The official purposes of Earth in Common (EiC), a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC044220), can be summarised as to encourage and support the people and organisations of Leith to grow food vegetables, and flowers for pollinating insects, in urban spaces, in order to improve health and wellbeing, community cohesion and the environment. However, EiC brings together a diverse group of enthusiastic staff, freelancers, volunteers and members/supporters who are tackling an array of social and environmental issues at local, national and international levels, and so it has broader activities and interests than suggested by its current official purposes.

The charity was appointed by the City of Edinburgh Council to manage, with and for the local community, two acres at the northwest corner of Leith Links Park. Now known as Leith Community Croft (LCC), our pioneering and model ‘urban croft’ offers cross-cutting solutions to social and environmental problems through a suite of integrated projects. It accommodates a community growing project with >100 participants. The growing project is distinct from allotments and benefits agrobiodiversity (see tinyurl.com/croftabdiv).

LCC is also the site of our tree nursery, market garden, composting facilities, our Hingabootery (shed-based café, with a serving hatch), our Market on the Croft (to be re-launched in 2023), and our lovely new building (largely funded by the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund), with a well-equipped kitchen, flexible meeting/training/dining spaces and office space. This building constitutes a multipurpose community hub at the core of LCC.

To learn more about EiC, candidates are advised to familiarise themselves with the organisation’s history and current projects and campaigns by visiting its website (earth-in-common.org). More information is also provided in the Job Description.

Summary of the job

• Appointees will work as a team with other Croft Café Co-ordinators, with a main focus on preparing and serving simple but high quality food and drink. They will also sell fruit and vegetables (many from our market garden on Leith Community Croft) from our farm shop area of the same building. Barista and/or kitchen experience would be preferable, but we can provide training to the right candidates. An understanding of food safety standards is essential as well as a proactive attitude, a sense of urgency and ability to pinpoint priorities and act on them.
• The appointees will also perform all necessary ancillary work (food preparation, cleaning, stocktaking, till operation, ordering supplies, etc.). Opening hours are currently 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (subject to change during spring and summer), but there will be some meeting, preparation and cleaning time outside these hours, and possibly occasional catering at events. Candidates must be able to work weekends and early mornings.
• As well as ensuring the smooth running of all aspects of Earth in Common’s café and farm shop operations, they will assist with other aspects of running Leith Community Croft, as required. This may include, for example, waste management, litter-picking and assisting with market garden work.
• Croft Café Co-ordinators are expected to be flexible, use their initiative, and help each other as necessary, turning their hands to whatever needs to be done to further Earth in Common’s services and reputation. This includes contributing ideas to the development of café and farm shop operations to make them more biosphere- and customer-friendly and to improve profitability.
• Croft Café Co-ordinators are important public-facing representatives of Leith Community Croft and Earth in Common, and are expected to abide by the charity’s Code of Conduct, offer efficient and friendly service, also engage with people who don’t necessarily use the café, and be able to inform members of the public about the charity’s history, values, long-term vision and ongoing projects and services and direct them to Earth in Common contact points and colleagues as appropriate.
• While no guarantees can be given, it is hoped that the charity’s finances will allow contracts to be extended, assuming appointees have performed well.

Set up in 1999 by the local community, Carluke Development Trust is a registered Scottish charity undertaking a range of community led initiatives to support the development and regeneration of the community, space and environment of the Parish of Carluke in South Lanarkshire.

Carluke High Mill and Community Garden

We have recently secured £2.7million of capital and revenue funding from key funders such as the Scottish Government, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland, to repair and reconstruct the A-listed Carluke High Mill and develop the attached 1.2-acre community garden. The project will have a significant positive economic and social impact on the town, creating a community led facility that will generate sustainable resources and deliver training, education, volunteering, employment, business, and heritage opportunities.

The Role

We now have an exciting opportunity for a suitably experienced and committed Project Delivery and Sustainability Manager to join our Team. The role will involve:

• Project managing the repair and construction of the Carluke High Mill, including overseeing the project Design Team
• Contributing to the development of the 1.2-acre CHM Community Garden, working with and line managing CDT’s Community Gardener
• Implementing the Delivery & Sustainability Plan for the project, including putting in place programme of activities which deliver the outcomes agreed with funders and secure the ongoing viability of the facility.

Reporting to the Chairperson of the Trust, the successful candidate will ideally have degree level qualifications or equivalent relevant experience in managing or co-ordinating physical regeneration projects. A proven track record in identifying and securing funding is important as will be experience of working in a community setting and maintaining effective relationships with statutory, voluntary and private sector partners and funders. The postholder should have a full UK driving licence and access to their own vehicle.

It is crucial that the postholder displays a passion for engaging with our communities whilst having the management and communication skills necessary to provide a supportive and inspiring environment for staff and volunteers.

Construction work on the High Mill project is expected to begin on site in June 2024, with an anticipated duration of at least 15 months, with the balance of the role shifting over this period towards ensuring the sustainability of the High Mill and Community Garden facility.

The initial contract duration will be until 31st March 2026, with subsequent contract extensions made as funding is secured.

A detailed description of the key duties of the post and an associated person specification is available to download below

Carluke Development Trust is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications

from all sections of the community.

About Lanark Community Development Trust

Lanark Community Development Trust (LCDT) is an independent Scottish charity, and one of a growing network of Development Trusts across Scotland. Established in 2009, our aim is to develop and deliver community projects which have a positive social, environmental, or economic impact on the town of Lanark and the surrounding area. We were one of the lead partners in the development of the ‘Vision for Lanark’, a strategic plan for the town, and continue to work in partnership with Discover Lanark and other third sector groups to deliver projects and maximise our impact.

LCDT is led by a team of Trustees who all serve on a voluntary capacity. We are also a membership organisation and offer a number of volunteering opportunities.

Recent projects delivered by LCDT include the redevelopment of Deadman’s Lane with Lanark Grammar School, the interpretation of the Wallace gap Site, and the installation of the Clydesdale Horse at Lanark Market. One of our core projects is the management and development of Castlebank Horticultural Centre (CHC). This purpose-built facility is located within the historic grounds of Castlebank Park and provides a community growing space, with associated training and learning facilities. Income generated through CHC is reinvested in the LCDT and our projects.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for a motivated and energetic Development Manager to lead the operations of Castlebank Horticultural Centre and support the development of other projects run by LCDT, whilst working with local partners to maximise capacity to create positive interventions for Lanark. This funded position is initially for one year, but we hope your drive will lead to continuation funding.

What you will be doing:

You will lead on the operation and development of Castlebank Horticultural Centre and other LCDT properties, working to create well-managed and engaging spaces with sustainable income streams. You will also provide support to LCDT-wide operations including project co-ordination, administration & membership management, volunteer support, board meeting facilitation, and marketing & communications. You will work the equivalent of one day a week with the Trust’s partner, Discover Lanark, on their social media pages and website.

We are currently seeking a highly motivated, creative and experienced individual to fill the following vacancy - Development Worker (Outreach)

The successful applicant will be required to develop and support existing and new outreach opportunities on a fixed term contract until December 2024. Post extension will be dependent on securing further funding.

STAR Project (est. 1999) is an award-winning community organisation that delivers long lasting positive social outcomes, building safer, more connected and resilient communities in Renfrewshire. We facilitate creative and skills-based group, individual and community supports, tackling poverty, deprivation, inequality and stigma.

This post is funded by the Community Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund.