Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Durham University Volunteering and Outreach Awards, presented at the annual celebration dinner, hosted by Trevelyan College. The evening showcased the positive impact the work of over 300 staff and student volunteers has on individuals, the Durham community and our partner organisations.
The celebrations were shared by nominees, volunteers, community partners and VIP guests from the University, including Vice Chancellor, Prof Karen O’Brien who opened the evening.
Prof Karen O’Brien presented several of the awards. She extended “Congratulations to all everyone shortlisted and to those students who have achieved their bronze, silver, gold, platinum and Hall of Fame volunteer status. She also congratulated 15 staff who have taken full advantage of the volunteering offer and achieved their staff volunteering award”.
Celebrating partnerships
A key partner and long-term friend of Durham University Volunteering, Leyla Rutter from local dog charity, StrayAid, thanked volunteers for their work. She said, ”Volunteers from the university make such a big difference to our organisation and have such a positive impact on the lives of our dogs and cats. It was an honour to be part of such a well organised event and to hear of the vast array of organisations and causes that the Durham University team have contributed to. To hear the passion, support and commitment that the University has to volunteering and to see so many people getting involved to help causes they are passionate about was heartwarming and inspiring”.
35 years of Volunteering
This year’s event was particularly notable, marking 35 years of volunteering at Durham University. A new exhibition charting the story of Volunteering at Durham over the past 35 years was premiered at the event, with a series of ten panel being displayed. The exhibition will be on display in various locations across campus throughout the coming year and can also be viewed as a virtual exhibition online.
Investing in Volunteers
2024 is also the year the department has successfully completed re-accreditation of the Investing in Volunteers kitemark, an award first received in 2012. Investing in Volunteers is the UK quality standard for good practice in volunteer management, regaining this accreditation recognises the high standard of programme at Durham.
We take pride in the diverse range of volunteering opportunities on offer for our entire University community. Student volunteers can get involved in over 25 student-led projects, sessions with linked charities and partner organizations, or one-off opportunities. While Staff are encouraged to take part in the DU Staff Volunteering scheme, which allows them to volunteer for up to 5 days each year during work time. They have the opportunity to join team challenges with colleagues, individual challenges, one-off sessions, or credit their own volunteering activity which all counts towards the DU volunteering scheme
DUVO welcome project proposals or suggestions of volunteering activity all year round, to ensure support for ongoing community needs and individual passions and interests.
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