Local Volunteering Gateway project
Created to promote the benefits of volunteering across Edinburgh, our new Local Volunteering Gateway project is a dedicated service for people who want to explore what volunteering can do for them. Our team of Volunteering Development Officers, each based in different areas of the city, will help you on your journey into volunteering.
| What does our Local Volunteering Gateway project offer? | ||
|---|---|---|
| We are focused on getting people into volunteering | ||
| We want to help as many people as possible explore the benefits that come from volunteering on an individual level and to the wider community.* | ||
| We are based across the city to make it easier for you to access our service. | ||
| You can find us in the North West, North East, South West and South East.† | ||
| We run regular drop-in sessions. | ||
| We can also be found in local hubs and at community events. | ||
* If you are completely new to volunteering or have taken a break and would like to restart, get in touch with us. † Based on the City of Edinburgh Council locality areas. | ||
Feel free to speak to us individually (regional details below) or by emailing gateway@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk and find out more about what we can do for you! If you are completely new to volunteering or have taken a break and would like to restart, get in touch with us. Look out for our drop-in sessions and follow us on social media to keep up to date.
North West Edinburgh
Supporting people into volunteering to gain new skills, make friends, support a cause they love, and build confidence across the North West of Edinburgh.
Feel free to attend one of my drop-in sessions, or we can arrange a one-to-one by sending me an email or reaching out by text or call. This can be an informal chat and I’m happy to meet you at your local hub or community centre.
 | Natalie Lyons Ballantine Volunteering Development Officer North West Edinburgh* Hello! My name is Natalie and I am the Volunteering Development Officer for North West Edinburgh. Based in Pilton, you’ll find me anywhere between Stockbridge to South Queensferry! I joined Volunteer Edinburgh from the Culture & Heritage sector where I spent several years supporting and developing opportunities for volunteers and employees across a variety of roles – from galleries to gardens. With an understanding of the diverse paths that lead people into volunteering, I look forward to connecting each person to the right opportunity for them, keeping their interests and goals at heart. Whether you would like to give something back to an organisation you love, gain new skills, meet new like-minded people, change career, have a weekly activity in the calendar, (whatever the reason), if you are thinking about volunteering, I’d be delighted to help you start that journey! natalie.ballantine@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk 07300 200 933 |
* Inverleith, Trinity, Wardieburn, Royston, Granton, Pilton, Muirhouse, Drylaw, Almond, Corstorphine, and South Queensferry.
North East Edinburgh
Speak to me and find out about all the great things that are available in your local area! Feel free to attend one of my drop-in sessions, or we can arrange a one-to-one by sending me an email, text or phone call.
 | Will Toms Volunteering Development Officer North East Edinburgh* Hi, I’m Will and I am the Volunteering Development Officer for North East Edinburgh. I'm part of a new team at Volunteer Edinburgh, aiming to increase access to and participation in volunteering for as many people as possible. I’m based at the Volunteer Edinburgh main office in Leith, but you will regularly see me in Craigmillar, Portobello, Restalrig and Craigentinny. I have previously worked in several different roles with a focus on supporting people to develop their skills and increase their confidence. I always want to help people to unlock their potential and love to watch people grow as they realise what they have to offer. I’m really excited to meet you whilst I’m out and about and I look forward to helping you find the right volunteering opportunity for you, so that you can learn a new skill, give something back to your local community, meet new people or teach others. will.toms@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk 07387 090 027 |
* Leith, Restalrig, Craigentinny, Newhaven, Craigmillar and Portobello.
Will Toms our Volunteering Development Officer for the North East of Edinburgh on site at Craigmillar Library.
South East and West Edinburgh
Thought about volunteering? I’m more than happy to support you with finding the volunteer role that is right for you!
 | Finlay Macleay Volunteering Development Officer South East and West Edinburgh I’m Finlay and I’m one of three Development Officers for Volunteer Edinburgh’s new Local Volunteering Gateway Project. We are responsible for improving access to volunteering opportunities across Edinburgh and there are so many to choose from! So whether you want to volunteer to boost your employability, enhance your language skills, broaden your skillset or help your community, we are here to help you find the right opportunity. I work in South East Edinburgh on Mondays and Tuesdays and in South West Edinburgh on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. I previously worked in regional development during which I focused on building the capacity of volunteer involving organisations across the North of Scotland. With that in mind, I’m keen to get to grips with community development and the areas in which I work, whether Wester Hailes, Oxgangs or Liberton. I’m looking forward to meeting you all and I think you will be surprised by what volunteering can do for you! finlay.macleay@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk 07300 200 906 |
* Covering the whole South of the city, I'll be located at a different office in the beginning and end of the week, based at Libertus on Monday and Tuesday, and Space on Wednesday and Friday. You will find map links to both offices in the sidebar (below on mobile) on the page linked to via the button above.
