Edinburgh Edinburgh Conference Desk Project In partnership with the Edinburgh Convention Bureau, RSVP provides volunteers to staff an information stand at major conferences taking place in Edinburgh . Working in pairs, RSVP Volunteers provide tourist and visitor information about Edinburgh and Scotland to conference delegates. Volunteers are usually available for a morning or afternoon session and have direct contact with delegates. As conferences can last from one to several days, this is not a regular volunteering opportunity and there are some periods when there are no conferences. Some knowledge and enthusiasm about Edinburgh is the only requirement and volunteers will be briefed on the leaflets and brochures available to delegates. RSVP brings Edinburgh Conference Desk volunteers together a couple of times a year on a social basis. If you are interested I being an Edinburgh Conference Desk volunteer, please contact RSVP Development Officer, Miss Terry Blair on 0131 622 7766 or tblair@csv.org.uk Conference Support The Edinburgh Convention Bureau is the arm of the Edinburgh Tourist Board set up specifically to run conferences. The Bureau has asked RSVP to supply a team of volunteers to staff a support desk at conferences held in the capital. Volunteers will be given a briefing session prior to doing so and there would be a small time commitment of about 4 hours on an occasional basis. The only requirement is a knowledge and enthusiasm about Edinburgh - from where is the Castle, to where is the nearest chemist! If you would like to know more about the Conference Desk Project , please contact RSVP Development Officer, Miss Terry Blair on 0131 622 7766 or by email tblair@csv.org.uk Edinburgh/Lothian Knitting Group The RSVP Knitting Group provides hand knitted premature baby clothes for the neo-natal unit at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. They also knit hats and gloves for overseas seamen along with a prestigious number of Trauma Teddies which are sent all over the world where children are in need or distress. The group meets every couple of month in Edinburgh, to gather completed items and to sort out what else needs to be knitted. Some of the members are not able to get out but prefer to knit at home and make arrangements for their items to be collected. The Knitting Group always welcomes new members. For more details contact the Knitting Group Organiser, Lorna Simpson , through RSVP Development Officer, Terry Blair on 0131 622 7766 or email tblair@csv.org.uk Schools Project RSVP has run a Schools Project in Midlothian for the last 10 years and a similar project in Edinburgh for the last 5 years. Volunteers are matched to a primary school close to where they live and undertake to go into school for a morning or afternoon session once a week. They often start off with listening to children read but can help with a range of school activities depending on the needs of the children and the skills of the volunteers. RSVP School volunteers are required to go through an Enhanced Disclosure Scotland check before they can be placed in schools but RSVP staff and Volunteer Organisers assist with this process. Once or twice a year RSVP School Volunteers have the chance to meet up and exchange experiences, usually at a social event. We know from the schools involved with the programme that they really appreciate the help given by volunteers and can sees the positive effects on children who benefit enormously from the social contact with an older person. If you would like to know more about the Schools Project , please contact RSVP Development Officer, Miss Terry Blair on 0131 622 7766 or by email tblair@csv.org.uk The Moose in the Hoose Project Moose in the Hoose is a unique project that uses RSVP volunteers to help care home residents keep in touch with family and friends by using computers and email. The project is a partnership between the City of Edinburgh Council ’s Health and Social Care Department, RSVP and Age Concern Edinburgh Information Technology (ACE IT). RSVP volunteers with some experience of computers undergo a 10 week training course and are then placed in care homes in Edinburgh . Volunteers work in pairs and visit care homes for one morning or evening session per week. They introduce older people living in care homes to computer technology using it to make webcam links and receive photos by email, among other things. Moose in the Hoose is not recruiting volunteers at present but if you would like to read a report about the project and what it has achieved so far please go to www.aceit.org.uk Or contact RSVP Development Officer, Miss Terry Blair on 0131 622 7766 or tblair@csv.org.uk ExxonMobil Energy Challenge “At a time when we see the Earth’s natural resources diminishing and fuel costs increasing it is not surprising to learn that more and more people are unwillingly being drawn in to a condition termed ‘Fuel Poverty’.” Fuel Poverty is determined by the following: where a households costs for keeping warm exceeds more than 10% of that households income. This is where the ExxonMobil Energy Challenge programme can help. In partnership with CSV – RSVP, National Energy Action (NEA)and Energy Action Scotland ( EAS ) in Scotland, the ExxonMobil Energy Challenge will help those who are most in need to become more energy efficient and make the most of the benefits that are available. The Energy Challenge offers you the opportunity to take part in an exciting and vital programme, making a real difference across communities. To find out more or if you are interested in joining the Challenge as an Energy Champion or Energy Volunteer please feel free to contact me for more information. CONTACT DETAILS Sandy Wilkie Energy Challenge Development Officer RSVP Scotland Wellgate Hse. 200 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1NQ Tel: 0131 622 7766 - Fax: 0131 622 7755 - Mob: 07711223201 Email: swilkie@csv.org.uk - Web: www.csv-rsvp.org.uk Back to the top of the page