Planning your volunteering for the year ahead
Volunteering does not need to be all or nothing.
For many Scottish Food and Drink Ambassadors, it is about choosing small, manageable moments across the year that fit around work and life.
A little forward planning can help you spot opportunities that suit your availability, interests and capacity.
Some things to keep in mind
Careers events often take place between October and November and again from January to March
February is STEM Ambassador Week in Scotland
March includes Scottish Apprenticeship Week
After Easter, secondary schools tend to focus on exams, but there are still opportunities to support young people, such as judging competitions or taking part in short challenges
Primary schools engage with volunteers throughout the year
Ways you can get involved
There is no single way to volunteer as a Scottish Food and Drink Ambassador. Activities can be shaped around what feels right for you.
This might include:
Giving a short talk or presentation
Supporting a careers or employability event
Running a simple activity or workshop
Mentoring, tutoring or offering workplace insight
You only need to complete one activity a year to be an Ambassador. That activity could reach five young people or five hundred. Both matter.
If you already have an idea for an activity, or have made a connection with a school independently, we have guidance to help you log this activity on the STEM Learning platform.
Capturing this information helps us evidence the collective impact of the programme, demonstrate the value of industry engagement, and continue building strong connections between industry and education.
