheds *Planting Fruit Trees for Community Benefit These worthy projects are undertaken alongside family and work commitments but we need to do more if we are to make inroads to the waste we generate each day. That presents exciting opportunities for volunteers. Our next step then, is for more 'Trustees' to join with us to take on an officer of the board role, or to become an ordinary member and help steer the way forward to a successful reduction of waste to zero. If you’re/for more information then please do get in touch with Brian Allan at email brianaltenscc2@gmail.com or tel.: 07751275757.

Be a dear and volunteer! If you have a couple of hours a week to spare, or you are currently thinking of branching out to the care sector and would like to know whether it is something for you, why not volunteer at the South Lodge? Bring your gardening skills and knowledge to our grounds at South Lodge. This is a year round opportunity, with flexible hours and without any stresses or pressure Grow a vegetable patch, plant flowers, tidy up the grounds, walk with our residents on our grounds. Develop positive relationships with staff, visitors, and residents and participate with activities and events. - No prior training is needed, except for an enthusiasm to be with our residents. - Induction training is provided. - PVG checks needed and will be paid for by social care.

Volunteers needed to help the Bellfield Garden flourish. Group meets weekly on a Friday 10am-12:30pm to develop the garden space. Any volunteers welcome. No gardening experience necessary. Typical tasks include weeding, planting, plotting etc.

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.

This conservation opportunity takes place every other Thursday, predominantly at South Haugh and occasionally at Low Parks, Udston & Glenlee Woods and Westburn. The volunteers will be undertaking a series of conservation tasks including woodland management, removal of invasive plant species, tree thinning, litter picking, path maintenance and much more. Please feel free to come along and join in. Volunteers should dress for the weather, sturdy footwear required. Bring a packed lunch. We’ll supply tea/coffee/biscuits. Contact Melanie Craig, Countryside Ranger on 07795 453 443. Please be aware there are no toilets onsite.

We appreciate and value the support given to us at RGA by volunteers. Our volunteers help and support our residents, garden, social enterprise projects and charity to grow and develop. They become part of the community, which is at the heart of River Garden. If you are interested in gardening, you can volunteer at our grounds in Auchincruive. If you have skills and enthusiasm to support our work in the garden, here are some of the duties that you might enjoy doing: - Weeding - Bed construction - Planting and sowing - Harvesting and watering - Scrub clearance - Guided walks Desirable Qualities - A passion for horticulture and gardening - Happy working in a team - Enjoy working in an outdoor situation - To be reasonably physically fit (garden tasks can be physically demanding) - Have a basic knowledge of ornamental and edible plants.

Volunteers required to assist in the running and upkeep of the wildlife centre, including the cleaning out of animals, preparing of food, putting away of stock and cleaning the site

Volunteer gardeners are an integral part of the hospice garden team, planting, clearing leaves, cutting grass and making the garden a welcoming and relaxing environment for children and families. It’s important to CHAS that the garden looks its best at all times to help families relax as possible during their stay at the hospice and also fun for the children. WHAT ACTIVITIES WILL I BE INVOLVED IN? - Grass cutting - General gardening: weeding, clearing leaves, tidying - Assisting with planting, pruning etc. - Assisting in the development of new areas of ground - Keeping paths and driveways tidy - Clearing snow and gritting drives, car parks and paths in winter, as necessary WHAT SKILLS AND ABILITIES WILL I NEED TO HAVE? - An outgoing and friendly personality - An enjoyment of gardening - A flexible approach - An ability to undertake physical work outdoors - Adhere to rules around GDPR and a strong understanding of confidentiality - Shared values with the organisation: respect, care, honesty, accountability HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD I OFFER? At Robin House in Balloch you can volunteer for half a day or one full day per week. They currently have availability during the day on weekdays. At Rachel House in Kinross you can volunteer for half a day or one full day. They currently have availability during the day on Mondays and Tuesdays. WHERE IS THIS OPPORTUNITY BASED? Rachel House Hospice in Kinross OR Robin House Hospice in Balloch WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP? If you would like additional information about the role: - Please visit: https://www.chas.org.uk/volunteers/garden-volunteer - Call 01577 866065 - Email volunteering@chas.org.uk. If you’re interested in the role you can apply online: https://www.chas.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/volunteer-application-form