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The Volunteer Ranger positions at Bowhill House and Grounds will involve working closely with the Learning and Engagement Ranger to help complete general maintenance tasks, improve estate infrastructure and complete Environmental Surveys. Role description: Working as part of a small team of volunteers led by the Learning and Engagement Ranger you will have opportunity to help with a variety of tasks on the Bowhill Estate. This will range from maintaining and expanding an extensive walks network, improving the interpretation offering on the walks, general maintenance of the woodlands including cutting back of rhododendron and clearing of storm damaged branches. There will also be opportunity to have some involvement in monitoring of flora and fauna on the estate.

Volunteers welcomed to support Live Borders curators, archivists and educators. Tasks vary from contributing information, research and digitising resources for Borders Collections Online database, to helping at events/exhibitions or supporting on-site conservation, cataloguing and storage projects. Role Description : Volunteers can get involved in a range of ways to help our team deliver priority programmes in museums/archives work. We have opportunities available working either remotely (online) and in our Museums/Galleries plus Heritage Hub archive, located across the Scottish Borders area. Skills/Experience Required: We are looking for volunteers with a diverse range of skills and subject interests. Our collections and database projects cover everything under the sun from textiles, photography and local history, to natural sciences, art and motorsport. Current projects involve assisting with cataloguing, inventories, storage/labelling and digitising of 150,000 historic objects, artworks and images. In addition, volunteers can also support our team in the care and conservation of collections on-site and help with associated research topics. We also have opportunities for volunteers to assist at events or invigilate at exhibitions. Volunteering can be either digital/online work for collections database and research work, or site-based at museum/archive area offices located in Hawick, Peebles, Duns or Selkirk. Hours to be arranged by agreement, minimum commitment of 3 months required.

Taking a wide range of information relating to Tweedsmuir, that is in various forms (files, photographs, video) and inputting it into a custom-made Database. This database stores all the material for Tweedsmuir Eco Museum. This role will allow the opportunity to gain new skills and gain confidence in using technology. Role Description : Tweedsmuir Community Company has developed a database to store all the heritage from our community from ancient times to present day. This database allows files, photographs, video and music files to be stored and saved for the future. The materials within the database will be accessible to everyone, through the Eco museum that will be located on the website. We require volunteers to load material that we have collected onto the database and apply the relevant categories to the contents. Skills/Experience Required: Candidates will require a reasonable internet connection, access to a laptop or desktop computer, and have email and internet browser (Chrome is preferred) Candidates will need to be computer literate, and have good reading and writing skills. They would need to be conscientious and have experience of using word processing packages. Full training will be given on how to use the database, and support will be available.

This role is a research-based opportunity to discover heritage materials to be stored within the Tweedmuir Eco Museum. It will be an opportunity to investigate some of the fascinating history of Scotland that has connections to Tweedsmuir, and uncover some of the characters that have played a part in the community of Tweedsmuir. This role will require research online and in other heritage archives to locate new information about the heritage of Tweedmuir. We have already identified various themes that need to be explored, and there are opportunities for individuals to explore their own particular area of interest. There is also the opportunity to interview local residents and collect stories and stories to be included within the database. The database has the functionality to store the recordings of the interviews. Skills & Experience required: Candidates will require a reasonable internet connection, access to a laptop or desktop computer, and have email and internet browser (Chrome is preferred) Candidates will need to be computer literate, and have good reading and writing skills. They would need to be conscientious and have experience of using word processing packages. Candidates would benefit from having some historical knowledge, particularly relating to Scottish Borders History. Experience of online research would be an advantage. Skills in referencing materials. People keen to be involved in interviewing would need to have good personal skills, and an engaging manner. Full training will be given on how to use the database, and support will be available.

This role provides an exciting opportunity to write short stories to be used on the “Discover Tweedsmuir” website, helping to preserve and promote the areas’ history and heritage. Role Description : This role involves researching various events and accounts associated with Tweedsmuir’s history and distilling these into short, engaging stories. These stories will be used on the new “Discover Tweedsmuir” website to provide locals, the wider community and visitors with information on the history, and heritage of Tweedsmuir. These stories will sit within descriptions for local walks to enhance the experience for walkers. They will also be used to give people a flavour of our heritage, encourage people to visit Tweedsmuir, or to explore further using the Eco museum. Much of the information required to write these stories will already be stored within the Heritage database, but candidates may need to do further research. A number of key stories and events have already been identified, but there is scope for candidates to explore topics that particularly interest them, and discuss new ideas within the group. Skills/Experience Required: Candidates will require a reasonable internet connection, access to a laptop or desktop computer, and have email and internet browser (Chrome is preferred) Candidates will need to be computer literate with experience of using word processing packages. They will have an interest in reading, give attention to detail and be able to write clearly and concisely way. An interest in local history and heritage is essential and some knowledge of Scottish Borders History would be advantageous. Full training will be given on how to use the database, and support will be available, including working in small groups.

Bud is Poppyscotland’s brand new vehicle for exploration and learning, a truck that transforms into a mobile community space, comprising a mini poppy factory, micro-museum and with interactive learning opportunities. Bud is an interactive experience that encourages visitors to create their personal remembrance journey through exploring the exhibits. It is helping us keep remembrance relevant all year round. About the opportunity: As a Bud Veteran Volunteer, you will support the delivery of the Bud project when Bud is in your area. Carrying out talks to groups (schools, girl guides, brownies, cubs, cadets etc.) members of the public and community organisations who are visiting Bud, or who you are visiting, actively engage with small groups of visitors, answering questions about Bud and remembrance, taking part in group discussions about the challenges – both positive and negative - faced by the Armed Forces community, to be flexible in the performance of the post and undertake duties requested by the Bud Team, encourage people to complete the on-board evaluation at end of visit, inform people of volunteering opportunities available through Bud project and support the staff team in set up and take down at visits and events. Support staff in the delivery of activities with schools, groups and public visitors.

This role involves editing and proof-reading documents and files within Tweedsmuir Heritage Database. It would be an interesting role for anyone interested in Scottish History, as there is a lot of interesting documents and information stored on our database. Role Description : This role involves checking and editing the materials stored within the heritage database. It will require a structured approach to proof reading and correcting text within documents. It will also require some simple typesetting procedures to allow the information to be easier to read and understand. Skills/Experience Required: Candidates will require a reasonable internet connection, access to a laptop or desktop computer, and have email and internet browser (Chrome is preferred) Candidates will need to be computer literate, and have good reading and writing skills. They would need to be conscientious and have experience of using word processing packages. Candidates would benefit from having some proof reading or copywriting skills Full training will be given on how to use the database, and support will be available.

Our role is to keep the Centre running as a non-profit to provide meeting spaces for outreach work by local organisations. At present, the small Committee is made up of the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and members from Cathedral Session and congregational/non-congregational members. The Secretary keeps the Committee updated by email on agendas, forthcoming meetings, takes notes at meetings and distributes them afterwards. The role also involves being the lead for a team which compiles a rota of volunteers to staff the Centre from April to September each year. This is done by group email to our existing volunteers and hard copy to those not on email asking them to record their availability for the upcoming season. A simple spreadsheet is used to record this work. The team then use the information to compile the rota. Once a year, at the end of the visitor season, the Secretary writes to all volunteers to invite them to a thank-you tea/coffee and light refreshments afternoon. A volunteer Secretary will be able to use and develop their skills in using email, word processing and maintaining a database of volunteers. In addition, the Secretary plays a key role in supporting the Chair and being part of a small and committed team. It is a role which is greatly appreciated.

St Mary's Preservation Trust preserves and cares for a unique and significant old church in Burwick in South Ronaldsay. The church was a community meeting point for hundreds of years and there are lots of good memory’s associated with it. The Trust want this to continue by holding public events (the bonfire, storytelling) and maintaining the building so it survives for future generations. The group is light hearted and easy going. We meet around 4 times a year and have 3 to 4 events for the public each year. You will get to be involved in a historic place with lots of interesting things happening and be part of a friendly group of people. The post of secretary is pretty light touch. The main thing we require is someone to help with the collection of minutes, writing them up and sending them out to the group. Later on, this role can expand to a full secretary position if so desired. This would be organising meetings and chasing up on tasks. So if you’ve never been on a board before this would be a great first role.

St Mary's Preservation Trust preserves and cares for a unique and significant old church in Burwick in South Ronaldsay. The church was a community meeting point for hundreds of years and there are lots of good memory’s associated with it. The Trust want this to continue by holding public events (the bonfire, storytelling) and maintaining the building so it survives for future generations. The group is light hearted and easy going. We meet around 4 times a year and have 3 to 4 events for the public each year. You will get to be involved in a historic place with lots of interesting things happening and be part of a friendly group of people. We require the post of Treasurer. The main responsibility is to prepare the accounts for submission to OSCR, the Scottish charity regulator. You would also keep track of donations and other income and expenditure.