Network Bulletin Winter 2014-15

www.tcv.org.uk/scotland

netw rk bulletin WINTER 2014-15

for TCV Scotland’s community Network

Gaining a sense of nature at Greenability, see page 10

Winter 2014-15

Join in, feel good 1

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme... craft and nature activities such as making ladybird boxes for the garden.

The Devlin Court project has been followed by the installation of another herb garden in a raised bed for more Cairn residents at Royal Scot Court in Bathgate and we’re currently helping to create a sensory garden for another Cairn property, Jubilee House care home, in Edinburgh. The raised beds for the sensory garden will again be built by TCV’s local volunteer group.

We hope all of the raised beds which we’ve built will give pleasure to the Cairn residents for many years to come.

I’d like to give a huge thank you to the Cairn Community Fund which has funded these projects.

With a little help from The Conservation Volunteers, residents of Cairn Housing Association are being given the opportunity to sow herbs and other plants in newly installed raised beds, as outlined by Anna Mayo*, TCV Ageing Well Project Officer: Our first project was at Cairn’s Devlin Court sheltered housing complex in Stirling, where our local volunteer group built a high raised bed as a herb garden so that all of the residents could have access to the herbs without having to bend down. The garden was planted-up with everyone’s favourite culinary herbs including parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, mint, coriander and chives. We also included some more unusual herbs to experiment with, such as lemon verbena, caraway and winter savory which were received with excitement and curiosity by all.

*Anna is a trainee with TCV’s Natural Communities programme, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The residents at Devlin Court were also joined by Claire Mullan, a medical herbalist from Creiff, who ran a workshop on how to use some of the herbs medicinally as teas, oils and vinegars to treat ailments like coughs and colds, insect bites and sunburn.

Mid September saw us all outdoors again having a BBQ party for the residents, friends and family of Devlin Court to celebrate their new herb garden. In the coming spring we will sow seeds for more annual herbs and flowers including basil, coriander and marigold. In the meantime I’ll be working with the residents on other

New Moshi Monsters Gardening Range The Conservation Volunteers has just launched a colourful range of Moshi Monsters gardening tools and seeds, encouraging 6-10 year olds to get gardening and have fun outdoors.

Moshi Monsters is an online game for kids, where they can adopt a friendly monster and play fun, educational activities. The Conservation Volunteers has developed our new Moshi Monsters range to encourage children to bring this popular game to life in their own homes and gardens.

Youngsters can use Moshi Monsters gardening tools such as trowels, spades and forks, as well as specially branded seeds in weird and wonderful varieties such as Tarzan Radish, Meteor Peas and Blood Red Onions! These are supported by online ideas at www.tcv.org.uk/helpingkidsgrow which encourage children to explore and have fun outdoors through gardening and nature activities.

The Moshi Monster gardening range is available at www.tcv.org.uk/shop

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RBS and The Conservation Volunteers join Academy students Staff from RBS and The Conservation Volunteers recently joined students from the RESTART Academy, which is operated within the grounds of historic Carlowrie Castle, near Edinburgh. The castle itself is being run as a notfor-profit social enterprise, and any profits from events will be donated to RESTART* to support the work of the charity in Edinburgh and London.

The Academy delivers employability courses with a horticulture focus for those who have experienced long term unemployment, or for those young people who are at risk of becoming unemployed.

These courses allow people to develop confidence, resilience and skills through taking part in practical work experience.

During the course of 19 November, the grounds at Carlowrie were transformed by a party of RBS Risk staff working with TCV Scotland and Academy students. Normally office based, the RBS team left a fantastic legacy for the Academy students to build upon. An expanse of turf was lifted, rolled up and wheeled off, leaving a foundation for new raised planting beds. These will be used by Academy students as they learn and practice horticulture skills. Two industrial sized bays were also created to hold waste cuttings and materials that will turn into compost to support planting in the castle grounds. In addition, an impressive woodland trail was cleared, dug-out, lined and filled with woodchip to create access to the wider grounds. This was a true win-win on several levels.

Transforming the grounds at Carlowrie Castle.

The facilities created will make a real difference to the Academy and will help those attending its courses and projects to develop their skills. The Academy students present on the 19th were able to collaborate with a group of people they may not have otherwise worked with. And the staff from RBS strengthened their own team bonds, which will help them to work together more efficiently to meet their customers’ needs better.

Rob Skelton, Project Director at the Academy, said: “We have a big vision for the Academy project and Carlowrie Castle to be an example to both businesses and charities that together they can stimulate social change. We value working with TCV as it is an opportunity to demonstrate that symbiotic relationship. We hope that clients coming on corporate social responsibility days and our students can learn from each other and about each other.”

All round it was a fantastic day! *www.restartlives.org

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New Green Gyms

Commission Scotland, with support from Lower Clyde Greenspace and the Friends of Duchess Wood.

East Dunbartonshire, Castle Douglas, Helensburgh, and Glasgow’s Wyndford Estate, are the latest locations for TCV Green Gyms – an opportunity for people to improve their health and well being through some regular outdoor gardening or environmental activities.

For more information contact Anna Hamilton, Green Gym Co-ordinator, on 0141 552 5294, or e-mail a.hamilton@tcv.org.uk

Wyndford Estate Space to Grow The Space to Grow Green Gym is centred on the Wyndford housing estate in Glasgow’s Maryhill area at Wyndford Drive Sheltered Housing and at the Maryhill Hub. The Green Gym’s tasks will vary from week to week but can include general gardening, food growing, wildlife habitat creation and reclaiming greenspaces.

East Dunbartonshire

East Dunbartonshire Green Gym is funded by Building Healthier and Happier Communities – a Scottish Government funded programme, managed by SCVO in partnership with East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action. The East Dunbartonshire Green Gym is also supported by East Dunbartonshire Council.

For more information contact Julie Wilson, Green Gym Co-ordinator, on 0141 276 1785 or 07917 460495, or e-mail julie.wilson@tcv.org.uk.

Castle Douglas The Castle Douglas Green Gym is based at the town’s Activity and Resource Centre (ARC), which caters for people with

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learning difficulties and disabilities. The Green Gym will be working with groups from the ARC and members of the wider community around Castle Douglas. The centre has large grounds with a large polytunnel and some raised beds already in place. Green Gym activities will be based around the vegetable garden and hopefully some of the produce grown will be used in the ARC’s kitchen, which may potentially turn into a community cafe. And, the Green Gym will be involved in other conservation based activities around the grounds.

For more information contact Amanda Malcolm, Space to Grow Project Officer, at 07917 460488, or e-mail a.malcolm@tcv.org.uk PETER MOHAN

The East Dunbartonshire Green Gym is based at Merkland Local Nature Reserve in Kirkintilloch, but it will also be working in a variety of green spaces in neighbouring areas. Julie Wilson, the Green Gym Co-ordinator, says: “We are really excited about starting a Green Gym in East Dunbartonshire. There are so many lovely green spaces in East Dunbartonshire and the Green Gym is a great opportunity to get outdoors, get active and make a difference to the local area. Everyone is welcome to volunteer with the Green Gym and over the next few months we will be doing lots of interesting activities so there will be something for everyone.”

Julie Wilson (front right) and friends at the launch of the East Dunbartonshire Green Gym.

The Space to Grow Green Gym is funded by the Wheatley Group in partnership with Cube Housing Association. Cube tenant Shug Docherty said: “It’s a really good idea.

I’m looking forward to being busy, getting out of the house, into the fresh air and meeting other people. There’s a real need for a project like this to help people learn how to eat properly. I studied cookery at college, so I’m looking forward to growing herbs like coriander for my famous bhuna recipe!”

The Green Gym is funded by NHS Dumfries & Galloway and Dumfries & Galloway Council.

For more information contact Richard Dickens, Green Gym Co-ordinator, on 01556 504019 or 07764 655681, or e-mail r.dickens@tcv.org.uk

Helensburgh Duchess Wood is the regular location for the new Helensburgh Green Gym and offers plenty of opportunities to improve the woodland habitat and wildlife. So, activities will include coppicing and tree thinning and we hope to do some woodland crafts.

The Green Gym is funded by Forestry

Project Officer Amanda Malcolm (centre) flanked by Shug Docherty and June Gwynne during an early bulb planting session.

Green Gyms are open to everyone and no previous experience is required to take part. And tea, coffee and biscuits are provided!

To find out where other Green Gyms are running, visit: www.tcv.org.uk/scotland/ join/green-gyms

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Taking the next step For many people long term volunteering is an important step towards full time employment in the environmental sector. It’s a move that seems to have paid off for 24 year old David Meechan, a TCV volunteer in Glasgow.

Here, David sums up his volunteering experience: LUNA MCDONALD

balance of practical biodiversity work as well as wildlife recording in various areas around Glasgow.

Was it easy to start volunteering?

It was almost effortless starting with TCV due to the warm, friendly nature of Jo Ridley, plus the Conservation Volunteer Leaders and the other volunteers. The atmosphere that TCV creates no matter what the task makes it hard not to want a future with the organisation. I have had a great time with TCV ever since day one and do not see that changing any time soon.

What did you do before this?

I had just graduated from the University of Glasgow with a degree in Geography and knew that I wanted to pursue a career in environmental conservation but I did not really know where to start until I had a careers advisor appointment. I was also working in my local Morrisons but not really feeling I was making any progress until I joined TCV.

David Meechan during a woodland management training course.

How long have you been volunteering with TCV?

I’ve been volunteering with TCV Glasgow since April 2013 and have been a Conservation Volunteer Leader (CVL) since June 2013.

Between October 2013 and March 2014 I was part of TCV’s Get Some Credit programme.

How did you hear about TCV?

I was directed by a careers advisor to www.prospectus.ac.uk as a way of looking for organisations that offer volunteering opportunities for a career in environmental conservation, and that’s how I found out about TCV.

Why did you choose to volunteer with TCV?

TCV was the most inviting organisation listed online and I also received a positive response from Jo Ridley, Volunteer Development Officer, in TCV’s Glasgow office concerning my interest in volunteering. TCV seemed to tick all the boxes I was looking for – an organisation I could learn and thrive with in the outdoors whilst helping various groups on practical conservation tasks. TCV is at the forefront of conservation and has a healthy

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What tasks or projects have you been involved with?

As a Conservation Volunteer Leader I’ve taken part in various biodiversity projects with Glasgow City Council, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Froglife and local allotments and councils. I’ve worked with community groups including Shettleston Community Growing Project and Urban Roots, as well as some ‘Friends of’ groups, and I’ve worked on various school projects building wildlife gardens. I’ve helped organise technical tasks with up to 10 volunteers – path building, wood clearance, fence building etc and I’ve co-led an Employability Award in outdoor learning for a group of 14-17 year olds. I’ve also led Green Gym sessions and have worked with kids in the Discover Me programme which involves child-led play in nature settings. On the promotional side of things I’ve represented TCV at a college volunteer fair and other events and I’ve blogged about the practical tasks undertaken

by TCV Glasgow.

Have you learned any particular skills?

Yes, I’ve learned many new skills and I’ve participated in many training courses, both within TCV and externally – everything from Leadership and Health and Safety, to Chainsaw Use and Recording Biodiversity.

Have you made any friends here?

I have made quite a lot of friends in TCV from my time spent with other CVLs, and have found inspiration and education from members of TCV staff who come from various backgrounds and who have a great depth of knowledge and experience.

Do you think the experience has made you more employable?

Definitely, because in January I begin a new paid role as a TCV Natural Networks Trainee in North Ayrshire. I will be working across various green spaces in North Ayrshire in partnership with RSPB, SWT and North Ayrshire Council. I will be engaging communities in the area to try and get the best use out of local green space for the benefit of biodiversity and the local people.

Do you care more about environmental issues now?

I still care about the environment as much as I have since I was a child, but I am much more in tune with the current issues and main problems facing organisations in the UK’s current economic climate. My knowledge of the environment and wildlife species has also increased dramatically.

What’s been the most significant change for you?

I would say my confidence in leading groups and my ability to carry out projects in environmental conservation. I have also matured when it comes to engaging with people from different backgrounds – from youth groups, those with learning disabilities etc.

Would you recommend volunteering with TCV to others?

I’d strongly recommend volunteering with TCV to anyone who is contemplating a career in environmental conservation. I don’t think any other organisation offers as much variety when it comes to projects – from biodiversity work, wildlife surveying, or technical building projects. On the other hand if people just want to volunteer for a good experience I would also highly recommend TCV for the variety that it offers and the experience you can gain. People genuinely have a fun time when volunteering because we are all likeminded environmentalists who enjoy working in the outdoors, come rain or shine.

How would you sum up your TCV experience?

I would say that my time with TCV has been very enlightening; I have met some inspirational people who have in turn inspired me to be the best I can when it comes to being a leader. I have gained so much experience and training that I would be lost without it. I would say that most of all it has been one of the most enjoyable times of my life.

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Viewpark Conservation Group Viewpark Conservation Group is a community based volunteer group which works to preserve and regenerate local green spaces in Viewpark, North Lanarkshire. schools and nurseries. These involve the support of organisations such as the Forestry Commission Scotland and local Community Police Officers.

The long-gone mansion house.

The group has a particular focus on the Douglas Support Estate, also known to many local people as the Viewpark Glen.

This was once a great estate centred on a large mansion house with ornamental gardens, family mausoleum, chapel and cottages, all of which were surrounded by extensive farmlands and lush woodlands.

The buildings are now gone with only a few ruins visible under the moss and ivy.

And due to industrial development and the expansion of roads and motorways, much of the farmland has gone too. What remains are the woodlands – home to many wildlife species including badgers and kingfishers. Otters have also been seen on the North Calder Water which runs through the Glen. Some of woodland areas are listed as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs).

The group’s Beastie Walks are another popular activity. These began when one of the local nurseries contacted the group to request some help in educating the children about nature and local wildlife.

The group were happy to oblige and the Beastie Walks have become a regular event with members of the group accompanying the nursery staff to educate the children about the trees, plants, insects and other wildlife that live in the Glen.

Other events include litter picks, a river clean-up, history and nature walks, and nature workshops.

Local children protesting trees being felled in the area.

Banyan Play Park

Our resident otter in the North Calder.

Over the years these woodlands have become an important and greatly needed recreational resource to the people of the surrounding Viewpark, Bellshill and Coatbridge communities. Take a walk through the Glen at any time of any day and you’ll meet people walking their dogs, people fishing, cyclists, or people walking and enjoying the natural environment.

Events The group holds various activities to involve the community in improving the Glen and other local green spaces: Tree and bulb planting days are always a great success especially with nearby

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The Viewpark Conservation Group is keen to improve the outdoor recreational opportunities for local children. A major project has been to replace an existing but run down play area between the entrance to the Glen and Banyan Crescent. After researching what the local children and community wanted, the group worked With the local council and Bellshill and District Community Forum to raise the funding required. The result is a modern, bright and fun play area which has been a great success with the local children.

Beautiful Scotland Beautiful Scotland is a long-established community environmental improvement initiative managed by Keep Scotland Beautiful in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society. The initiative supports community groups across Scotland as they seek to improve and enhance their local environment. Viewpark Conservation Group

Archaeology: our metal detecting day. is proud to have won an award every time it has entered the competition.

Looking back As well as the natural heritage, the group is also interested in the Glen’s history and archaeology. Links to the Bronze Age include the previous discovery of three burial urns associated with the Beaker People. A Roman road possibly ran through the estate and research by the group has uncovered possible evidence that the area may have been used to garrison soldiers during the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679, and recent metal detecting in the Glen has unearthed a cannon ball. The mansion house itself had a long history with parts dating back many centuries.

This year, as part of the adopt-a-monument scheme, the group has been working in partnership with Archaeology Scotland to carry out archaeological digs to record, interpret and disseminate information about the Glen’s rich history.

Looking forward Looking ahead, the Viewpark Conservation Group is exploring the possibilities of purchasing the Glen as a community buyout and develop it as a Community and Nature Park.

Keeping in touch The group has recently joined the world of social media by creating a Facebook page which allows the group to showcase its work as well as keeping its 1400 members and supporters up-to-date and informed about group events. www.facebook.com/Douglassupport This article has been adapted from a booklet produced by the Viewpark Conservation Group.

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PHOTOS: FORESTRY COMMISSION SCOTLAND

Chestnut Fund Two Scottish groups have recently received support through the TCV administered Chestnut Fund: Friends of Hailes Orchard and Woodland in Edinburgh received a start-up grant to help pay for their insurance cover, whilst Renfrewshire Environmental and Restoration Group received a support grant to help pay for tools.

Details of the Chestnut Fund are available at: www.tcv.org.uk/community

Training news

Spooky goings on

By Claire Quinn, Community Engagement Officer The Seven Lochs Wetland Park played host to a spooky woodland lantern walk this Halloween. The Park straddles the boundaries of Glasgow and North Lanarkshire and this particular event was held in the woods around Bishop Loch, on the edge of Easterhouse. Here, the park staff teamed up with Forestry Commission Scotland, Paths for All and Provanhall House to host the second annual Halloween event which around 300 local people attended, which was a fantastic turnout. There was fun for all the family with a story teller, fire dancers, and an enchanted forest plus the woodland lantern walk itself. Encouraging people to use their local green spaces is a key aim of the Seven Lochs Wetland Park and organised community events, such as the lantern walk, are a great way to get local people together to see these places in a whole new light. By organising community events we hope to change perceptions of the Easterhouse woodlands and give local people the confidence to visit them with friends or family. Keep an eye out for future family events, guided walks and volunteering opportunities at www.sevenlochs.org

For up-to-date details of TCV Scotland training courses and news of other learning events, awards, funding opportunities etc, sign-up to our monthly eBulletin at www.tcv.org.uk/scotland

Welcome Over the past few months we’ve

welcomed the following groups to the TCV Scotland Community Network: Ayr Students Conservation Squad Doune Community Woodland Group Friends of Hailes Orchard and Woodland Kilmardinny Pals Peebles CAN Torrance Community Initiative

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Northern exposure

Pupils from Keiss Primary collecting Marram grass.

A hardy group of TCV staff and volunteers recently completed a major sand dune stabilisation project, close to the Scottish mainland’s most northerly point.

of fencing was erected, 140,000 holes dug, with an equal number of Marram tufts planted – totalling approximately 1,000,000 individual Marram plants!

Over a six week period in autumn, the TCV team worked at Wester, Caithness, on the coast between Wick and John O’Groats.

The sand dunes here were encroaching on the operations of the fabrication site operated by Subsea 7.

Organising a project on such an exposed site in the far north of the country at this time of year was a real challenge, but in the event the weather was relatively kind and only three days had to be cancelled due to bad conditions.

The challenge for the TCV team was to erect lines of fencing and to transplant many thousands of Marram grass ‘tufts’ from nearby dunes. The combined effect of the fencing and Marram planting was to trap and hold the sand, so stabilising the dunes. This is a well established technique used on shifting dune systems throughout the UK. The statistics from the Wester project were highly impressive – 500 yards

Thank you Thanks are due to everyone who was involved in this major project which was co-ordinated by Graeme Anderson, TCV Operations Manager, and Rob Thomas, Volunteer Development Officer from our Inverness office. The majority of the work was carried out by a core team of some of Rob’s regular volunteers, so particular

Marram matters Swathes of grey-green Marram grass are a familiar sight on the coastal dune systems around the UK. Marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) is one of the Xerophytes, which are plants that can withstand the arid conditions found in deserts and free draining sandy beaches. Marram was once used for roof thatching, a practice so widespread in the 17th century that the removal of Marram and other plants had the effect of destabilising dunes with sand blowing inland to bury farmland and even buildings. In 1695 the practice was therefore banned by an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

The technicalities of dune restoration work, including Marram planting, are covered in Sand Dunes, one of TCV’s in-depth handbooks – available for £9.99 plus p&p from www.tcv.org.uk/shop

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thanks to Linda Taylor, Duncan Fraser and Matt Darby, plus local volunteer Charlie Bain. And Inverness Project Officer Frankie du Toit was also on hand for much of the time. Rob was full of admiration for their fantastic input: “Their work ethic was incredible and the effort they put in was truly remarkable.”

The Inverness team’s efforts were supplemented by other TCV staff and volunteers – Chris Peach, Alyson Hunter, Anna Hamilton, Julie Wilson, Scott Gardner and John Johnstone, who also brought son Adam and his friend Carol Monger. And Kirsty Rosie, East Caithness Ranger, organised the visit of a group of enthusiastic pupils from the local Keiss Primary School, who all enjoyed their time Marram planting.

And finally, many thanks to the staff of Subsea 7 for being such friendly and appreciative hosts.

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Gaining accreditation learning. The Volunteering Skills Award is designed to accredit the tasks that a leader already carries out, providing volunteers with a recognised qualification for carrying out the practical skills gained through their volunteering experience.

This award also aims to provide an opportunity for volunteer leaders to reflect on their learning whilst volunteering, and addressing skills gaps needed to gain employment. This award is open to volunteer leaders in any sector, not just environmental organisations. And, there are no age limits, so this award may appeal to both young people and adults, including those who are long term unemployed.

And Get Some Credit TCV Scotland is increasingly delivering accredited learning for groups and organisations who wish to give those they work with a qualification. TCV Scotland is a registered centre with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). Our accredited sessions are predominantly delivered outdoors with each course having an outdoor or environmental focus. We are particularly experienced at supporting vulnerable groups to gain accredited learning. Most of our training options involve candidates taking part in practical, fun activities outdoors, with minimal classroom or writing time.

So, what’s on offer?

hard to reach young people. Through practical activities, candidates can develop employability skills and self-awareness to help them recognise their own strengths and the contribution they can make to society. The award is made up of two units which can be run over a flexible period.

One unit covers employability whilst the other unit focuses on the environment and is delivered through the improvement of local green spaces.

Volunteering Skills Award (SCQF Level 5) This award is aimed at volunteer leaders who would benefit from complementing their volunteering with formal accredited

Whilst the above awards are delivered

by TCV on behalf of other organisations, Get Some Credit is TCV Scotland’s own accreditation programme for young people aged 16-24. The young folk typically join one of TCV’s volunteer groups for two days per week over a period of six months, during which they gain practical experience and skills in a variety of outdoor locations.

They also attend a series of training courses covering a wide range of topics including rural skills, woodland management, tool maintenance, and First Aid.

Further information:

If you or your organisation are interested in any of these awards, please contact Denise Millan at d.millan@tcv.org.uk or telephone 0131 664 6170.

Employability in the Outdoors (SCQF Level 4) This is a unique and outdoor delivered introduction to the world of work for those who are unsure about how to gain and sustain employment. Training is delivered over five themed days and additional units in Work Experience and Enterprise can be added to the award. The award is flexible and can be delivered across a timescale to suit the organisation and its clients. This award has successfully been delivered with a range of organisations including Youth Vision, Redhall Walled Garden, and the Scottish Waterways Trust.

Steps to Work Award (SCQF Levels 2-4) This award is aimed at secondary school pupils and fills an identified gap in the education of vulnerable, disengaged and

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Great Greenability Access to nature and the outdoors can and should be available to everyone, including people with disabilities. That was the message from TCV Scotland’s successful Greenability Conference held in late October at Donaldson’s School, Linlithgow.

Further workshops planned: Friday 16 January 2015 TCV Scotland Edinburgh Office, The Granary, 44 Mortonhall Gate, Edinburgh EH16 6TJ. 10am – 1pm Forest Skills & Cooking Outdoors Simple steps to enjoying food in the outdoors, plus fire lighting and woodland activities.

2pm – 5pm Green Gym Taster Workshop What are the benefits, opportunities and organisational aspects of running a Green Gym. Wednesday 25 March 2015 10am – 1pm – TCV Scotland Edinburgh Office, The Granary, 44 Mortonhall Gate, Edinburgh EH16 6TJ.

Over 130 people attended the conference representing a wide range of environmental and disability sector organisations. They heard from a range of speakers from Greenability’s partner organisations – TCV Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, ENABLE Scotland and Sense Scotland.

Representatives from the Big Lottery Fund and others were on hand to highlight how and where to apply for funding to make things happen. And, also lending her support was local MSP Sarah Boyack.

Much of the conference was actually spent outdoors in the school’s extensive grounds with delegates experiencing a range of activities including nature play and games, outdoor cooking, growing tips, using wild berries and herbs, and how we can use our senses (see front cover) to explore the natural environment around us.

These sessions gave a taste of the outdoor activities possible for people with a range of disabilities.

Everyone came away from the conference brimming with ideas, inspiration and most importantly, valuable new contacts with which to work in the future.

What next?

We see the Greenability conference as a place we start to build relationships between those working in the environmental and disability sectors. Over the winter months TCV Scotland, with Sense Scotland and RNIB, has organised four further half day workshops in response to the popularity of some of the conference workshop sessions. The first workshop – Exploring Nature Play (pictured below) was held on Tuesday 2 December.

Nature Recording (Citizen Science) Citizen Science is a great way for people to engage with the local environment and make a difference by collecting and recording vital information about the world around us.

In this workshop we will provide you with the skills and confidence to start using Citizen Science with your group and try a number of suitable recording activities.

There is no charge for these workshops. For further details and booking go to bit.ly/TCVScotlandTrg

The conference’s spirit was summed up by Julie McElroy, a remarkable young woman who outlined how her own disabilities haven’t prevented her undertaking an incredible range of outdoor adventures at home and abroad. This has included pioneering the Disabilities Wilderness Initiative with the National Trust for Scotland, and which aims to encourage more people with disabilities to access woodlands and green spaces and develop a meaningful connection to the beautiful natural landscapes Scotland has to offer.

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The series of workshops will be accompanied by a resource pack which will include useful websites, activities, books and information relevant to developing outdoor activities. In addition we will be building on the partnerships and activities we have been exploring with key organisations including ENABLE, RNIB, Cornerstone, Visibility Scotland, and find new partners to develop our range of opportunities which include natural play, forest skills and nature recording.

We believe that everyone regardless of age, background or disability should have access to nature and the outdoors, and we are committed to finding ways to remove barriers (real and perceived) to engagement and enjoyment of the outdoors. If you are interested in working with us, or in having TCV deliver activities for your group, do please get in touch with Julia Duncan, Learning Manager at j.duncan@tcv.org.uk

They said it: The response of those who attended the Greenability conference was very positive!

There was a good buzz about the event and great to have environmental and disability people joined up.

Thank you very much – really inspiring.

Gained lots of ideas, practical advice, resources and pointers as to where to go next.

Everyone very enthusiastic and inspirational. A great day.

Had a great experience and met a lot of interesting people.

Love, love, loved it!

The funding workshop has been fantastic!

Really informative and enjoyable day.

Greenability delegates get a taste of outdoor activities.

Very informative, thought provoking and beneficial.

Thank you.

Great day – great learning opportunity.

Overall the three of us had a very enjoyable, active day.

Great atmosphere and good fun!

Thoroughly enjoyable and informative day. I would love to do it again.

Learned that anything is possible.

Sarah Boyack, MSP, and conference speaker Julie McElroy, with TCV’s Julia Duncan and Callum Sinclair.

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I’m much more confident in working with people with disabilities.

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Where to find us

The winning entries were recently announced for the 2014 Focus Environment photography competition for Scotland’s secondary school pupils.

By combining imagination, observation and photographic flair the winning and commended entrants win cash prizes for themselves and their schools. Focus Environment is an exciting way of encouraging young people to use their creative talent and take an interest in Scotland’s natural heritage. The competition is sponsored and organised by Chevron in association with TCV Scotland and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

View the 2014 competition’s winning and commended entries at www.focusenvironment.com This fantastic and suitably seasonal photo won Rory Abernethy first prize in the Wildlife and Habitats category for 15-18 year olds. Rory is a pupil at McLaren High School, Callander.

The Network Bulletin is produced three times annually and contains news and features on Community Network member groups, plus TCV Scotland projects, programmes and volunteers.

Long Term Volunteering FEVA Forum Exchange 29 January 10am – 1pm Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow

vimeo.com/ conservationvolunteers

Many organisations, including TCV Scotland, provide opportunities for people to volunteer ‘full-time’ for periods of 6 – 12 months. What are the benefits of long-term volunteering – for both the volunteer and their host organisation? Hear the experiences from both sides at the latest Forum Exchange – events which bring together people working and volunteering in the environmental and related sectors.

The experience of one of TCV Scotland’s own Community Volunteer Leaders is given on page 5.

twitter.com/tcvscotland #JoinInFeelGood

The programme of four Forum Exchanges annually is funded by Scottish Natural Heritage and facilitated by TCV Scotland and the Forum for Environmental Volunteering Activity (FEVA).

Follow us online8

facebook.com/tcvscotland The Network Bulletin is published by TCV Scotland.

Views and opinions expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or of The Conservation Volunteers.

Editor Graham Burns E g.burns@tcv.org.uk T 0141 552 5294 ©The Conservation Volunteers 2014. Charity registered in Scotland SC039302, and England 261009. Green Gym is a Registered Trade Mark.

Recycled paper

The Forum Exchange is free to attend and can be booked at bit.ly/TCVScotlandTrg

Get ready to Grow Wild Grow Wild has thousands of free seed kits to share so people can transform their local spaces into beautiful, inspiring and colourful wild flower havens.

Join one of the UK’s biggest ever seed sowing campaigns and help to create over one million square metres of wild flowers in spring 2015. Different native seed mixes are available for the separate nations of the UK. Registration for seed kits is open now and closes on 14 February 2015, with a view to their being sent out in late March, in time for spring sowing.

Register at www.growwilduk.com/register-seed-kit

Castle Douglas Green Gym Dumfries & Galloway T 07764 655681 E r.dickens@tcv.org.uk c/o Highland Birchwoods Littleburn Road Munlochy Near Inverness IV8 8NN T 01463 811 967 E inverness@tcv.org.uk Unit M1 143 Charles Street Glasgow G21 2QA T 0141 552 5294 F 0141 552 0418 E glasgow@tcv.org.uk Glasgow Life Green Gym Blairtummock House 20 Baldinnie Road Easterhouse Glasgow G34 9EE T 0141 276 1785 E Julie.WilsonGL@glasgow.gov.uk Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre Wood Street Grangemouth FK3 8LH T 01324 471600 F 01324 471600 E jupiter-nursery@tcv.org.uk St Joseph’s Academy Grassyards Road Kilmarnock KA3 7SL T 01563 526144 ext.2067 E scotland-education@tcv.org.uk The Granary 44 Mortonhall Gate Edinburgh EH16 6TJ T 0131 664 6170 F 0131 664 0583 E edinburgh@tcv.org.uk TCV UK Head Office Sedum House Mallard Way Doncaster DN4 8DB T 01302 388883 F 01302 311531 E information@tcv.org.uk [NetBul-Winter-14-15/GB/RB]

Focussing on the Environment

TCV Scotland Head Office 24 Allan Park Stirling FK8 2QG T 01786 479697 F 01786 465359 E scotland@tcv.org.uk

TCV Scotland’s community, health and environmental volunteering activities are supported by:

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