Aberdeen Forward Ltd Gillian Marr Volunteer & Operations Manager

Overview Aberdeen Forward background Funding Organisation Structure Volunteers Sustainable Communities Centre Summary of projects Master Composter Programme Aberdeen City Community Composting Aberdeenshire Community Composting Composting at Work & Schools Real Nappy Project Transition Aberdeen Creative Waste Exchange Refurbishment Project Volunteering Opportunities Why People Volunteer Opening times

Aberdeen Forward Background Aberdeen Forward is an environmental charity and emerging social enterprise which initiates and supports waste minimisation and sustainability projects around the North East Established in 1999 We work with communities and businesses to educate and promote projects that help to protect our environment, reduce waste and encourage sustainable living

Funding Apply to a number of funds including Big Lottery’s Awards for All, INCREASE, Transforming Waste, Climate Challenge, Fairer Scotland and Third Sector Service Level agreements with Councils Raising own funds through sales, sponsorship, renting out office space, bookable meeting/workshop rooms, virtual office space and workshops

Sustainable Communities Centre Purchased through landfill tax Rent out office space, hot desking and virtual office facilities Social, environmental, well being and arts information on display from numerous organisations Hire of meeting / workshop rooms Range of environmental and art workshops and classes Range of good quality, low cost resources available

Volunteers Started with Master Composter project in 2003 and increased with the Eco Challenge Centralised the volunteering process with the creation of the Volunteer & Operation Managers post in 2008 Have over 105 volunteers working across the projects Going through the Investing in Volunteers process The Investing in Volunteers scheme is the UK standard for all organisations which involve volunteers in their work. The standard enables organisations to comprehensively review their volunteer management and also publicly demonstrate their commitment to volunteering (

Summary of Projects Master Composter Programme Aberdeen City Composting Project Aberdeenshire Composting Project Composting at Work & Schools Real Nappy Project Transition Aberdeen Creative Waste Exchange Refurbishment Project

Master Composter Programme Recruit and train composting volunteers across the North East Working alongside WRAP to sell discounted compost bins Promote home composting within their own communities by providing advice, support, attending events and giving presentations About 70 volunteers

Aberdeen City Composting Project Composting garden waste close to where it is generated Based in allotments, community gardens and streets Garthdee and Slopefield allotments, Middlefield Community Garden, Gladstone Place, Gray Street and Grampian Gardens

Aberdeenshire Community Composting Project Fortnightly kerbside garden waste collection Garden waste composted locally in purpose built facilities Based in Peterhead, Methlick, Oldmeldrum, Pitcaple, Insch, Chapel of Garioch, Aboyne, Banchory, Drumoak, Inverbervie, Gourdan, Johnshaven and St Cyrus

Composting at Work & Schools Funded by Scottish Executive’s INCREASE programme and Climate Challenge Fund Trains and supports staff in business and schools to deal with their food residue using an in vessel compost unit on site The organic waste turns to compost which is used on site as a soil improver

Real Nappy Project Encouraging new parents to use real nappies on their baby 8 million disposables landfilled daily Saves parents money as well as the environment – about £500 for the first baby Covers the Grampian region Hold Nappacinos around the North East Provide 2 week lend kits to new parents as a try before you buy incentive

Transition Aberdeen Funded by Climate Challenge Fund The main aim is to help communities in the city to take positive steps to reduce their carbon footprint and their dependency on oil. From food production and composting to community energy schemes and reuse workshops Transition Aberdeen will show how these small actions can have a positive effect on the local environment

Creative Waste Exchange Collects materials donated by local business and industry Materials diverted from landfill Sorted, prepared and sold to community groups and individuals as a good quality, low cost resource Began trading November 2005 Businesses donating range from oil related companies and department stores to furniture makers and joiners to art galleries and sign makers Sponsorship/Donation accepted for Joining Or delivery fee and item charge for one off collections

Materials Accepted Office Furniture Stationery Arts and Craft Resources Mounting Card Paint Fabric Cellophane And other interesting bits and bobs Nothing electrical

Community Members Membership is open to schools, university societies, youth groups, charities, voluntary organisations, art groups, church groups and individuals Benefits of membership, access to the Aladdin’s Cave of resources, discounted workshops, regular newsletter and a monthly update Annual Membership Community Groups£30 +VAT Individuals £10 +VAT

Refurbishment Project An offshoot project of the Creative Waste Exchange Repairs/makes good any piece of furniture which comes in Timber headed for landfill is cut down to make fire wood 2 new members of staff employed to carry out this project

Workshops 10 week upholstery 6 week back to basics sewing Rag rugging Knitting Recycled Fashion Sustainable living Gardening for the table Ethical Gardening And many more to come!

Volunteer Opportunities As a charity we depend on volunteers Opportunities include Warehouse duties Driving Data inputting Running workshops Attending events and marketing Helping out on with retail sales on Open Days Bespoke projects CWE teamed up with student volunteers from University of Aberdeen, RGU and Aberdeen College for ad hoc volunteering sessions

Volunteering Any age, ability and availability Volunteers include people with mental health issues, physically disabled, retired, long term employed, drug and alcohol problems, graduates from college and university, secondary school pupils and environmentally minded people.

Benefits Helps the local community and environment Helps get into a routine as a work related activity and which gives people the flexibility to search for onward employment Helps CV’s Gain a reference Increase skills Increase confidence

Why Volunteers Volunteer “To help out and give us something to do on a Monday morning” “Because I like to help people and like getting out to meet people” “Help build my confidence” “Enjoy being outdoors” “Meet new people, learn new skills, doing my bit for the environment” “to gain work experience in an office environment and to contribute to the community in a positive way”

Why Volunteers Volunteer “Have graduated from Uni with a degree in Sustainable Development and am looking to gain experience in a working environment” “Develop my skills and experience in Environmental Management. Promote and create environmental awareness within the region” “Long life interest in saving the planet and a desire to make a difference, at least locally”

Opening Hours Mon, Tues, Wed and Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm Thursday 9.30am – 7.30pm First Saturday of every month 10am – 2pm During the week to buy from the Exchange you need to be a member Anyone can buy on the open Saturdays

Come And Visit Us! Aberdeen Forward Ltd 2 Poynernook Road Aberdeen AB11 5RW