The University of Edinburgh's Forest and Peatland Programme Volunteer Handbook gives clear guidance, policies, and practical tips to help volunteers safely and effectively take part in restoring forests and peatlands in Scotland. What is the Forest and Peatland programme? The Forest and Peatland programme is a multi-million-pound project to restore peatland and create woodlands in Scotland. This project will enhance biodiversity, improve recreation and scenery for local communities, preserve cultural heritage sites, remove carbon from the atmosphere, and provide learning and research opportunities for academics and students. There will be opportunities for people to get involved and volunteer at our sites across Scotland. We recognise that volunteers can significantly add value to the work we do and that volunteers often benefit through developing new skills, improving their health and wellbeing and meeting new people. We anticipate there will be a range of volunteering activities which will include planting trees and wildflowers, assisting with biodiversity monitoring, maintaining paths and helping at public events. Visit the volunteering webpage for our current volunteer opportunities. EUSA President planting a tree at Drumbrae in 2024. Who can volunteer? Everyone is welcome to volunteer. We want to reduce any barriers to volunteering to make it as accessible as possible. This could include making adjustments for disability, assisting with transport, and being flexible in our approach. There will be volunteer opportunities for local community members, and opportunities specifically tailored to University staff and students. To volunteer, you must be 16 years old or over. If you are under 16 years old, then there may be opportunities for you to volunteer if you are accompanied by a responsible adult. There is no upper age limit for volunteers. There may be opportunities for family volunteer days, where children and adults can volunteer together. You can volunteer while you are receiving benefits if the work you do is unpaid, and you meet the rules of your benefit. You should check with your benefits advisor before you start volunteering, and more information is available on the gov.uk website. Gov.uk website Training and Support Volunteers will be given appropriate training and support for the type of activities undertaken. Arrangements will vary according to the volunteer and the volunteer role. The Community Ranger will be your first point of contact. They will provide information about the volunteering activities, any skills or experience that are required, discuss any training, and will support you throughout. Health and Safety We want to make sure you have an enjoyable and safe experience while volunteering. All volunteer opportunities will be risk assessed, and volunteers are covered by the University’s insurance. Ahead of activity taking place, we’ll ensure that volunteers are aware of any risks, understand how to carry out the role safely and have access to appropriate equipment - including any personal protective equipment that might be required. We expect volunteers to follow any instructions given, to carry out activities safely and be responsible for their own health and safety as well as for those around them. Any volunteers who are under 16 years old must be accompanied by a responsible adult, who must supervise and work alongside them, to ensure everyone’s safety. The Community Ranger is your first point of contact on all Health and Safety matters. Travel Expenses Travel expenses will be paid for any volunteer activities, including public transport and mileage for car use. As some of our sites are not easily accessible by public transport, we may be able to help you get to site, or car share with others. Travel expense claims may be subject to a maximum amount of £35 per day. The Community Ranger will provide more information about how to claim travel expenses. (Please note travel expenses claims for University staff volunteering as part of work time should be processed through the People and Money system.) Photography and Social Media Photographs are a valuable tool to record volunteering activities. During our volunteer activities we may take photos/videos to highlight what we are doing. These photographs/videos may be used by the University of Edinburgh in a variety of ways including on our website, social media, and marketing materials. We will always ask permission to take photographs or film you, and we will respect your wishes if you do not wish to be photographed or filmed. Volunteers are welcome to share information about volunteering on their own social media accounts, whilst remaining respectful to the University of Edinburgh, Forest and Peatland staff, other volunteers and members of the public. If you are taking photos with other people in them and want to post them on your own social media accounts, please ensure that any other people in your photos give their consent. You are welcome to use #UoEForestPeatland and tag the University using our social media handles below: Instagram: UoE_Sustainability Facebook: EdinburghSustainability LinkedIn: The University of Edinburgh Department for Social Responsibility & Sustainability Conduct We hold our volunteers to a high standard of conduct and are committed to fostering a culture of honesty and open communication, while supporting and encouraging diverse opinions. Our goal is to treat all volunteers fairly and objectively. We will do our best to ensure that volunteers' views are heard, noted and acted upon. We ask that volunteers: co-operate with other volunteers and staff treat everyone with courtesy and respect carry out agreed roles and tasks to the best of your abilities observe all safety procedures to help keep everyone safe ask for help or support when needed keep any confidential matters confidential exchange information and offer feedback let us know if you can no longer volunteer raise any concerns about your volunteering experience with us directly rather than on social media or in another public place. The University has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment or discrimination. We will respond promptly and sensitively to formal complaints and take appropriate action. In the first instance please contact the Community Ranger Community.Ranger@ed.ac.uk or alternatively email: SRS.Department@ed.ac.uk. Equality and Diversity The University is committed to embedding equality and diversity across all its work; you can visit our Equality and Diversity and Inclusion website for more information. We want everyone to make the most of their abilities and to make sure no-one is unfairly treated. The Forest and Peatland programme Equality Impact Assessment is available on the University website. Privacy When you sign up for Forest and Peatland volunteering activities and events you will be asked for personal information. This will include contact information, your age range, an emergency contact, and any health or medical information that a first aider might need to be aware of. We use this information to help ensure the health and safety of people taking part in our activities. By providing us with the required information, you give us your consent for your health information to be used in an emergency. We will request your consent for photography and filming and for joining our mailing list, so we can keep you informed about future activities. We may also use your postcode and age range to help monitor who we are engaging with. This will only be used in the form of statistics and not in any way that identifies an individual. You may be asked to fill in an Equality and Diversity survey with information about your gender, ethnicity, religion etc. This information is anonymous and is not linked to sign up process and will only be used in the form of statistics for monitoring purposes. You can find out more in our privacy statement. Review This handbook will be reviewed annually.If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact the Community Ranger, Julie Wilson by emailing Community.Ranger@ed.ac.uk. This article was published on 2024-11-21
