Environment Projects
We regularly offer opportunities to get involved with environment-focussed volunteering activities in and around Durham. Student volunteers often work with partners including: Wharton Park, Botanic Gardens, Old Durham Gardens, the Auckland Project, Durham City Council, Durham Wildlife Trust, and more.
Keep an eye on our Facebook page and our weekly email for notifications of these opportunities.
If you have any ideas for new environmental volunteering opportunities or projects, please email environment.dusvo@durham.ac.uk
Our Projects
The Beyond Food project works with Trussell Trust’s Durham food bank to provide food parcels for disadvantaged families in the east of Durham. The food collection boxes are placed in colleges and the project leaders arrange for pickup and collection by the Trussell Trust’s Durham Foodbank.
When?
There are usually opportunities to food bank sorting every week. Other activities are also regularly available.
Flexible?
Yes. You can attend foodbank sessions (usually 1-4hours) when you can, or join in with other campaigns etc.
Where?
The foodbank we work with is in Chester-le-Street, but there may be opportunities to volunteer around Durham too.
Transport/Directions
Chester-le-Street is easily reached by train in about 10 minutes. Any transport costs can be reimbursed by DU Student Volunteering and Outreach.
DBS Required?
No.
To get involved email Chloe at beyondfood.dusvo@durham.ac.uk
This project is new for 2020/21
Gardening is a new DUSVO volunteering project. We will bring the volunteers to the community gardens in Durham and work with locals to make our city greener and prettier! Having a green and nice environment is very important to everyone, especially the ones who live in this city. By attending this project, you can help make Durham a better place to live and build strong bonds with other volunteers and the community. Gardening is also a very good way to de-stress.
The sessions will take place in local gardens such as Wharton Park, Old Durham Gardens and more, which are all in walking distance or accessible by bus. All equipment will be provided by the community gardens and no prior experience needed! The project will happen weekly/fortnightly.
To get involved email Megan at gardening.dusvo@durham.ac.uk
This project is new for 2020/21
Being hedgehog-friendly is more important than ever now that they are vulnerable to extinction here in Britain.
The Hedgehog Friendly Campus campaign aims to turn university campuses into hedgehog homes, highways and habitats. Universities typically have a large footprint in urban areas with abundant green spaces – a potential island idyll in the city for our prickly friends.
Help save our prickly friends you can learn more about our local hedgehog population, find out how to make hedgehog tracking boxes, keep our urban area green and plentiful for hedgehogs, save the hedgehogs, protect their environment, make Durham a better place to live for humans and prickles alike.
As part of the Durham University Hedgehog Friendly Campus campaign, we are aiming to achieve bronze accreditation through a number of events and activities to make the University more hedgehog-aware through litter picking, fundraising, awareness raising.
To get involved email Nikki at hedgehogfriendly.dusvo@durham.ac.uk