Animals and Environment

Craigtoun Country Park

​

Who They Are:

Craigtoun Country Park is a park located just outside the center of St Andrew’s and is open all year round with free entry and parking and spans 47 acres. They have childrens’ rides, playgrounds, activities such as mini golf and go-karting as well as a Park Golf Course or, you can just go for a walk in the park and spend some time in nature. It truly caters for everyone’s needs. The park is a historical site and belongs to Fife Council. Therefore, relying on the local community for its upkeep and maintenance. Our main focus as SVS volunteers will be on helping with the gardens which provide both educational and recreational purposes for the community. There are different areas of the park containing unique gardens full of beautiful flowers and fauna, all requiring maintenance. These gardens include the Walled Garden, which dates back to the 18th century, and the Tranquility Garden designed to specifically attract butterflies and bees and offer a quiet seating area away from the busyness of the park.

​

Volunteers Role:

Craigtoun are very excited to have student volunteers involved in the upkeep of the park. They have a wide variety of work that volunteers can get involved with, depending on their time commitments and interests. These include building and painting fences, gardening, landscaping and other general maintenance. There is no minimum time commitment from volunteers and the task as well as the hours will be arranged to the volunteer’s preference and availability with the Park Volunteer Coordinator once volunteering begins. Volunteers will be given a safety brief, park orientation and discuss any administrative points on their first day volunteering to ensure everything runs smoothly!

​

Logistics:

• There is no application form or criteria for volunteers.

• Has the potential to continue into summer (all year round) if volunteers would like to

• 10 minute drive from the bus station (hour walk)

​

 

Tree Wardens with the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust

​

Who They Are:

The Fife Tree Wardens is a scheme funded by the Fife Council and the Community Woodlands Association and is supported by Fife Coast and Countryside Trust and Climate Action Fife. The project aims to increase the tree cover in Fife, with the ultimate goal of having six trees for each person living in Fife. Their goals are to sustainably plant more trees while inspiring other people to care for and protect the trees in their communities. Trees have many benefits, one of the key benefits being their positive impact in the fight against climate change, which is why they need to be protected. So if this is something you’d like to get involved in - they’d love to have you on board!

​

Volunteers Role:

If you have a love for trees and some time to spare, this is the perfect opportunity for you! As a tree warden, you will be able to plant, care for and safeguard the trees in our community. Other roles include managing local woods and removing invasive species, surveying the trees in your area, leading guided tree walks and collecting seeds from local trees for future tree planting. Depending on your interests, you will be offered various training through the Fife Tree Warden Scheme. All that is required from you is a passion for trees/the outdoors, a willingness to learn and 1-2 hours a month for volunteering! This is a great opportunity to meet some new people and spend some time outside!

​

Logistics:

• Time commitment of 1-2 hours a month

• Can continue through summer if the volunteer would like to

• Volunteers will be required to watch an induction video and then complete an application form for Fife Coast and Countryside Trust volunteers

​

​

 

Seasearch Scotland (in partnership with Sub-Aqua Club)

​

Who They Are:

Seasearch is a project run by the Marine Conservation Society, with the aim to collect data on marine species and habitats. It was originally designed for divers but now also includes snorkelers and shore walkers. All the data collected during dives goes towards the UK national database of marine records and other marine conservation and management organizations, to help monitor marine life and habitats and track the overall health of the environment. Seasearch is currently the largest contributor towards the UK national database of marine records!

​

Volunteers Role:

If you’re an avid scuba diver or snorkeller and want to be involved in marine conservation - this is the perfect opportunity for you! Your role as a volunteer involves collecting data and logging it during your own dives/snorkels, meaning there is no minimum time commitment required and it is purely down to your own schedule. There will also be organised group survey events from time to time. As a volunteer, you will be required to complete an observer course, which costs around £80 , and although it is expensive, it includes a supporting course pack, a top quality photographic marine life guide book and the undivided attention of two experienced tutors. It is great for your CV, particularly if you want to go into marine conservation as it is sought out by all national conservation agencies, is good conservation experience, and is very informative if you’re purely just interested in marine life.

​

Logistics:

• The observer course is required to become a volunteer and will not be covered by SVS

• Very flexible (can be over summer / whenever volunteer is going on a dive)

​

​

Guide Dogs for the Blind St Andrews

​

Who They Are:  

Guide Dogs is a charity that works to support people of all ages living with vision impairment. The charity is funded almost only on donations and is the only UK charity to breed and train guide dogs. They also employ specialists to help children overcome difficulties faced by loss of sight as well as carry out research to better understand the needs of those they support and improve the care of their dogs. Guide dogs offers in-person services as well as online and telephonic services to provide support to anyone who needs it.  

​

Volunteers Role: 

Guide Dogs St Andrew’s carry out fundraising events throughout the year these can be anything from Coffee mornings, store collections, and events held annually like St Andrews Harbour Gala , Highland Games , Big Hoolie etc. 

They also take our pups in training to University Halls, Union etc throughout the town which allows them to raise awareness for the work our charity carries out and also allow the public & students to meet all their dogs and to many other charity & church groups. These are also great training experiences for our pups. 

The problem with these visits are most are midweek especially Schools and Nurseries and that’s when a lot of their own volunteers are working so they can only take one puppy along when the size and numbers attending could mean they could take along two or three dogs. 

Having more volunteers would allow them to take additional pups -  as Guide Dogs they are very well trained so as long as the student was happy with dogs it is a very enjoyable hour or so.  

​

Logistics:  

• No specific time commitment required  

• Events often in St Andrew’s so transport is not an issue 

• Can continue through summer if the volunteer would like to 

• Volunteers must complete an online application and then once successful, complete an online training. They then receive a ID card and lanyard and a guide dog polo shirt to wear at events. 

• No PVG required  

• ​

Graduate Attribute examples - Confidence and adaptability, Networking, Oral communication, Organisation skills, Resilience, Self-awareness and reflection, Social responsibility, Diversity awareness, Effective team contribution, Influencing and negotiation, & Inter-personal skills