Tcv scotland bulletin spring 2015

www.tcv.org.uk/scotland

netw rk bulletin SPRing 2015

for TCV Scotland’s community Network

Join in, feel good …it’s only natural

Spring 2015

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…it’s only natural

Two events have recently showcased the successful Natural Talent and Natural Communities programmes organised by The Conservation Volunteers and partner organisations.

Promoting Natural Talent

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In 2015, with support from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Natural Talent has expanded across the UK, aiming to increase expertise nationwide to protect our less well known wildlife species and create awareness of the habitats that support them. The new trainees will aim to increase the capacity of volunteers and communities to play an active role in surveying, mapping and taking action to increase the biodiversity value of their local places.

Keeping an eye on the bigger picture One of the current Natural Talent trainees is Frances Stoakley, who is studying ‘Lichens as indicators of air quality’. Early in her traineeship Frances took a winter walk in the Midlothian countryside: “When your office is situated in a glorious setting such as the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), it is understandable that you may not feel the need to venture further afield. However, in order to really begin to get to grips with epiphytic lichens – that’s those that grow on trees – it’s a good idea to head out into a really wooded area. Such as Roslin Glen, for example.

This stunning glen is not only home to the mysterious 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel of Da Vinci Code fame, but it is also and in my mind much more importantly, home to

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FRANCES STOAKLEY

n 27 March, people from throughout the country converged on the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to celebrate the work of the Natural Talent programme, which has run in Scotland and Northern Ireland since 2006. With funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s ‘Skills for the Future’ programme, Natural Talent has worked with over 50 conservation organisations to support 44 Natural Talent trainees to develop the expertise to fill skills gaps across the UK conservation sector. So far the programme has been a fantastic success with a very high percentage of the trainees moving on to full time employment in the environmental sector, and 8 furthering their studies at PhD level in their chosen specialism.

Frances Stoakley identifying lichen. an extraordinarily beautiful array of lichens.

Here in the glen, lichens are almost literally dripping from the trees. In this leafless winter woodland-scape the delicate shades of green and gold, yellow and grey and brown of the lichens are the rich winter foliage, covering branches, twigs and trunks.

These amazing organisms – which actually consist of two completely different organisms (a fungi and an algae or cyanobacteria), work together in symbiosis enabling each other to survive and thrive, and play an essential role in this and many more, if not all ecosystems. Often overlooked and undervalued, these humble yet extraordinarily complex organisms are an essential component in providing healthy ecosystems.

Lichens can not only fix nitrogen, store carbon, provide food and shelter for a number of other species, and play a role in the formation of soil and succession of plant growth, but they can also be used to indicate ecosystem health by being indicators of air quality. This is because lichens are highly sensitive to pollution, and the absence or presence of certain lichen species can tell us a lot about the health of our local environments.

As they are sensitive to pollution, lichens are good indicators of air quality.

Now stood here in Roslin Glen surrounded by the beauty of nature – albeit with my eye to a tree branch, but with my mind on the wonder of the biodiversity of the planet and its ability to provide us with clean air, as well as of course clean water and food – it is easier to connect all these things up. BUT, what about connecting with this bigger picture if I’m stood in the middle of the city, surrounded by the urban jungle? And how can lichens as indicators of pollution play a role in helping me reconnect with the planet and the benefits and services it provides?

These are big questions for me to ponder as I make my way back to the centre of Edinburgh and the RBGE Cryptogam Department, pockets stuffed with lichens to study under the powerful eye of a microscope…”

The other current Scottish-based Natural Talent trainee is Susan Miller, located at Heriot Watt University, and studying ‘Marine invasive non-native species’. You can catch-up with Susan and the other Natural Talent trainees throughout the UK with their regular blogs at blogs.tcv.org.uk/natural-talent

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Developing Natural Communities

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ore than 70 people packed into the Stirling Boys Club hall on 26 February to showcase the work of TCV’s Natural Communities programme which aimed to connect people with their local environment. The programme was initiated in response to gaps in environmental engagement skills within the natural heritage sector in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Since 2011 the Natural Communities trainees have been based with 24 partner organisations and have worked with over 38,000 volunteers, improved more than 130 local greenspaces, and developed confidence and skills within 100 communities.

The programme has been supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage. The Natural Communities approach can simply be defined as working together to understand, celebrate and protect our natural heritage.

The Natural Communities trainees have been involved in an incredibly diverse range of activities and events: conservation projects, local wildlife open days, natural play sessions, community planting projects, environmental arts and crafts… just one example of the programme’s innovative approach is provided by Ami Crozier:

Ami’s blanket approach Natural Communities trainee Ami Crozier was based with Butterfly Conservation and the main focus of her work was to raise awareness of the importance of Wester Moss, which lies beside the former mining village of Fallin, near Stirling. Wester Moss is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and an excellent example of a lowland raised bog – a distinctive and nationally threatened habitat. The Moss is home to a surprising variety of wildlife, including the Large Heath butterfly, which is our only bog specialist butterfly.

Undoubtedly Ami’s most unusual project was the creation of a knitted ‘bog blanket’, as she explains: “I had the idea of making a blanket to depict the diversity of colours, plants and wildlife found on Wester Moss. I set up a

Spring 2015

Celebrating the work of the Natural Communities trainees at their showcase event in Stirling. regular knitting club in Fallin library which has up to 12 members. These ladies and other members of the local community eventually knitted 170 squares, each 8x8 inches. The blanket will be displayed in the library where it will hopefully attract the attention of others and encourage people to discover Wester Moss for themselves and will also be used as an interpretation tool at Butterfly Conservation events. As there’s only a limited amount of space in the library we ended up using just 35 of the squares for the blanket. The remaining squares are being donated to ‘Knit a Square’, which is a charity that knits warm blankets for orphaned children in Africa.

all encompassing community engagement project, and we have a beautiful and very unique ‘bog blanket’ as a result, which will help highlight the importance of Wester Moss throughout the local community.“ A flavour of what Natural Communities has achieved can be gained through the trainees’ archive of blogs at: blogs.tcv.org.uk/natural-communities

Where next?

The Natural Communities approach is being shared by The Conservation Volunteers with a range of new partner organisations and communities across the UK through the new Natural Networks training programme.

The Scottish-based trainees are: Catherine Cumming – Based with Edinburgh City Council and working on its Living Landscape project.

Richard Hassall – Based at the James Hutton Institute (Aberdeen) and working across Aberdeenshire as part of the North East Biodiversity Partnership.

The ladies are still attending the club and they’re now knitting for cat and dog shelters, plus another local charity.

The project has been a joy to run and a great success, perhaps more successful than anyone expected. I’ve met some amazing people, learned new skills, and had the opportunity to manage a project from start to finish. It’s been a wonderful,

Rebecca Nicol – Based at Central Scotland Green Network Trust (Shotts) and working on conservation projects across the Central Belt.

Nik Turner – Based with Scottish Wildlife Trust (Cumbernauld) and working on its Living Landscape project.

David Meechan – Based at TCV (Kilmarnock) and working with RSPB, SWT and North Ayrshire Ranger Service.

Keep up with them all at: blogs.tcv.org.uk/ natural-networks

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Arthur’s Seat provides the backdrop to the Figgate Park.

Friendly Figgate

For more information about our beautiful park and the work of the Friends group, please visit www.figgatepark.org.uk

A recent addition to TCV’s Community Network is the Friends of Figgate Park. The information provided here by the group gives a flavour of the park and the Friends’ efforts to maintain this gem of urban greenspace.

The Figgate Park lies in the east of Edinburgh, four miles or so from the city centre. It is almost exactly a kilometre long, following the line of the Figgate Burn that gives it its name. At the east end the burn is partly diverted into a large pond, which used to be a clay pit, supplying clay to the potteries in Portobello. It is now home to a dazzling array of wildlife and has a wonderful mix of wild areas at either end of the flowing burn, and large grassy expanses, with a few picnic tables for those spending a little more time. And at all times there are fabulous views back to the peak of Arthur’s Seat against the skyline.

getting more of the general public involved, as well as the businesses and schools lying on its edges.

There are regular litter pick weekends which, while one of the less desirable jobs, go a long way to maintaining the unspoilt

feel of the park. And after the high winds over the last couple of years took down a number of mature trees, a grant of 420 saplings was received from the Woodland Trust. Planting of these saplings proved one of the more sought-after tasks, and as well as the usual volunteers the Friends

The park is well used by locals: walking dogs, playing with their kids; but also by people from further afield who recognise this as one of the most pleasant parks in the city to stroll around. This is helped, in part, by an active Friends committee and regular volunteers, who aim to keep the park tidy and as free of litter as possible.

But it’s not just a case of maintaining the status quo for plans are afoot, of both expected and novel natures, to enhance the area for those who use the park, and

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Two of the regular litter pickers.

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ALL PHOTOS: FRIENDS OF FIGGATE PARK

Committee worked with a Community Payback scheme, who planted an astonishing 240 saplings in one day. This brought a sense of pride, demonstrated when one committee member later in the evening, when moving one to a more favourable location was challenged by one of the young men who had planted that very sapling.

The local schools are getting involved as well. With three schools on the edges of the park, and with it being used for science demonstrations or PE lessons, it makes perfect sense. ‘Art Under the Bridge’ is a project the Friends group sought funding for from the local Neighbourhood Partnership. The project will seek ideas from pupils for a mural in a neglected and graffititagged underpass in the park. Members of the committee, together with the Park Rangers, are taking part in school assembly talks about the park, engaging with the youngsters about the history and ecology of our wonderful urban greenspace, and to instill the importance of caring for it and appreciating what it has to offer.

We also hope to learn from pupils what is special to them about the Figgate Park, and that the art works submitted by them will be shown in ‘pop up’ art exhibitions in the local area. This artwork will in turn inform and inspire our professional artist, Ian Tayac, to transform the unloved underpass, which will hopefully then become a positive focus of conversation in our community.

Bordering the park is a large train depot, operated by Virgin East Coast.

The Craigentinny Depot, as it is known,

The boardwalk – especially popular with children.

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Friends’ volunteers planting an Aronia Nero.

The recently planted butterfly patch.

The Kingfisher - an occasional visitor.

celebrated its centenary year in 2014, and in their 101st year the operators are taking a more active role in the park such as helping with clean-ups, but also making a large community bird feeding station and a wildlife observation bench from old train wheel setts.

overhead. There are numerous rabbits in the park, which at some point in time have been infiltrated by escaped domestic bunnies, leading to a large number of jet black versions, as well as the occasional ginger. The rabbits in turn lead to foxes, and at one extreme of the park is a healthy family group that can be seen sunbathing in an inaccessible area that is perfectly visible from the roadside.

Helping wildlife in the park is a key aim, both for the sake of that wildlife, but also for people who visit the park. New nest boxes for small birds were recently put in place by the Friends group and a large butterfly patch has just been created with a grant from Keep Scotland Beautiful, the flowers enticing with nectar once they are in bloom. Many birds already make their home in the Figgate, with breeding Mute Swans, Mallards, Tufted Ducks, Coots and Moorhens patrolling the waters. At any time in the park people can be seen feeding the ducks (and inadvertently the seagulls!), with a viewing platform at one end of the pond, and a long wooden boardwalk at the other proving especially popular with children.

A Kingfisher can occasionally be seen making its way along the Burn, as well as stopping to fish; Grey Herons hunt for frogs; and every now and then there will be an unexpected spectacular sight, such as last year when a migrating Osprey passed

The Friends group was recently awarded a grant from the TCV administered Chestnut Fund, that helped to fund the insurance premium required when engaging volunteers and executing conservation activities in the park. Small grants like this are a great help to community groups like ours to help cover necessary cost, and it was also very simple to apply for which is an added bonus for any voluntary group.

The Figgate Park Friends is a growing organisation, with people old and new to the area looking to get involved, as they see more work to enhance the park being undertaken. This brings the community together into a natural, and beautiful, central focus point.

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CHARLOTTE NEARY

Going Dutch

What’s new?

Some of TCV’s training courses are hardy annuals, including First Aid, Leadership, Fundraising etc, but each year we freshen things up with new topics. For example, in the coming months we have an evening ’Introduction to British Bats’, being held in Linlithgow, and another new topic of ‘Invasive Non-native Species – Identification and Control’ is covered in a course at Callendar Park, Falkirk.

ESPEN HELLEND

LEFT: Jantien de Loor (kneeling) getting to grips with hedgelaying.

Above: the finished product – a neatly layed hedge.

Jantien de Loor …came all the way from the Netherlands to attend a two-day hedgelaying course

Join us for an evening to learn more about bats, including the tiny Pipistrelle, the UK’s smallest.

holidays. And I loved hedges and decided I wanted to do a course in laying them some day…”

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raining courses have long been one of The Conservation Volunteers’ most popular activities, giving people the opportunity to brush up on existing skills, or to learn something completely new. Some people travel a long way if a course topic particularly takes their fancy. A recent example is Jantien de Loor who came all the way from the Netherlands to attend a two-day hedgelaying course, held south of Edinburgh, immediately followed by a similar event organised by the Pentland Hills Rangers.

So, why did Jantien make such an effort?

– “Because it was a long time wish and I knew TCV did this sort of course. I am a volunteer in conservation activities in the Netherlands with Landschap Erfgoed Utrecht: conservation of woodrows, ponds, pollarding etc, and pruning of high fruit trees and the conservation of old orchards.

We have hedges here and there is even a hedgelaying championship. I learned a lot and Peter Holmes is a skilled and experienced hedgelayer and trainer. Many years ago when we were on holiday in Wales I found out about the conservation camps of (B)TCV. I was then active in a Dutch organisation for conservation

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Jantien wasn’t alone in enjoying the course. Charlotte Neary of the Water of Leith Conservation Trust blogged: “The hedgelaying course led by Peter Holmes and TCV was amazing. Such a satisfying countryside craft to practice. Laying an overgrown hedge reinvigorates the hedge and stimulates massive re-growth. Each hedge plant is partially cut through at the base and the remainder, still connected to the roots, acts as a hinge allowing each plant to be woven around the stakes. This creates a living and stock proof fence.

It creates an attractive landscape feature and increases the functioning lifespan of the hedge. The dense re-growth increases shelter value and has conservation benefits leading to habitat improvement, particularly for nesting birds. Hopefully this new skill will be put to good use along the Water of Leith keeping litter, rather than livestock, out of the river.”

Tackling the non-native invasive species himalayan balsam on Corstorphine Hill, Edinburgh.

Details of TCV Scotland training courses are available at: www.bit.ly/TCVScotlandTrg

Tailored training In addition to our regular programme of environmentally based training courses, TCV can organise training events tailored to the specific needs of community groups, voluntary organisations, local authorities etc.

For further details, contact Julia Duncan: j.duncan@tcv.org.uk or 07843 069559.

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“I’d rather be here than anywhere” PHOTOS: JULIA DUNCAN

“I’d rather be here than anywhere” – was the enthusiastic comment from one young person during a willow weaving session with the Restart project at Carlowrie Estate, near Edinburgh. Another Restart student added: “Not many things impress me but this really does.” Carlowrie was just one of the locations used during the recent TCV Scotland Winter Woodlands Project.

Having access to our green spaces and woodlands is something most of us take for granted but for many people, especially those with disabilities, this can be a difficult, even daunting prospect. The Winter Woodlands Project, with support from Forestry Commission Scotland, was designed to provide such opportunities.

During February and March 2015, 21 woodland activity sessions were held involving children, adults and support staff/volunteers from eight organisations representing a wide range of disability: Sense Scotland, Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Deaf Action, Scottish Autism, Restart, i-Women RNIB, Caledonia Clubhouse, and The Yard.

According to their interests and abilities, the project’s participants enjoyed a wide range of hands-on activities including tree planting, woodland management, bird and birdsong identification, tree identification, nature recording, outdoor cooking, bush craft, nature play, and environmental arts & crafts. The emphasis was on providing fun, stimulating, active and exciting experiences, not forgetting the important social aspect of getting away from the normal daily routine and doing something different with friends – old and new.

In addition to the benefits for the participants, an important element of the project was to grow the confidence and skills of the support staff in delivering future woodland based activities.

The Winter Woodlands Project was organised by Julia Duncan of TCV, who said: “Despite the sometimes challenging (freezing!) conditions only one of the outdoor sessions had to be re-scheduled.

The amazing range of activities was enjoyed by a total of 233 adults and children, which was fantastic and far more than we originally expected. The project was a great success and something we would like to build upon in the future. Many thanks to everyone who took part, and to Forestry Commission Scotland for funding it.”

The Winter Woodlands Project was developed following the successful Greenability conference held in Linlithgow in October 2014. The conference brought together organisations from the environmental and disability sectors and highlighted the need for people with disabilities to have greater opportunities to benefit from outdoor activities.

The Winter Woodlands Project is an example of what can be achieved when disability and environmental organisations work together.

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They said it: “I’ve really enjoyed it. Can we do it next week?”

Fiona, service user with Scottish Autism

“Great to learn a new skill.”

Restart member

“I’ve really enjoyed today. I’ve had such a lovely time and I loved hearing the robin and the great tit, and meeting the yew tree.”

Freda, service user with Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

“The kids enjoyed the craft activity and the bushcraft/firemaking.”

Parent, Deaf Action

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Creating Space to Grow in Maryhill

By Amanda Malcolm, Green Gym Co-ordinator.

Green-fingered tenants have been super busy over the last couple of months attending our Space to Grow Green Gym sessions within the Wyndford Estate in Maryhill, Glasgow.

The volunteers are a hardy bunch working in all weathers to help our two community gardens take shape and eventually blossom! One garden is located at the Wyndford Drive Sheltered Housing and the other is at the Maryhill Hub. Tasks undertaken in both gardens include building a compost bin from recycled wooden pallets and permeable lining, and building and installing a variety of raised beds and vertical gardens. These have already been used to sow onions, garlic, rhubarb, mizuna, broad beans, leeks and radish! Not only have the volunteers been planting a diverse range of vegetables, they’ve also planted an array of bulbs and wildflower seeds to brighten up the gardens and attract wildlife. So, much welcome colour will be provided by bluebells, wild daffodils, irises and crocuses.

Cube Housing Association tenants have also started attending garden and healthy eating-themed courses, including an Introduction to Herbs, and are taking part in an Urban Roots* six week cooking

Space to Grow members at Wyndford Drive Sheltered Housing. From left to right: Michelle Devlin, Mariam Elsadig, Derek Laverie, Amanda Malcolm, William Pearson, June Gwynne, Siobhan Dowd and Anna Mayo.

course, learning how to cook healthy recipes with our very own harvest.

know anything about gardening to get involved.

As well as the Green Gyms, we will engage with a local primary school over the spring and summer months to promote seed growing activities and to bring the pupils to our gardens to learn and experience food growing and healthy eating activities outdoors.

The Green Gym gardening sessions take place on Mondays (11am – 2pm) at 9 Wyndford Drive, and on Fridays (11am – 2pm) at the Maryhill Hub on Wyndford Road.

So, we’re very busy in the gardens and will be getting much busier preparing for the growing season. We’d love new volunteers to join our groups, and you don’t need to

For details, email Amanda Malcolm, Green Gym Co-ordinator, at a.malcolm@tcv.org.uk or phone on 07917 460488. *www.urbanroots.org.uk

The Castle Douglas Green Gym has been busy over the past few months but new volunteers are always welcome. The Green Gym meets in the grounds of the Castle Douglas Activity and Resource Centre (ARC). Much of the group’s activities over winter were held in the centre’s polytunnel but with spring upon us the group will be doing a lot more outdoors in the centre’s gardens. Project Officer Richard Dickens is keen to see some new faces, as he told the Galloway News: “The idea is to get people of all ages to help. It can be used as a social thing and for people to learn how to do gardening. The Green Gym helps service users meet new people as part of the social element. It’s also good for young people who want work experience if they are thinking of going into horticulture or something like that.”

Rebecca Pflanz of NHS Dumfries & Galloway added:

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GALLOWAY NEWS

Welcome to the ARC

Pictured ready for action are members of the Castle Douglas Green Gym. From left to right: Andrew Corson (volunteer), Richard Dickens (Green Gym Project Officer), Brian Shearer (Castle Douglas ARC Gardener), Amie Wrightson (volunteer), Andrew Carnochan (volunteer), Rebecca Pflanz (NHS Dumfries & Galloway), and David Bryce (volunteer).

“From the service users’ point of view being outside and socialising is something they enjoy. Getting new people in to help will bring benefits for them. And we all know the benefits of green spaces for mental health.”

The Castle Douglas Green Gym is funded by Dumfries & Galloway Council and NHS Dumfries & Galloway. Anyone interested in volunteering with the group should contact Richard Dickens on 01556 504019 or 07764 655681. All welcome!

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University staff tackle prickly problem

Greenock and the Clyde Estuary provide the impressive backdrop for the University gorse clearers, led by TCV’s Chris Peach (standing third from left).

Staff from The University of Glasgow are the latest to enjoy ‘employee action days’, organised

by The Conservation Volunteers and partner organisations.

Thick gauntlets were essential equipment for the University group as they cleared gorse bushes from Knocknairshill, overlooking Greenock and the Clyde Estuary. This is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) whose grassland and fen habitat requires action to keep the gorse in check and to open up areas for other wildflower and plant species to flourish.

Gorse* is a tough and prickly customer, so the Uni staff had their work cut out to clear it back using loppers and bowsaws.

This was the latest in a series of employee volunteering projects organised by TCV and the University, as Cara MacDowall, Volunteer Co-ordinator (University Services), explains: “At The University of Glasgow there are four colleges supported by what are known as University Services, which comprises of offices including Residential Services, Human Resources, and Finance. Over a year ago a group of staff were tasked with developing a volunteering project for University Services to help improve cross-service working but also to increase

Spring 2015

the University’s contribution to the local community. The group agreed two partner organisations they would work with to deliver volunteering events for staff, with The Conservation Volunteers chosen as one of those partners. To date we have arranged six events with 58 staff members from University Services in a variety of settings in and around Glasgow.”

Cara added: “The feedback has been really positive with all those who responded to our evaluation saying that they would like to do it again! Working outside and the sense of satisfaction seem to be the main motivators for our staff. Working with The Conservation Volunteers has been extremely easy. Chris Peach, Corporate Support Officer, and our link to the organisation has been an excellent leader and communicator which makes arranging the events very straightforward.

I would encourage anyone thinking about starting to volunteer to contact TCV. They are a great organisation and have a lot to offer someone wanting a new, outdoors experience.”

Employee action days are a great way for organisations to improve bonds between their own staff, and to put something back into the local community. TCV is experienced in organising these events with a range of organisations including

RBS, Sky, and the Bank of Scotland. Any organisation wishing further information about employee action days should contact Chris Peach, Corporate Support Officer, at c.peach@tcv.org.uk or call Chris on 07740 899558.

*What’s the difference?

Gorse is often confused with its close relative broom, both shrubs having bright yellow flowers. But it’s easy to tell them apart: gorse has painfully sharp needlelike leaves – broom doesn’t!

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Developing Natural Play Being in hospital needn’t prevent children playing or having contact with nature. This has been amply demonstrated recently through an innovative play programme organised by TCV Scotland.

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lay has long been considered essential to the healthy development and wellbeing of children, as is contact with nature. For several years TCV Scotland has been developing Discover Me – a programme of play activities to engage children and their families with the natural world. In 2014/15 TCV ran a pilot Discover Me project to bring natural play to children and families in healthcare settings – hospitals, hospices and respite care centres. How can natural play complement the many play activities already enjoyed by children in these environments?

The Discover Me project aimed to better understand the client group’s needs, identify the barriers preventing their involvement in nature play activities, and highlight what TCV and others can do to enhance opportunities for natural play in healthcare situations. The 12 month project was funded by Inspiring Scotland’s Go2Play Play Strategy Fund.

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Natural play can take place outdoors in healthcare settings if appropriate spaces are available and other conditions, including the weather, are favourable.

Alternatively, play sessions can be held indoors using nature as inspiration, and often using natural materials – leaves, twigs, lichens, garden herbs, even creepy crawlies! So, if the children can’t come to nature, then nature can come to the children!

As part of the project TCV staff consulted with health sector staff, parents and children in hospitals and hospices across Scotland. Based on the information gathered, TCV organised 19 natural play sessions between August 2014 and March 2015, in a variety of healthcare settings and locations. Through a balance of both child-led and adult-led play, the sessions gave children the opportunity to have fun, learn new skills, socialise, and express their feelings.

The programme also included three training sessions to equip health sector staff with the skills necessary to run future natural play sessions, ensuring the project’s long term sustainability. Over the course of the programme almost 200 children and adults were involved, and the feedback they gave was very positive. All of the organisations which hosted natural play sessions said they wished them to continue in the future. Hospitals in which sessions have not yet taken place have also shown an interest in Discover Me. And, as a result of the programme, the TCV staff involved also feel much better equipped to organise natural play sessions in healthcare settings.

The Discover Me Natural Play programme for children and families in hospitals, hospices and respite care centres, has been an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable learning experience for everyone involved.

TCV Scotland looks forward to its continued development.

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“Today was the first time he’s been out of bed since his operation, and although he was still really tired and exhausted, he really enjoyed all of the nature activities.”

Parent

“Our children are quite adventurous and would be up for most activities – anything that allows them to use their imagination is always good, and getting messy is something they also enjoy!”

“I really liked the activities as there was lots to do. My favourite part was the fungi quiz. I had lots of fun. I made lots of arts and crafts too.”

Child in hospital

Respite care worker

TCV Scotland thanks all the families, hospitals, hospices and respite care centres for their participation in Discover Me.

Funded by

Information and conclusions gathered during the Discover Me programme have been collated in a report produced by TCV. Anyone interested in the report should contact Jenny Adams at j.adams@tcv.org.uk

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STEVIE JARRON

Citizen Science in your community

Where to find us TCV Scotland Head Office 24 Allan Park Stirling FK8 2QG T 01786 479697 F 01786 465359 E scotland@tcv.org.uk Castle Douglas Green Gym Dumfries & Galloway T 07764 655681 E r.dickens@tcv.org.uk

Volunteers take part in a recent Shore Thing* survey to see what’s what on the shoreline of Great Cumbrae island.

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.

Follow us online8 vimeo.com/ conservationvolunteers

twitter.com/tcvscotland #JoinInFeelGood

Across the world volunteers are gathering information vital to protecting and improving our environment, from spotting butterflies to identifying new galaxies, from counting birds to collecting worms! This is Citizen Science in action and everyone can get involved, from schoolchildren and enthusiastic beginners, to wildlife experts and amateur

biologists. There are literally hundreds of activities and projects you can join in to record what’s present and what’s happening in your own community.

Welcome

Arran Community Land Initiative Common Ground Awareness Project (Glasgow) Lothian & Borders Badger Group The Friends of Figgate Park (Edinburgh) – see page 4.

Several groups have recently become ‘paid-up’ members of TCV’s Community Network, so welcome to:

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 2015. Charity registered in Scotland SC039302, and England 261009. Green Gym is a Registered Trade Mark.

For Citizen Science ideas, inspiration, tips, guides and resources, visit www.tcv.org. uk/scotland/discover *www.mba.ac.uk/shore_thing

Take cover Insurance is one of those things we don’t like to pay for but regret if (when!) something goes wrong. The Conservation Volunteers has recently updated its Insurance Guide outlining what insurance cover we can provide to community and voluntary groups undertaking conservation and environmental activities. TCV’s policy, arranged with Zurich Municipal, is aimed at groups with annual income of less than £120,000 and provides combined Public Liability and Personal Accident cover. Further options are available for Employers Liability, All Risk Property, and Special Events such as fundraising fetes and fun days. The guide is available to view/download in the Community Network section of the TCV website.

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 Space to Grow Green Gym Maryhill Burgh Halls 24 Gairbraid Avenue Glasgow G20 8YE T 07917 460488 E a.malcolm@tcv.org.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 544304 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

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[NetBul-Spring-15/GB/RB]

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

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