S6 Voluntary Service Programme
External Voluntary Service
1. The Pilton Scheme
Last session 30 students participated in the Pilton Project. The scheme is run by the Charity "Circle" in Pilton, and each of our S6 students is allocated a Primary School child to work with, for one afternoon a week throughout the school year. These children often come from multiply deprived homes, and our students help them with homework or simply play with them and get to know them. This is quite demanding, and requires you to be genuinely interested in younger people, and to show real commitment. We would expect that, having begun this project, you would see it through. You will receive training at an early stage of the project, which may involve senior pupils from other schools, and you will be certificated at the end. If you wish to take part in this, you should pick up additional material and a parental consent form. The scheme runs from 4 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. If you are taking part you can leave school at 2.35 p.m. in order to change out of your uniform and have plenty of time to travel to Pilton. Participation in the scheme is worth 4 points. Clearly, this would be a fantastic opportunity for anyone intending to enter Social Work, Medicine, Dentistry, Teaching, the Church or anything to do with children. However, what really matters is having the right qualities. We are really very proud of those students who participated in this scheme over past sessions. Participation is worth 4 points
2. Child Law Centre
This involves helping at the Centre in a wide variety of contexts. This is a good opportunity for anyone considering a career in law. Participation is worth 1 point per period.
3. Cowgate Nursery
Pupils have the chance to work with very young children. This is a good opportunity for anyone who is interested in a career which involves the care of children. Participation is worth 1 point per period.
4. Dog's Trust
Founded in 1891, Dog's Trust, formerly known as the NCDL, has always campaigned on dog-welfare related issues to ensure a safe and happy future for our four-legged friends. Pupils can work with Dog's Trust at West Calder, walking the dogs or cleaning out kennels. A great opportunity for anyone pursuing a career in Veterinary Science. Participation is worth 4 points.
5. Drum
Riding for the disabled began in Edinburgh in 1959 at the Drum Estate, Gilmerton, through the inspiration of Mrs. J.G. More Nisbett. From the success of one little girl disabled with polio, the group has grown to over 250 riders. In 1965 The Drum Group became one of the founder members of the "Advisory Council on Riding for the Disabled", now the Riding for the Disabled Association. This is a great opportunity to combine a love of people and a love of horses. Participation is worth 4 points.
6. Elms Project
This involves helping with a range of activities at The Elms, a Church of Scotland Residential Unit for Older People. This is a good opportunity for anyone considering a career in medicine, occupational therapy, physiotherapy or working with people. Participation in the scheme is worth 4 points.
7. Eric Liddell Centre
The Eric Liddell Centre is a living memorial to Eric Liddell and has been serving the local and wider Edinburgh community for more than twenty five years. Services provided include specialised day care for people with dementia, Café Gold, a range of projects for frail, elderly people, and a project for carers that provides a drop-in, and educational, social and health based courses. Here pupils have the chance to work in Café Gold, serve lunches and become involved in the Day Care programme. This is a great opportunity for pupils interested in a career which is people centred. Participation is worth 4 points.
8. Primary Schools:
Flora Stevenson, Pilrig Park, Prospect House, Royston
Opportunities with these primary schools have arisen through initial weekly experience in S5. Pupils have pursued a desire to carry on with their work experience in S6 and the primary schools have been delighted to have them back. The link has then continued with future year groups. Participation is worth 4 points
9. Greyfriars Project
Volunteers help to make a range of items out of old pews. This is a great opportunity for 2 pupils to work with an expert craftsman and help others from the Grassmarket Mission make small wooden items such as mirror frames, bird houses and tables. Participation is worth 4 points.
10. Headway House
This project involves working at Headway House, a charity for head injured people based in premises at the Astley Ainslie Hospital in Morningside. You will be involved in various care activities; in particular, you may be asked to assist in the swimming pool, although you do not have to be a strong swimmer. Headway was particularly grateful for our help last session and we built up the numbers involved, having someone there for most of the day, Monday to Thursday. Participation is worth 4 points.
11. Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is an international, humanitarian aid and development charitable organisation that focuses on emergency relief services, economic development and civil society initiatives. Pupils have the opportunity to work within the Fundraising department - supporting the Communications Officer and getting involved with the website, database, graphic design and donor research, or they can work with the Global Citizens team which is a new project working with engaging youth in many aspects of global development. Pupils with an interest in wide world issues should find this of great interest. Participation is worth 4 points
12. Oxfam Project
This involves helping in the Oxfam shops (general charity shop and specialist music and books shop) on Nicolson Street. Participation in the scheme is worth 1 point per period.
13. Shelter
This involves helping in the Shelter Shop (general charity shop) on Forrest Road. Participation in the scheme is worth 1 point per period.
14. Teens +
This is a pilot transitional education programme for young people aged 17 - 24, who have complex additional support needs and communication problems. Pupils support young people in a group setting, working with and supported by trained staff. Participation is worth 4 points.
15. The Grassmarket Mission
This has proven to be a very successful project. It involves working with homeless people at the drop-in centre round the corner from the school in Candlemaker Row. In Session 2006-2007, the project operated on Wednesdays and Fridays from
11.00 am. Participation is worth 4 points.
16. The Royal Edinburgh Hospital
This scheme presents opportunities to work as a volunteer in the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, for mentally ill patients in Morningside, both helping in the tearoom, with the mobile library and befriending patients in the hope of bridging the gap between the hospital and the community. Careful training will be given. This is demanding work - participation counts for 4 points.
Internal Voluntary Service
17. After School Club
Pupils have the opportunity to work in the After School Club during period 9, in particular. This is the time when staff in the ASC would appreciate help as they settle the little ones in. This counts for 1 point per period.
18. Befriending Scheme
The Befriending scheme for S1 & 2, acknowledges the importance of providing a variety of opportunities for young people to discuss how they are feeling. The Befriending Scheme involves S6 pupils going into S1 and S2 classes (at least) once a week throughout the year to spend time with the class. Listening training, through Childline Scotland is provided. Participation in the scheme is worth 2 points.
19. Junior School Library Helpers
This involves working in the Junior School library during Junior School lunchtimes, supervising pupils and helping generally. This counts for 1 point per period.
20. Junior School Playground Management
This involves assisting the Junior School auxiliaries with looking after the playground during Junior School break, for one day a week, and would require you to help with small children, intervene in difficult situations and eat lots of sweeties. This counts for 1 point per period.
21. Senior School Library Helpers
This involves working in the Senior School library during Senior School lunchtimes, supervising pupils and helping generally. This counts for 1 point per period.
22. S6 Pupil Helper Scheme
Many S6 students help for a period or two a week in the Support for Learning Department, assisting pupils of all ages either within the Department or in other subject areas - this is varied and extremely useful work, which counts for 1 point per period.
23. The Junior School
S6 pupils are attached to specific Junior School classes; we regard this as a very important relationship for all parties involved, and many Junior School Staff have been very appreciative of S6 help in recent years. This counts for 1 point per period.
24. The Nursery
For several years, S6 pupils have helped out in the Nursery - indeed, there are S6 pupils in the Nursery at most times, though they are particularly helpful at lunchtime (period 6). Many S6 students find that their happiest moments are spent in the Nursery. This counts for 1 point per period.