Spotlight on… DUSVO

9 September 2024

Sustainability

"Environmental Volunteering is a component of Durham University Volunteering and Outreach (DUSVO), a Durham Student Organisation that sits within the wider Volunteering and Outreach department. Our Chair, Dorothea Barnes, sits on the DUSVO Executive Committee and oversees and supports three student-led projects that focus on conservation and the environment.

• DUSVO Gardening Project: the Project is community-based and helps look after green spaces, from historic gardens to council spaces, to local cemeteries and resident’s gardens. Contact: Maia Cumming, gardening.dusvo@durham.ac.uk

• DUSVO Beyond Food: Our volunteers work with local food banks to reduce food waste and tackle food insecurity in County Durham. Contact: Natasha Hart, beyondfood.dusvo@durham.ac.uk

• DUSVO Hedgehog Friendly: This project aims to conserve and care for local wildlife. Volunteers take part in litter picks, outreach sessions in local primary schools, performing wildlife surveys and so much more! In 2023-24, our student volunteers played a key role in achieving platinum accreditation for the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Universities awards. Contact: Yaning Wang, hedgehogfriendly.dusvo@durham.ac.uk

We also offer a range of environmental and conservation volunteering opportunities. You can volunteer with the Wear River Trust, the Environment Agency, Crook Hall Gardens and many more. You can find all of these projects, opportunities and more on our student volunteering platform."

Spotlight on… DVSO

For more information about environmental volunteering contact Dorothea, our DUSVO Environment Chair at environment.dusvo@durham.ac.uk

For information or queries regarding the student volunteering platform or general volunteering, contact Kat at student.volunteering@durham.ac.uk

Spotlight on… DVSO

Would you like to shine a spotlight on your green society? Email us! greenspace.students@durham.ac.uk