A leading conservation charity has announced an innovative volunteering programme as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust has developed a new Scottish Wildlife Volunteers programme in response to changing expectations of would-be volunteers.
The programme offers traditional opportunities alongside micro-volunteering where people can give as little as one hour at a time.
Volunteers can also sign up to a flexi-team which allows them to give time to the charity when they are free.
We appreciate people can find it difficult to juggle their desire to volunteer and other commitments such as employment and family life.
Young Scottish wildlife volunteers will be able to develop their skills through a new mentoring scheme with more experienced volunteers.
The People’s Postcode Lottery volunteer training fund has also been created so volunteers can be nominated to undertake training to help them to be even more effective in their role.
Chief executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust Jonathan Hughes said: “The Scottish Wildlife Trust has relied on the dedication of hard-working volunteers who have contributed to every aspect of our work over the past 50 years – from practical conservation on our 120 wildlife reserves, to campaigning to save protected sites and inspiring people through educational activities.
“However, we appreciate people can find it difficult to juggle their desire to volunteer and other commitments such as employment and family life.
“That is why those joining Scottish Wildlife Volunteers will be able to volunteer even more flexibly from today.”
The charity was founded by a group of volunteers in 1964. Collectively they have helped achieve some major successes for Scotland’s wildlife, including the recovery of species such as the otter.
