We have made great progress in managing the woods at our recent volunteer events - improving the gateways into the woods, removing invasive species and making dead hedges. See the photos on our Facebook page. The dates for 2024 are as follows:

Sundays at 1030:

• 14th April
• 12th May
• 9th June
• 14th July
• 11th August

Thursday evenings (generally fourth Thursday of every month), 1830 to 2030-ish:

• 25th April
• 23rd May
• 27th June
• 25th July 

Policy on volunteering: Please read our policy, about our overall approach to volunteering here and all our other policies here.

Volunteer Charter Champions: We have signed the Volunteer Charter from Volunteer Scotland which helps to ensure that volunteers are engaged in rewarding, appropriate and sustainable roles; have quality volunteering experiences with adequate support and training; and protects against the engagement of volunteers to replace or undermine paid roles. More info here.

Where to meet? At the stone gateposts ("The Mortuary Gates") on Culduthel Avenue near the Culduthel Christian Centre - find the precise location here. Please walk or cycle if you can - but if you have to come by car, there is normally parking nearby  - but please avoid Culduthel Christian Centre on Sunday mornings or if events are on.

What to bring? Outdoor clothes, work gloves, boots - loppers or a handsaw can be useful.

Health and Safety? Please read our Health and Safety policy here and the risk assessment about how we will be keeping everyone safe on the volunteer work days.

What work do we do? Key jobs that we want to tackle will include improving the entrances to the woods, path maintenance, removing old fences and signs and clearance of invasive species (e.g. rhododendron and snowberry) and beech. You can see a list of projects that we want done here and a record of all our volunteer work done here.

Young people? Come on down! We really want to encourage young people to be involved in the management of the woods - please note that anyone under 18 at our open volunteering events must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible parent or guardian. Please contact us if you know of a youth group that would like to undertake work in the woods.

Can individuals help in their own time? Yes, of course! Please collect any litter you see as you walk around the woods - we can supply equipment on loan if that helps. Get in touch if you want do more.

Can your group help? Yes please! If you are part of an established group who would like to volunteer to do work in the woods, please contact us to find out how we can help you do that. There will certainly be some school and Scout/Guide groups doing practical projects in the woods from time to time.

Who supports all this work? This programme of volunteering activity has been financially supported by Scottish Forestry, the Albyn Housing Association and the Coop - the funds are used to pay for tools and materials, etc.

Photos: You can see photos of our ongoing activities on our Faceook page. Please send us your own photos of work you that have done in the woods - or any jobs that you think need tackling.