The Scottish Wildlife Trust is pleased to announce the arrival of our European funded volunteers.
These are the first European Voluntary Service (EVS) paid volunteer placements for the Trust.
Diana Guglielmotti from Italy will be working at the Montrose Basin Visitor Centre for the next seven months and Typhaine Calais from France will be working on a variety of projects throughout Fife, Tayside and Angus over the next 12 months.
Funding for the placements was secured with the European Commission through the support of Article 12, a charity which helps to provide opportunities for young people to take part in voluntary projects throughout Europe and beyond.
Scottish Wildlife Trust Volunteer Development Officer, Peter Gilbert, said: “EVS is good because it gives us volunteers over a long period of time.
“It means they can become more effective volunteers and help the aims of our organisation.
“The fact that this is part-funded by the European Commission makes it a very cost-effective method of financing a long-term volunteer placement.
“This is a golden opportunity for us to recruit some quality long-term volunteers and give them some great experiences in Scotland.
“I would like to thank Article 12 for all their help and advice in getting us started on the EVS journey.
“We are looking forward to the possibility of recruiting more EVS volunteers in the future.”
The volunteers will be helping to support the trust through a range of activities.
Scottish Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre Assistant Manager for Montrose Basin, Craig Shepherd said: “It’s always good to have an extra pair of hands and someone from another country, it’s refreshing.
“Our volunteer Typhaine has been helping out with our Swan Management Programme which involves moving swans off farmer’s fields to stop them from eating the crops – this helps to maintain a good relationship with the local farmers.
“She has also been working in our visitors centre welcoming people to the reserve.”
Craig explained: “The main aim of EVS is to have volunteers learn new cultures and also help teach us about theirs as well.
“I actually worked in Greece, four years ago, through EVS.
“It was a great experience and a chance to meet others, learn how people live in other countries and learn another language.
“It is definitely worthwhile.”
Volunteering for the Scottish Wildlife Trust is a great way to gain new skills and also learn about Scotland’s wildlife and environment.
EVS Volunteer, Typhaine Calais said: “I am really enjoying the experience.
“I have been learning a lot about birds, nature and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
“Scottish people are really friendly and I have been made to feel like part of the family here at the Montrose Basin Visitor Centre.
“I applied as I wanted to meet new people and experience new cultures.
“I wanted to do something practical and as I am interested in environmental policies, the Scottish Wildlife Trust was the perfect role for me.”
With the first of the EVS volunteers now settling into their roles, it is hoped that further success may be seen for the Trust through this programme.