“Every new beginning comes from some some other beginning’s end”
– Seneca (or Semisonic…depending on whether you prefer a roman philosopher or an alternative rock band)
When I started this traineeship back in January I had absolutely no idea where it would take me, but I was already confident that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and that it was going to be bags of fun. I also hoped that the skills and knowledge I acquired during the year would help me to gain further employment.
Well safe to say the traineeship has been a success….you could say a bit too successful as I am leaving this week to take up a new job working as the Learning & Engagement Officer for a small estate in Fife, just north of Edinburgh. I have loved every minute of my Natural Networks placement – the challenges, the training, the community and the trainees and have absolutely no doubt that I wouldn’t be where I am today without the traineeship.
I thought I would take the opportunity to summarise what I have been up to over the past 5 and a bit months:
- Training: I have attended 20 courses in all manner of subjects from deaf awareness to mental health first aid to reptile surveying. I tried really hard to make the most of this opportunity, and as some of the other trainees will testify: I write A LOT of notes, so hopefully this information will benefit myself and others for a long time to come. If anyone needs copies, you know where to find me!
- Biscuits: as every TCV employee knows, biscuits are a crucial part of conservation work. From a simple Bourbon to Pam’s organic, gluten free, rock hard ginger biscuits that could survive a hurricane, I’ve tried them all! I’ll ensure that at all future community events and volunteering days there will be a plentiful supply of biscuits to energise and encourage.
Meadow sowing with Nether Currie Primary
- Community: I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many fantastic people, who are fervently working to improve the environment and our understanding of and connection to it. All in all, I’ve worked with over 1100 people, delivering workshops with schools, visiting other projects, networking with community groups, and undertaking practical conservation work from river bank management to gardening…I’ve done a bit of everything. And almost all of it came as a result of sitting down with a cup of tea (and a biscuit – see above) and just having a conversation with someone. I’ve been truly humbled by what people are capable of, and it gives great hope for the future. Amazing things are happening in Edinburgh!
Gardening with the Friends of Starbank Park
- Events: I have also been incredibly lucky to have helped at and attended a number of events of all shapes and sizes including a parliamentary seminar, a Learning for Sustainability Conference and of course Gardening Scotland. These gave me the opportunity to hobnob with everyone from teachers to MSPs and enabled me to spread the word about the Edinburgh Living Landscape and the Natural Networks programme. It was also a great chance to make connections with other conservation organisations including the Green Team, Bat Conservation Trust and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
Manning the stall at Gardening Scotland
It’s not been without it challenges though, and I have appreciated the opportunity to work within a Local Authority which is facing significant spending cuts. I’ve gained a bit of a comprehension for the challenges of managing an ever growing green space with ever decreasing resources and trying to balance the expectations and needs of the public with the interests and expectations of a whole host of other stakeholders, including large conservation charities. It will be an ongoing battle, but one that I will watch with interest. I firmly believe that success lies with the community, all of us working together to facilitate a transformation – of the environment, of our society and of ourselves. We have the power to change the world!
So all that’s left for me to say now is thank you – to TCV, to HLF, to Edinburgh Council and to the other trainees for a fantastic experience, it’s been a blast.
Willow weaving with Davidsons Mains School