Below is some information on a selection of our Community Partners who
we work with on a regular basis.
General Outdoor Volunteering
Durham Wildlife Trust
Durham Wildlife Trust protects wildlife and promotes nature
conservation not only in County Durham, but also in the City of Sunderland and
the Boroughs of Gateshead, South Tyneside and Darlington. The Trust manages 31
nature reserves, delivers conservation projects to protect the region’s
wildlife, and provides education and volunteering opportunities for thousands
of children and adults every year. More information can be found on Durham
Wildlife Trust’s website.
Friends of Old Durham Gardens
Old Durham Gardens are situated less than a mile east of Durham City
Centre and provide a hidden, unique public space for all to enjoy. Acquired in
1985, the gardens were derelict and so a council-led renovation project began,
aimed at returning the gardens to their former beauty. The Friends of Old
Durham Gardens was established in 2010, providing the council with the direct,
voluntary public support necessary to maintain the gardens fully. The
organisation also hopes to provide educational opportunities to schools and
other local groups. More information can be found on Old Durham Gardens’ website.
Friends of Stockton Road Cemetery
Located just opposite the Palatine Centre, the 19th Century
cemetery is now a haven for wildlife and the plan is to enhance the habitats
and the general appearance of the site over time. Previous Team Challenges have
cleared overgrown paths, sorting out logs and replanting flowers to create more
habitats in line with their Conservation Management Plan.LionMouth Rural Centre
This site is quite popular with University departments. It’s an
excellent venue due to its proximity to Durham, range of tasks and size of
site. Opportunities are tailored to the group size and time of year. Tasks
include gardening and garden maintenance, potting, willow fencing and animal
husbandry. More information can be found on LionMouth’s website.
Tees Valley Wildlife Trust
Tees Valley Wildlife Trust protects wildlife and wild places, and
educates, influences and empowers people. They manage 14 nature reserves,
deliver conservation projects, and provide education and volunteering
opportunities. More information can be found on Tees Valley Wildlife Trust’s website.
Ushaw College
Ushaw College was founded in 1808 and until 2011 it was the principal
Roman Catholic seminary in the north of England for the training of Catholic
priests. Now the Trustees of Ushaw College are looking at restoring the
buildings and grounds. With part of the University’s Business School located
there, Ushaw College is an excellent location for volunteer groups. More
information can be found on Ushaw College’s website.Ark on the Edge
Ark on the Edge is a new Community Partner who rescue and rehome or
return to the wild an abundance of animals ranging from cats to goats, to
horses, to rabbits, to foxes, and many more. Tasks include site maintenance,
painting, cleaning and interacting with the kittens. More information can be
found on their website.
Groundwork NE & Cumbria
Located
at Tees Barrage, Groundwork NE & Cumbria was formed as a new approach to
regenerating and managing neglected and derelict land in the urban fringe. They
deliver over 350 projects per year and continue to help improve the quality of
people’s lives. River Tees Rediscovered is a landscape partnership which is
managed by Groundwork and is being delivered across all 5 boroughs of the Tees
Valley. More information can be found on Groundwork’s website. General Indoor Volunteering
Located all over Durham and Stockton, the distribution centres always
need help from volunteers to sort and arrange donations, pack orders, and put
together emergency food boxes. Great for small teams and is not weather
dependent. For more information, visit the Trussell Trust’s website.
If U Care Share
If U Care Share is a charity promoting emotional well-being in young
people and supporting families affected by suicide. The charity was first
established by the family of Daniel O’Hare who without warning took his own
life. The charity works with schools, football academies and other suicide prevention
groups in order to achieve their aim of reducing the risk of suicide amongst
young people. Team Challenges are usually helping assemble resource packs. More
information can be found on the If U Care Share website.
RT Projects
A local charity based in Gilesgate who use creativity and arts to
promote good mental health. Volunteers usually finish off odd jobs such as
painting, administrative work and handyman jobs. More information can be found
on RT Project’s website.Animal Welfare
Stray AidStray Aid is an animal welfare organisation whose primary aim is to rescue, reunite or rehome lost, abused, abandoned or unwanted dogs. They also increase public awareness to the trouble of unwanted animals, provide information on what to do if a cat or dog becomes lost, who to contact and how to get help. Stray Aid has created a network to ease the exchange of dogs around the country. More information can be found on Stray Aid’s website.
The Dogs Trust
The Dogs Trust was founded in 1891 and is the UK’s largest dog welfare
charity. Their mission is to eliminate the unnecessary destruction of dogs. The
charity never destroys a healthy dog; instead its 20 nationwide rehoming
centres find new homes for 16,000 dogs each year. The Trust has also developed
the Hope and Freedom projects, assisting dogs in the care of homeless people or
individuals fleeing domestic violence. More
information can be found on The Dogs Trust website.
Mixed
Changing Lives
Changing Lives is a charity that works with vulnerable, disadvantaged
and potentially homeless people. The charity’s ethos is to make a lasting,
positive change to the lives of disadvantaged people by providing access to
training, education, employment, and where necessary, emergency care and
intervention. More information can be found on the Changing Lives website.
Daisy Chain
Carers Trust Tyne & Wear
Carers Trust Tyne & Wear are a leading local provider of quality support
services for young carers, the people they support, and their families. They
work with over 900 families in the Gateshead area, helping Carers to make a
life of their own outside their caring responsibilities. Their facility in
Gateshead includes a residential home which is available for respite for carers
to have a break from their caring commitments. More information can be found on
the Carers Trust website.
Butterwick Hospice
Based in Stockton, Butterwick Hospice provides care and support to adults, young people and babies living with progressive life-limiting illnesses and their families. We are currently trying to further develop our links with the Hospice. More information can be found on their website.