Natural Communities
Natural Communities is an innovative programme working to increase community environmental engagement skills. TCV Scotland and Conservation Volunteer Northern Ireland will work in partnership with a wide range of community and natural heritage organisations to develop and deliver 12 month long Natural Communities Training Programmes for 24 trainees over 3 years, with support from Heritage Lottery Fund. Each Individual Training Programme be unique in its focus and include work based training, working towards accredited qualifications and the development of a Personal Project.
Individual Training Programmes will be based in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Trainees will receive a salary of £12,500 during the course of the 12 month programme, plus money to help with training, travel and equipment. This is a fantastic opportunity for people who'd like to develop the skills to engage communities in understanding, valuing and conserving their natural heritage and building towards a sustainable future.
A diverse range of organisations and communities have been brought together already through the programme, including councils, national charities and local community groups. Partner organisations that have hosted trainees have been delighted with how the scheme works for them: “Ever had a load of ideas as to how to improve the natural environment, but not the time to deliver them? Well, if so, the natural communities programme would be for you. During 2011 our TCV placement has been able to progress a variety of projects, reach several new communities and receive a healthy degree of training all at no cost to ourselves. A win for everyone, now there’s something to shout about!" – Duncan Priddle, East Lothian Council
Whilst the trainees themselves have found the programme to be a fantastic opportunity to not only develop existing skills, but acquire new ones and continue their personal development: “Turning an abstract notion of ‘community engagement’ into something more tangible and meaningful for people and our planet has been a personal journey of discovery. Through the Natural Communities Trainee programme, I now understand community engagement is more than awareness raising; it is the kindling of a spark that enables people to make sustained changes that safeguard our planet and its biodiversity. RSPB Abernethy has been my home, my classroom and my inspiration for the past 12 months. With the support and guidance from both RSPB and TCV I now have a profound appreciation that ‘community engagement’ is as imperative today as it was over 100 years ago” – Alison Greggans, RSPB Abernethy trainee
Keep up to date with how our current Trainees are doing - read the Natural Communities Blog.
If you believe you can make a difference to community engagement in the environmental sector then get in touch! No formal qualifications are required; all we ask is that you're committed to the environment and passionate about communicating it to people!
For further information then please get in contact via the details below.
