Latest news with #Isabel
Scotsman
a day ago
- General
- Scotsman
Two volunteers celebrate 3,500 hours of dedicated devotion to dogs
Two dog-loving volunteers who have racked up a total of nearly two decades of dedicated devotion to Dogs Trust West Calder's handsome hounds are encouraging others to come and join the volunteer team. Free weekly newsletter Join our weekly YourWorld newsletter for updates, behind-the-scenes insights from editor David Summers, and your chance to shape what's next. Free weekly newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Having spent over 3,500 hours volunteering, Isabel Taggart and Kay Wallace are urging others this Volunteers' Week to consider joining the Dogs Trust West Calder team. Isabel Taggart from Livingston has been a firm fixture at the rehoming centre since 2011, when she first joined the volunteer team as a dog walker. Isobel has always liked dogs, but as she worked full-time, she didn't have a dog of her own, so volunteering allowed her to help dogs in need. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When Isabel retired in 2017, everything changed as she adopted her first dog from Dogs Trust and continued to volunteer cleaning kennels. Isabel is so committed to the charity that both dogs she has rehomed from Dogs Trust, Jovi and Suzi, had experienced very unsettled starts in life and were proving difficult to rehome until Isabel came to the rescue. Dogs Trust West Calder Volunteer Isabel Taggart Isabel says: 'You can't take all the dogs home, but by volunteering, you are making their lives better. By cleaning the kennels, the staff can spend more time with the dogs, which makes me happy. 'As I am now retired, I feel it's nice to still be making a contribution. I enjoy coming in in the morning and seeing the dogs' faces. The longer-term dogs get to know us and respond in a positive way. I feel a real sense of achievement volunteering with Dogs Trust.' Kay Wallace, also from Livingston, began volunteering for Dogs Trust in 2021 after losing her beloved dog Pepsi the year before. Despite working full-time as a Treatment Room Nurse, Kay volunteers on Saturday and Sunday at the rehoming centre. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kay said: 'When I lost my Labrador Pepsi, I decided not to get another dog as it's too heartbreaking when they die, so instead I've been volunteering ever since. My role involves cleaning the kennels and ensuring the dogs have a comfy, clean bed, which I love doing as no dog should have a scruffy bed. Dogs Trust West Calder Volunteer Kay Wallace with Volunteer Co-ordinator Garry Lee 'Volunteering gives me so much joy. As much as I enjoy my job as a nurse, coming to the centre on the weekend are the best two days of the week. Spending time with the beautiful dogs is wonderful, especially saying good morning to them and seeing their reaction when they get to know you. I feel very much like I am part of the team at West Calder, where everyone is so hard-working and friendly. I recommend volunteering to anyone with the time and love of dogs.' Dogs Trust West Calder is currently seeking volunteers for different roles at the centre including: ·Canine Assistants who spend time helping clean the kennels and being with the dogs; Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad ·Administrators who carry out tasks such as answering the phones, filing and carrying out internet research; ·Meet and greet volunteers who are often the first point of contact for visitors, ensuring people receive a warm welcome, and have an enjoyable visit; ·Volunteer Laundry Assistants to make sure dogs have clean and fresh blankets and bedding when it's time to rest and enjoy a snooze; ·Home from Home foster carers who care for dogs in their home temporarily until they find their forever homes. Dogs Trust meets all costs involved in caring for the dog. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Although more than 60 people currently give their time to help at the centre, Volunteer Co-ordinator Garry Lee, says they would love more to join. Garry says: 'Our volunteers are amazing and go above and beyond for our dogs here at West Calder rehoming centre. They devote so much of their free time to us and are always willing to help whenever possible. Without them, giving the dogs everything they need would be much more difficult. 'Isabel has been a core member of our volunteer team for many years. When she retired, she moved closer to the centre and was then able to volunteer more often. She also helps other volunteers by giving them lifts to and from the centre. Kay is also a valued part of the team. She works extremely hard Monday to Friday as a nurse and yet spends her weekend mornings with us, looking after our dogs. We really appreciate their hard work and dedication. 'Every volunteer makes a huge difference to what we can achieve at the centre, and we welcome more local dog lovers to come and join us.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Volunteers must be aged 18 and over, and all are welcome. It's a fantastic way to develop new skills, gain further experience and meet new friends. All that's required is a positive attitude and a love of dogs. To find out more, please go to or contact Garry Lee, Volunteer Co-ordinator at [email protected]
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Life-changing adventure for one
One Gore teenager went bounding outward with Outward Bound, bringing home some incredible memories and lessons she will cherish for a long time. Isabel Dickson, 16, attends St Peter's College and was spurred on by her mum to either pick a team sport, or head away for a natural retreat. Given the choice, and considering her previous experience with a sailing course, Isabel said she thought it was a good idea to spend some time Outward Bound. "I'd already been on something similar and I heard Outward Bound was supposed to be a life-changing thing. "It seemed versatile, that it pushed you, so I thought it sounded good," she said. After funding through selling shirts, saving money, a cheeky donation from the Mataura Licensing Trust and of course a bit of help from her parents, the course was in sight. Isabel would spend 21 days based primarily in Anakiwa pushing her limits in the great outdoors. Alongside the other Outward Bound members, she sailed, trained, hiked, kayaked and became very familiar with New Zealand's nature. Isabel said one of her favourite memories was getting out on to the water, with some fantastic sights. "My favourite was the sailing — there was a lot of cool wildlife. We saw dolphins, harmless jellyfish you could swim with. "When it got dark there was bioluminescence in the water, so that was really cool," she said. It was not just fun in the outdoors, as Isabel said she gained a lot of insight into herself and a new way of pushing forward into the world. "You learned to be a lot more social and confident, you're living with 13 other strangers. It pushes you a wee bit. "A lot of patience, you don't know what you'll do every day so instead of thinking forwardly, you're thinking in the now," she said. Isabel said the mixture of challenging tasks and workshops have changed the way she will go out into the world and now looks out with a greater confidence. "It's just good. You shouldn't be scared to be who you are," she said. Even her fear of heights was challenged, but luckily Isabel said she was not facing the challenge alone. "Basically we did like cliff jumping, it was just a little bit shorter. It pushed me out of my comfort zone," she said. "But having everyone support you, so when you do go out of your comfort zone everyone's there to help,"Isabel thanked everyone who helped her get to Outward Bound, with grants given by the Mataura Licensing Trust, who gave $6000 to get Isabel to the life changing course. The River Valley Lions, Pakeke Lions, the Rotary Club, Gore RSA, and the Waikaka Hey-day committee also gave a "huge amount" to help out, alongside other businesses.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Volunteers celebrate 3,500 hours of devotion at Dogs Trust West Calder's base
Isabel Taggart and Kay Wallace are urging others this Volunteers' Week to consider joining the Dogs Trust West Calder team. Two dog-loving volunteers who have racked up a total of nearly two decades of dedicated devotion to Dogs Trust West Calder's handsome hounds are encouraging others to come and join the volunteer team. Having spent over 3,500 hours volunteering, Isabel Taggart and Kay Wallace are urging others this Volunteers' Week to consider joining the Dogs Trust West Calder team. Isabel Taggart from Livingston has been a firm fixture at the rehoming centre since 2011, when she first joined the volunteer team as a dog walker. Isobel has always liked dogs, but as she worked full-time, she didn't have a dog of her own, so volunteering allowed her to help dogs in need. When Isabel retired in 2017, everything changed as she adopted her first dog from Dogs Trust and continued to volunteer cleaning kennels. Isabel is so committed to the charity that both dogs she has rehomed from Dogs Trust, Jovi and Suzi, had experienced very unsettled starts in life and were proving difficult to rehome until Isabel came to the rescue. Isabel said: 'You can't take all the dogs home, but by volunteering, you are making their lives better. By cleaning the kennels, the staff can spend more time with the dogs, which makes me happy. 'As I am now retired, I feel it's nice to still be making a contribution. I enjoy coming in in the morning and seeing the dogs' faces. 'The longer-term dogs get to know us and respond in a positive way. I feel a real sense of achievement volunteering with Dogs Trust.' Kay Wallace, also from Livingston, began volunteering for Dogs Trust in 2021 after losing her beloved dog Pepsi the year before. Despite working full-time as a Treatment Room Nurse, Kay volunteers on Saturday and Sunday at the rehoming centre. Kay said: 'When I lost my Labrador Pepsi, I decided not to get another dog as it's too heartbreaking when they die, so instead I've been volunteering ever since. 'My role involves cleaning the kennels and ensuring the dogs have a comfy, clean bed, which I love doing as no dog should have a scruffy bed. 'Volunteering gives me so much joy. As much as I enjoy my job as a nurse, coming to the centre on the weekend are the best two days of the week. 'Spending time with the beautiful dogs is wonderful, especially saying good morning to them and seeing their reaction when they get to know you. 'I feel very much like I am part of the team at West Calder, where everyone is so hard-working and friendly. I recommend volunteering to anyone with the time and love of dogs.' Dogs Trust West Calder is currently seeking volunteers for different roles at the centre including Canine Assistants who spend time helping clean the kennels and being with the dogs; administrators who carry out tasks such as answering the phones, filing and carrying out internet research and meet and greet volunteers who are often the first point of contact for visitors, ensuring people receive a warm welcome, and have an enjoyable visit. Although more than 60 people currently give their time to help at the centre, volunteer co-ordinator Garry Lee, says they would love more to join. Garry said: 'Our volunteers are amazing and go above and beyond for our dogs here at West Calder rehoming centre. They devote so much of their free time to us and are always willing to help whenever possible. 'Without them, giving the dogs everything they need would be much more difficult. 'Isabel has been a core member of our volunteer team for many years. When she retired, she moved closer to the centre and was then able to volunteer more often. 'She also helps other volunteers by giving them lifts to and from the centre. Kay is also a valued part of the team. 'She works extremely hard Monday to Friday as a nurse and yet spends her weekend mornings with us, looking after our dogs. We really appreciate their hard work and dedication. 'Every volunteer makes a huge difference to what we can achieve at the centre, and we welcome more local dog lovers to come and join us.' Volunteers must be aged 18 and over, and all are welcome. It's a fantastic way to develop new skills, gain further experience and meet new friends.
South China Morning Post
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Reading Day at HKBUAS Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School
Do you have something to share? Send us your recommendations using this form On April 30, our school celebrated Reading Day, which was filled with exciting activities. Students came dressed as their favourite characters from series like Harry Potter, Ne Zha and Star Wars. The purpose of Reading Day is to foster a love for reading among students. The opening ceremony included speeches from teachers who introduced this year's theme: How Our Love of Books Unites Us. A prize presentation ceremony recognised students who achieved outstanding results in the Reading Scheme. At the catwalk event, Grade One student Audrey enjoyed seeing the various groups of characters, such as Waldo from Where's Waldo?, Chinese mythological figures, and the emotions from the movie Inside Out. For the Read Around the Campus segment, classes were assigned to different locations with a book in hand. Avid readers appreciated the silent reading time outdoors. We were fortunate to have a special guest, author Yi Shu, who delivered an engaging talk. He prepared interactive activities and shared his creative writing skills. After a satisfying lunch break, the game booths opened. Students chose from various reading challenges and could exchange their earned stamps for rewards. 'We got to trade them for a card pack, and I even got a four-star Bowser!' exclaimed Isabel, a Grade Five student. Edan, a Grade Four student, mentioned, 'Even though I didn't have time to visit all the game booths, I had a lot of fun.' Associate Vice Principal Ms Pak concluded that Reading Day was a success.
Sunday World
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Trailer for new Pierce Brosnan film shot in Donegal is released
Entitled 'Four Letters Of Love', it is based on the international bestselling novel of the same name by Niall Williams The trailer for the new Pierce Brosnan film shot in Donegal has been released. Entitled 'Four Letters Of Love', it is based on the international bestselling novel of the same name by Niall Williams'. Two-time Academy Award nominee Brosnan stars alongside Gabriel Byrne and Helena Bonham Carter in the flick that is coming to cinemas on July 18. Shot on location in Donegal and Antrim, Four Letters Of Love is described as a 'life-affirming tale about faith and doubt, maybes and almosts, and the miracle of love' The synopsis outlines how 'Nicholas (O'Shea) and Isabel (Skelly) are made for each other, but as destiny pulls them together, so do family, passion, and faith drive them apart. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content 'Nicholas' father, William (Brosnan), comes home one day to shatter his family's quiet, modest life. He tells them that after a moment of divine revelation, he has decided to dedicate his life to painting. 'He quits his job and sets off for the West Coast, leaving his shell-shocked wife and son to fend for themselves.' Meanwhile, Isabel and her family live a charmed existence on a remote island off the West Coast, their house full of music and poetry. When tragedy strikes and her brother suffers a terrible accident, the music stops, and Isabel's mother, played by Bonham Carter, and father (Byrne) decide in their grief to send Isabel to a convent school on the mainland. The young lovers embark on their own individual journeys of heartache and misplaced love, before fate contrives to pull the threads of their lives together. When they meet, it is a miracle.' The original novel was translated into more than 30 languages after it was published in 1997 and before he adapted it for the screen.
