Eglinton Country Park alongside North Ayrshire Ranger Service celebrated Volunteers Week (2-9 June).
Volunteers were invited to Eglinton Community Gardens on Wednesday 4 June to enjoy a thank you breakfast as Countryside Ranger’s Linda and Graeme put on a lovely spread to share their thanks for everyone’s ongoing commitment.
Volunteers from the Veterans Group, Eglinton Park Path Stewards, Breaking Ground Horticulture, Ground Force Garden Group and the Friday Conservation Volunteers were all in attendance at the polytunnel hub in the heart of the local community gardens.
In the past year the groups have volunteered a staggering 3,500 hours combined of volunteering to the local country park.
Ranger Linda shared: “We’re so grateful that we have such amazing volunteers whom we are lucky enough to work alongside here at Eglinton Country Park and Eglinton Community Gardens.
“Each week I look forward to connecting with them all. Although all the groups are very different, they all share the same ethos of enjoying socialising outdoors, learning new skills, improving mental health through gardening and conservation and dedicating their own time selflessly to give back to their community.
“We really appreciative the efforts of such incredible individuals and it was lovely to celebrate them during Volunteers Week.”
Volunteers shared:
- “Coming to the Breaking Ground Group has really improved my confidence and I’ve made new friends here who have similar interests to me, so it has been a nice change of scenery.”
- “I’m proud to volunteer to support the Ranger Service at Eglinton Country Park. It gives me something to look forward to and it is my way of giving back to the local community, while keeping my mind sharp!”
- With a Path Stewards volunteer sharing: “Thank you to North Ayrshire Ranger Service for looking after us. We couldn’t volunteer at our local country park without your dedication and support.”
With volunteering happening most days of the week, the local country park offers a host of opportunities including:
- Monday’s Eglinton Park Path Stewards Group: A group of volunteers who help make the core pathways of Eglinton Park accessible for all. Meeting point: Stone shelter opposite the main carpark, every Monday 9.30am until 12.30pm. Main focus of the group is on path maintenance, remedial works and erosion control. This is a facilitated group who are self-led during activity.
- Tuesday’s Breaking Ground Horticulture Group: A gentle gardening group at Eglinton Community Gardens. Meeting point: Blue bee cabin closest to Irvine/Kilwinning Rd entrance near bus stop, 9.30am until 12.30pm. A group for people to come together, make friends, learn about growing whilst being active in the outdoors and reap the benefits of connecting to nature. Led by a trained Horticultural practitioner.
- Thursday’s Ground Force Gardening Group: A community garden group at Eglinton Community Gardens. Meeting point: Blue bee cabin closest to Irvine/Kilwinning Rd entrance near bus stop, 9.30am until 12.30pm. Ground Force is open to all members of the community. It is an active and fun group focussing on friendship, physical activity and growing. Led by North Ayrshire Ranger Service.
- Friday Volunteers Group: A local biodiversity and Conservation focussed gardening group. Meeting point: Stone shelter opposite the main carpark, every Friday 9.30am until 12.30pm. Group focuses on a range of tasks from practical conservation e.g invasive species control and wildlife surveying, visitor management and supporting Eglinton Community Gardens. Led by North Ayrshire Ranger Service.
If you would like to get involved or do some volunteering with your teams, check out the Staff Volunteering webpage on Connects.
Eglinton Park also used Volunteers Week to highlight the advantages of corporate volunteering as the team can also welcome local businesses to come along for team-building days.
Henry Jamieson from land management company Bell Ingram recently attended with his team to the park to do some corporate volunteering.
He said: “Spending time outdoors at Eglinton Park allows you to disconnect from the usual office setting and enjoy fresh air, greenery, the calming effects of nature and being able to get your hands dirty in the process. Volunteering at a local park gives you a chance to connect with the community, make a visible impact, and support a shared public space that benefits everyone.
“Whether planting trees, cleaning up trails, or just tidying up the gardens, you can see the tangible results of your work – which is deeply rewarding. Bell Ingram have really enjoyed being able to contribute to the upkeep and improvement of a local recreational space that so many people and families enjoy. It’s a way to give back with purpose. Thanks for having us Eglinton Country Park.”
Amanda Downie, Senior Countryside Ranger is also encouraging residents, visitors and local businesses to get involved.
She said: “Volunteering outdoors is a fantastic way to feel part of your local community. Time spent in nature also has proven health and wellbeing benefits for all ages. So, if you want to do your part for local biodiversity and conservation, meet new friends, learn practical skills and help us to make the park the best it can be, why not volunteer your time at one of Eglinton Country Park’s weekly volunteering groups?”
Email: eglintoncountrypark@north-ayrshire.gov.ukto get involved and stay tuned for updates on the Eglinton Country Park Facebook page.