Meet the Volunteers!
Our volunteers love their time at Compass – find out what inspired them to sign up in the Volunteer Profiles below!
ACVO Mental Health Week, 2021
Hear from our Volunteers
Eline Vaar
What inspired you to volunteer for Compass?
I wanted to do something a bit different and I enjoy volunteering, having done so for the kids’ toddler, playgroup and schools over the years. As a family, we love visiting Newton Dee [local Camphill organisation for adults with additional support needs] and love living so close to the Camphill community, so we wanted to be involved in this project. It’s also wonderful to see this beautiful property slowly brought back to life to be a community space.
What do you get up to when you are onsite?
I have helped clear vegetation, build compost piles and no-dig beds as well as gardening tasks such as weeding, pruning, planting and shrub management.
How do you find volunteering with us?
I thoroughly enjoy volunteering at Compass. There’s always an opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and, at the end of each session, you can usually see what a difference your work has made which is very satisfying.
Will you volunteer for us in the future?
Yes! I look forward to continuing to volunteer with Compass for as long as I’m needed, especially to trying new things as the site evolves.
What are your thoughts on the project?
It’s a wonderful opportunity for everyone in our community. Not only are the plans for the future very exciting, but the chance to be a part of it right from the beginning is wonderful. I have always been made to feel very welcome and so have my children.
Being out in the fresh air with others, seeing changes happening and feeling like I was part of a bigger process. I have also enjoyed meeting others who are enthused about the project. Sense of community, healthy activities. Very friendly co-ordinator and other helpers so feeling of welcome is lovely. I also value the fact that I only manage a couple of hours but this is still appreciated and I don’t feel guilty when I feel like my body needs to stop! Beautiful grounds to work in.
I’m so pleased the site is going to be used by the Camphill Trust and it sounds like it will be a real asset to the community.
I enjoyed being part of the volunteering group and feeling that, however small, what I was doing was worthwhile.
I have always had the desire and incline to volunteer my time to a charity and help out where I can.
Coming across your project sounded like the perfect place to volunteer my time. To help a worthy cause and hopefully meet some new people with similar interests along the way will be nice. I enjoy physical and outdoor activities and it just seemed right to give it a go and see how it will develop from there. Who knows I might even learn some new skills along the way. The flexible timing also works out for me which is another reason why I joined.
Neil & Jackie Connon
Neil & Jackie Connon have been involved with Compass since November 2020.
What inspired you to volunteer at Compass?
When we first heard about the Compass Project we were both very excited and keen to get involved. I have a passion for nutrition and was keen to participate in a local project that supports healthy & sustainable living for the community, right on my doorstep.
The project’s ethos also reflects our own feelings on how to live well in the future, for us, the local community and the planet. Jackie comments: “When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 the support I received from Camphill Wellbeing Trust was a key part of my path to recovery. So we both wanted to support this project and give something back.”
How have you been involved onsite?
We have helped to clear vegetation, leaves and shrubs, assisted in moving logs/wood around the site, cleared paths and steps and been involved in planting.
How has the project benefitted you?
Each time we volunteer, we come away with a great sense of well being and satisfaction. We have acquired new skills sparking off an interest in tackling our own garden and growing more plants for healthy eating at home. We were also both keen to get more involved with the community, a point perhaps enhanced by the onset of COVID. Compass has provided us with the opportunity and satisfaction of working with people in our community who are equally enthusiastic and committed to the project.
Adrian Scott
Adrian Scott started volunteering for the Compass project in February 2021 after COVID restrictions limited his involvement with neighbouring charity, Camphill Schools Aberdeen.
His chainsaw skills, along with assistance from two other volunteers, have helped to remove 12 trees which were due to come down as part of Compass’ tree management plan.
Happy to lend a hand to the project, Adrian’s skills in wood-working include fence-building, repair work of benches and planters along with his interest in ‘big’ woodwork projects will no doubt come in handy going forward.
Get involved!
If you would like to join us on future onsite days, sign-up as a volunteer by clicking on the green button. There’s always a wide range of outdoor tasks for you to get stuck into and indoor ones when the weather is bad!