Robertson Trust Summer Internship Scheme
Circular Communities Scotland were delighted to host another intern this year as part of the Robertson Trust 2022 Summer Internship Scheme. The scheme was established in 2014 to support 3rd year Robertson Scholars to enhance their C.V and gain valuable experience in the workplace before entering their final year of university.
We were joined this year by Tiegan, a University of Stirling student going into her fourth year of her Business Studies degree. Tiegan was interested in learning about the impact community food initiatives have in Scotland’s circular economy, and how they market their work.
Findings and Insights
During her time with us Tiegan engaged with a variety of Circular Communities Scotland members including SHRUB Coop, Transition Stirling and Fresh Start among others – all of whom provide community food initiatives across the country. Tiegan discovered they share the common goal of tackling food waste, whilst supporting and enabling local communities to access fresh, quality produce.
Their services provide a crucial lifeline in tackling the prevalent cost of living crisis our country is currently facing. Tiegan’s report ‘Telling the Story of Community Food Projects in Scotland’ looks at their impact, services, as well as how these organisations market their work and spread the word about the vital assistance they offer.
Tiegan says…
‘I have really enjoyed working with Circular Communities Scotland over the last few weeks and getting to know more about what they do, but also more about food initiatives across Scotland. Through this I was able to create a report, focusing specifically on food hubs and community fridges and the impact they have on their local communities and the environment. The report also looked at marketing from a third sector perspective and what methods each of the case studies used to share their story. I had an amazing experience working with such a lovely team, and seeing all the hard work that goes into food initiatives in Scotland. Food hubs and community fridges have an overwhelming impact on creating community networks and encourage them to strive to achieve Net Zero.
I am very grateful that I was able to chat to and meet some of the individuals running these hubs and fridges, during the course of my internship. I appreciate all of the support and information they provided.
I appreciate all the community fridges and food hubs, the Circular Communities Scotland team and The Robertson Trust for making my internship such a positive experience. I would like to send an extra thanks to my intern manager, Sarah Case, she supported me all the way through my internship and encouraged me to have fun throughout.’
If you’d like to learn more and read Tiegan’s Report, email sarah@circularcommunities.scot.