Project Assistant Blog: My time at Climate FORTH

Hello, my name is Margaret and I’m the Project Assistant for the Climate FORTH Project. This is a training and development role for one year and is my first job after graduating with MA History from the University of Edinburgh in 2023. 

I’ve always had an interest in the environment and conservation since volunteering with Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park in 2018. As a result, this role seemed a perfect blend of my interests in heritage and the environment - as well as providing me with a smooth transition into the world of work enabling me to develop a variety of skills which will contribute to my future career. 

My main task has been to organise and lead Family Focused Outreach sessions at heritage assets around the Inner Forth. This activity is aimed at local families living within each of the four council areas that lie within the project boundary: Falkirk, Stirling, Fife and Clackmannanshire. The sessions were designed for these families to help them connect, through fun, interactive activities, to their local heritage assets such as a nearby wetland, woodland and historical buildings. It was our hope that they would recognise what’s on their doorstep, and also experience the benefits of spending time in nature and exploring local heritage sites.

Throughout the summer, we worked with three family groups from Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire. Home Start Stirling and Home Start Falkirk provide support to local families experiencing challenges and our Clackmannanshire group, Active8 Sauchie, work to create a range of recreational and leisure activities for the community of Sauchie to promote health and wellbeing.  

Each family group attended three sessions, all of which were customised to their specific needs and requirements. One of the benefits of my role has been allowing me to tailor and design the sessions in my own way, applying my creative tastes and developing my organisation skills. The sessions explored themes around nature, history and wildlife through various activities, from pond-dipping and forest fun to historical re-enactments and beachcombing at heritage sites including Blackness beach, Alloa Tower, Devilla Forest, Muiravonside Country Park and RSPB Black Devon Wetlands. Being in charge of these sessions also enabled me to develop new skills in the logistics of running an event. For example, I arranged minibus transport for some of the families to help them access the sites and organised appropriate pick up and drop off points. 

For many of these families, the sessions helped to provide a moment of nature connection which many typically don’t get to experience in their everyday lives. For example, the pond-dipping sessions were not only fascinating for the children, but for the parents as well, many of whom were unaware of the variety and complexity of life living in our ponds! The historical re-enactments were particularly enjoyable for many where we had a weapons demonstration, storytelling and an opportunity for the children to dress up as Roman soldiers.

“Thoroughly enjoyed today and hearing all about the history of Scotland and having a tour of Alloa Tower. Costumes, weapons and stories were great. Kids loved it :)” - Parent feedback from one of our built heritage sessions

 

Studies have been conducted by a number of environmental organisations that have proven the more people connect to nature and heritage, the more they feel empowered to protect it and care for it, whether that’s in their everyday lives, or through bigger commitments such as volunteering. The feedback we’ve received from the families certainly suggests this, and many have been very positive and have reflected on the enjoyment the sessions provided for them. In addition, they appreciated the opportunity to spend time outdoors.  

I hope I have managed to provide some positive impact on all those who came to our sessions and I have certainly learnt a lot, in terms of the need for and importance of protecting our heritage and the environment and involving local families in this who can benefit greatly in the long term. 

For me, organising and leading these sessions has been both exciting and a challenge, from learning the basics of running an event and managing a budget to the importance of adhering to safeguarding practices. But, most importantly, it has enabled me to develop key skills such as public speaking, research, and project management which will undoubtedly help me in my future career. 

Written by Margaret Dickie, our Climate FORTH Project Assistant.