Developing the site
Another section of thistles and docks has been cleared on the allotment this winter by our Tuesday adult volunteers. Growing from seed is partly undertaken in the nursery rooms, partly at volunteers’ homes so that we have plenty to plant out on newly prepared plots.
In early spring, nursery children helped top up the water level in the bog garden, replenish the compost in the raised beds, destone the soil in the polytunnel and choose the veg they want to grow in the spring.
Children’s Voices – The Beehive Garden
Our young volunteers from Dunbar Grammar School have been spending time alongside the nursery children in the Beehive Garden. The girls join the children outdoors where they lead a range of fun and engaging activities. From making nature wands and planting seeds, to heading off on bug hunts, the garden has become a lively and imaginative space where the children and volunteers can explore and learn together.
This project gives the young volunteers the chance to gain valuable hands-on childcare experience while also creating a lovely intergenerational connection. The girls have shown great enthusiasm and kindness, building warm relationships with the children and helping make each visit to the Beehive Garden feel special.
As part of evaluating the project, we wanted to hear directly from the children about what the Beehive Garden and time with the “big girls” means to them. To do this, we co-designed a Feelings Flowers activity with the children. They coloured in flower pictures and petals, and together we wrote their thoughts and feelings on the petals. While working on their artwork, the girls from Dunbar Grammar chatted with the children using simple prompts and questions, helping them share their thoughts and feelings.
The activity sparked lots of conversation about the big kids and the Beehive. Their words clearly showed just how much they enjoy both the space and the company of the older pupils. Some of the lovely things they shared included:
- “We love planting seeds and having fun.”
- “They come and play with us.”
- “I love the Beehive. We have a tractor and a polytunnel you can go in and eat the things we grow.”
- “We love the big girls. I get excited when they come to see us and take us in the garden to play games.”
- “I remember going to the Beehive Garden with the big girls and we found lots of bees, and we have teeny tiny water cups for them.”
- “The garden is a happy place. I like trying the peas and tomatoes in the big tent.”
The girls from Dunbar Grammar did a wonderful job supporting our evaluation. They sat patiently with the children, listened carefully to what they had to say and helped capture their thoughts and feelings. Their playful approach really helped bring the activity to life.
It was clear to see that the children truly value these visits. The Beehive Garden is not just a place to grow plants, it is a place for adventure, discovery and where children can try something new. The Feelings Flowers activity has left us with some lovely artwork that captures the children’s voices and their enthusiasm for the project. It also highlights how meaningful these shared experiences are for everyone involved.
Impact on Young Volunteers
In addition to supporting the evaluation, the girls from Dunbar Grammar School have been gaining valuable hands-on experience through their regular volunteering at the Beehive as part of their childcare course. Spending time within the nursery environment has allowed them to develop practical skills, build confidence, and deepen their understanding of working with young children in a real-life setting. The girls have worked diligently to bond with the wee ones, forming special and meaningful relationships.
They have played games both indoors and outdoors, read stories inside and out they have brought a sense of fun and energy to each visit. Their ability to engage so naturally has been a real strength, and it is clear that these connections are valued by both the children and the volunteers themselves.
The girls have also supported a range of wider Beehive Garden events, including garden open days such as a Mad Hatter’s tea party. They helped design treasure hunts and took on hosting roles during the events, showing creativity and confidence. In addition, they played a key role in delivering our festive celebrations, helping to run a festive party complete with hot chocolate and seasonal games. These events were well received by families, giving parents valuable opportunities to come together, connect with others, and see first-hand the activities and experiences taking place within the Beehive Garden.
Staff have been very impressed with how the girls have integrated into the nursery. They have shown initiative, enthusiasm, and a willingness to help, often slotting in seamlessly without needing much direction. Karen Divers noted that having the extra support has helped mornings run more smoothly, and praised the volunteers for being hardworking, reliable, and able to build strong connections with the children.
Positive Outcomes
The impact of the project has extended beyond the nursery, with very positive outcomes for the young volunteers. Notably, three of the girls who took part have successfully secured apprenticeships with Dunbar After School Club. They shared that their time at the nursery provided them with valuable, real-life examples to draw on during interviews, helping them feel more prepared and confident.
The girls themselves spoke very positively about their experiences:
“I gained so much confidence, not just around the kids but with the staff and parents too. Everyone was really nice and made us feel welcome.” – Millie
“I wasn’t even going to do the childcare course, but I am so glad that I did. I am now looking at becoming a paediatric nurse. I loved being at the nursery and around the children and I knew then I had made a great decision.” – Annieliese
These reflections highlight the wider value of the project in supporting young people to build confidence, develop career pathways, and gain meaningful insight into working with children.
Wider Community Impact
Intergenerational Work
The young volunteers have also contributed their time at Dunbar Day Centre, where they have supported staff and built meaningful connections with residents. Their roles have included serving lunches, making tea and coffee, washing dishes, and hosting quizzes. Their presence has brought energy and warmth, and this year has been a particularly bright one for everyone involved. The residents have greatly enjoyed having the young people spend time with them, chatting, sharing stories, and building friendships across generations. The young volunteers themselves reflected on how rewarding these experiences have been:
“I had a lot of fun getting to know everyone and there were some lovely moments. I remember Maggie with her witches hat on Halloween, she made me laugh. I have spent lots of time talking to her, she told me about her nursing days. She is always keen to hear how my studies are going.”
“The best thing has been getting to know everyone, building relationships and chatting together. We talked about what they were doing at my age and most were already out at work! I’ve really enjoyed volunteering, it’s been brilliant.”
Claire Ainslie, manager of the day centre, shared
“They have been totally exceptional, down to earth, caring young people. They lighten up the atmosphere and nothing is too much trouble, from serving meals, recycling, washing dishes, serving tea and hosting quizzes. It’s great to have their extra help and their commitment and dedication has been exemplary.”
Feedback from the day centre users themselves reflects the impact of these relationships
“Thank you, volunteers, for bringing so much fun, sparkle and sunshine.”
Moments like this remind us just how meaningful these connections are, not only for the residents but also for the young people, who gain confidence, empathy and a deeper understanding of their community.
All of the young volunteers who have supported both the Beehive Garden and the day centre have been recognised for their commitment and contribution through receiving prestigious Saltire Awards. This recognition highlights their dedication, hard work, and the positive difference they have made across the community.
The project has created opportunities for connection, learning and growth across generations from nursery children discovering the joy of outdoor play, to young people developing skills and confidence, and older community members enjoying companionship and shared experiences.
A heartfelt thank you to all of our volunteers from Dunbar Grammar School for their enthusiasm, kindness and commitment, and to the children and day centre users who have shared their voices and experiences. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the nursery staff for their ongoing support, and to the staff at the day centre all of who have helped nurture, guide and encourage our young people throughout their volunteering journey. Finally, we would like to acknowledge and thank the staff at Dunbar Grammar School for their support in facilitating this opportunity and enabling the young people to take part in such a valuable and enriching experience.
Carey Douglas