Volunteering and Outreach

Many students feel they want to give something back to the local community they call home while living in Durham or Stockton.

Others want to take the opportunity to travel and help communities across the world. Volunteering, getting involved in fundraising or participating in an outreach project can be a fun way to do this. The varied range of outreach projects in which you can take part also provide great opportunities to gain work experience that can enhance your future career prospects

Work with the community

Every year around 600 student volunteers work in local community projects through college initiatives and Student Community Action (SCA). SCA run around 40 projects each year and offer additional support to many others. SCA is student-led and student-focused, matching volunteers to activities including sport, decorating and gardening, conservation projects, and even prison visiting. It is easy to volunteer; there are SCA Reps attached to each college and in return for giving your time, you get to learn new skills.

DUCK

Anyone interested in charity fundraising is welcome to join the award-winning Durham University Charity Kommittee (DUCK). As an integral part of Durham Students’ Union, DUCK consistently raise significant funds to support local, national and international charity projects.

DUCK sends students to do charitable work all around the world, from Jordan to Edinburgh to Tanzania. Local DUCK events, like the famous annual Grand Durham rubber duck race, bring the whole community together to help raise money for local charities. All of this is made possible through the hard work and dedication of students who do whatever it takes to raise money for 120 charitable causes.

Help a new generation

Our Student Association Scheme offers opportunities to work with children in local schools, helping to raise their aspirations and achieve more. Anyone interested in a career in teaching or working with young people can gain hands-on experience in a classroom. If you choose to participate in the scheme, you receive full training and even get paid a bursary once you have completed a 15-day placement.

There are also opportunities to become a Durham Student Ambassador, working on a host of activities including one-to-one mentoring with other students, summer schools and University recruitment events.

Help the environment

We are committed to maintaining and improving the quality of the environment. There are many student-run environmental initiatives that you can support by getting involved with projects ranging from local food production to wildlife preservation. Whatever your particular cause, we offer opportunities for you to get involved in outreach and charity work, learn more and make a real difference.

Overseas projects

Durham University has many links across the world and aims to strengthen these on all occasions through its staff and students. Many of our students get involved in charity projects overseas such as Project Sri Lanka and Project Thailand. 

Student volunteers are also involved in Sport Action Zambia which focuses on sports development and personal development through sports projects.