Forestry Commission seek Community Champions

If you'd like to train as a forestry volunteer, Forestry Commission Scotland's Voluntary Community Champion (VCC) Programme could be for you.

Delivered in partnership with CEMVO Scotland (Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations), this one-year initiative trains people from minority groups to lead events and activities in woodlands and forests.

Zain Sehgal, a 29-year-old entrepreneur from East Kilbride who runs the organisation Boots & Beards took part in the programme and won Volunteer Community Champion of the Year 2016, at the Ethnic Minority Impact Awards hosted by CEMVO Scotland.

Zain Sehgal, said:

"I chose to become a Volunteer Community Champion to gain the knowledge and skills required so I could cater for various age groups, educate people on the woodlands whilst we walk and offer different activities that would suit everyone."

The VCC training initiative was set up to promote access to local woodlands no matter a person’s race, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, religion or beliefs.   

For more information visit the Forestry Commission Scotland website.