Practical support
TCV staff and volunteers from our bases in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Alloa can often provide practical help on the ground to support a wide range of environmental projects. Contact the relevant TCV office for details of potential project support.
TCV may also be able to organise a team of corporate volunteers to help community groups and schools in Central Scotland with their project. Projects undertaken by corporate volunteers have included installing raised beds and paths for wheelchair users within a walled garden, tree planting schemes, and building upcycled pallet furniture in the grounds of a community centre. If your organisation’s employees wish to take part in a worthwhile community project, or you have a project requiring assistance, please contact us to discuss the possibilities – corporate-enquiries@tcv.org.uk
Training and learning events
The TCV Scotland Environmental Training Programme includes a wide range of short courses and events covering topics such as: rural skills, wildlife gardening, health and safety, fundraising, outdoor learning, Citizen Science, species identification and habitat surveying. Successful participants for some courses eg Bruschcutters and Trimmers will receive a Lantra certificate. Information on all upcoming courses is included in our regular eBulletin and on our Eventbrite page.
Fundraising support
In addition to running occasional fundraising workshops, we produce a Funding Focus on sources of funding for community, environmental and related projects. And members of TCV’s Community Network (see below) can apply to the Chestnut Fund small grants scheme.
I Dig Trees
TCV’s annual I Dig Trees programme provides free trees for schools and community groups across the UK. There are seven packs available with a variety of native tree species to suit different habitats and conditions.
Citizen Science
We organise ‘Introduction to Citizen Science’ training courses for community groups, charities, and other organisations. For more details contact citizenscience-scotland@tcv.org.uk
Keep up-to-date with our newsletters
The Network Bulletin ( three issues annually) showcases the activities of the wide variety of local environmental groups belonging to TCV’s Community Network in Scotland (see below), plus news of TCV Scotland’s own projects and programmes. View the latest Network Bulletin.
Our eBulletin (every 2 months) provides details of TCV Scotland training courses and learning events, plus news of other environmental funding sources, resources, campaigns, networking opportunities, conferences etc – with a focus on Scotland.
Subscribe to our eNewsletters here.
Community Network
Community groups and organisations who help care for their local greenspaces can join TCV’s UK-wide Community Network, which has almost 2,000 member groups, with some 300 being in Scotland. Community Network members have access to a range of online guides and resources, grant information and access to the Chestnut Fund, discounts from TCV’s online Conservation Handbooks, and signposting to group insurance. We currently offer free one year membership of the Community Network, thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Find out more about Community Network membership.
The Community Network is supported by the Scottish Government and NatureScot