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.

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.

Rock Community Church is a vibrant church community serving Dumbarton and the surrounding area. As part of our vision, we aim to be actively engaged in celebrating, supporting and loving the people within our community. In 2018 we created a community hub, The Phoenix, designed to primarily serve the people of Dumbarton West, namely the residents of Castlehill, Westcliff, and Brucehill. The Phoenix includes a community cafe and a wide and varied activities programme including youth work, toddler provision, adult learning, intergenerational events, art classes, fitness classes, wellbeing programme and volunteer opportunities.

Purpose of role

Do you understand the power of Youth work? We are really excited as we have been working hard to revamp and relaunch our youth work support

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Youth Worker who is passionate about developing and delivering quality, engaging & fun youth work activities for children & young people from Dumbarton West. This will include our youth clubs, youth groups support, Youth Voice and Outdoor Learning.

Your main role will be to support our Youth work lead/Centre Manager to plan, develop and deliver an exciting and engaging youth work programme including our established youth groups and youth work provision. This will include setting up, running projects, arranging workshops, organising training and events, providing activities to bring children & young people together.

You will work closely with children & young people, their families and any relevant partners, to ensure they are informed and supported to participate in any programmes, and any other community based activities. The post holder should be flexible as the actual times of work may involve working evenings, school holidays and weekends.

Key Responsibilities

• To support the development and delivery of our youth work support for children and young people aged 5-18 years.
• To support children and young people’s involvement in the planning and delivery of youth work that meets their needs.
• To plan, deliver and evaluate activities which support, connect and inspire children and young people in Dumbarton West.
• To use a variety of approaches to consult and engage with young people.
• To maintain up to date and accurate records of youth work sessions and any other youth work activities delivered.
• To understand and abide by the organisations policies and procedures, including Health & Safety, Data Protection, Confidentiality and Child Protection.
• Ensure non-discriminatory practices at all times in line with the organisations Equality and Diversity policy.
• To work in partnership with key local organisations.
• To liaise with parents, carers, professionals and partner agencies.
• To support the development of learning for sessional staff, volunteers including Young Leaders.
• To produce monitoring and evaluation reports as requested by your line manager.
• In addition you will be expected to contribute across all aspects of the Phoenix support to Dumbarton West.

The Organisation:

Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee with charitable aims and is a member of the Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS). The Trust has a vision to see Lochwinnoch develop and thrive, and is managed by a Board of voluntary Directors. Our purpose is the advancement of community development and

regeneration, principally within the Lochwinnoch area. We currently employ one part-time member of staff as a Development Officer who works across multiple projects.

lochwinnochtrust.org

The Project:

Lochhead Social Garden Project is an exciting and bold plan to pursue further development of a one acre site, in the heart of the village. We are currently managing the site which hosts existing activity including a Community Larder operating under a local charity LEAP, and an outdoor holiday club for Primary and Nursery aged children called Wildcare.

We are now working towards a Community Asset Transfer for a 10 year lease via a live application. There is a steering group which supports the project made up of various stakeholders and Board members. The full Project Plan can be viewed here: docs.google.com/document/d/1qPBbAIeCkJoYuQHORcVjMtnxJ36ai6nuPy-LamrLeLw/e

dit?usp=sharing

The next steps for the project are to bring our professional garden design plan to life and begin income generating projects that will help to sustain it longer term.

The Role:

We are seeking a Project Officer to lead on this initiative. It is an exciting opportunity for someone to work part-time on a flexible basis as part of a community-led organisation. Hours will be 21 per week, with occasional evening or weekend working as required. The salary will be £29K FTE pro-rata and the contract will last for three years initially with an annual salary review. This role will report to a steering group via a nominated Line Manager.

It is expected that across 2024 the role will be mainly focussed on development of the garden design plan and preparation for successive years moving on to include development of income generating projects which would sustain the site financially.

Duties will include:

• Taking a broad overview of the project to plan and forecast workflows to ensure smooth delivery.
• Recruit and manage volunteers in undertaking work upon the site.
• Regular liaison with The Board, the Trust’s Development Officer, and all other stakeholders including Site Users and Community Partners; Developing relationships and carrying out consultations.
• Update risk assessments and ensure governance is adhered to, including procurement of relevant insurances and application of licenses (market operators license, event licenses etc.)
• Working closely with the Garden Designer, liaising with contractors and tradespeople to arrange works to be carried out inline with the Garden Design Plan: This might include connecting the site to mains water; landscaping and groundworks; building structures and workshops etc.
• Responsibility for overall management of site, assets and equipment.
• Responsible for communications; Contribute to newsletters and flyers; Update social media and website.
• Identify funding needs and create funding plans using MS Excel/Google sheets.
• Identify suitable funding streams, liaise with funders and submit applications; manage budgets and produce funding reports.
• Set up income generating projects and work required for letting the garden for private hires and running markets. This work will likely commence after the main development has taken place. It might involve facilitating market days, managing event staff and taking bookings for hire.
• Update the Business Plan and help with preparatory work for extension of lease agreement, and Community Asset Transfer process.

Requirements:

Applicants should have the following.

• Previous experience of a similar role, with experience of working autonomously and staying motivated.
• Experience of managing large budgets
• Demonstrated experience of project delivery.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships internally and externally.
• Excellent administration skills and IT skills, with ability to create and maintain spreadsheets and work with numerical/financial data.
• Excellent references.