Dogs Trust Open Challenge (25th May)

As you would expect, dog based volunteering days are very popular. We have a number of Open Challenges throughout the year and every time the newsletter is sent out with dates, the spaces are filled within minutes. No joke, we’ve timed it!

DUBS at Ushaw College (12th May 2016)

Another gloriously fine day saw another successful team challenge. Staff from the Business School, who are situated at Ushaw College, volunteered right on their doorstep. 

 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.

 The team completed a multitude of tasks including weeding, planting irises, strawberries and roses, as well as path raking and flattening.

 

Overall the group really enjoyed the day and are already looking forward to doing it again!

NHS at The Stroke Association (10th May 2016)

A group of volunteers from the NHS Call Centre Services left their desks and ventured out into the glorious sunshine for a day of gardening with The Stroke Association.

Hidden in the middle of the Team Valley industrial estate is Marquisway Centre which, amongst many facilities, has a life after stroke garden which is utilised by members.

Ditch Digging, Cemetery Clearing and Fruit Foraging... a day in the life of a Staff Volunteer

Access & SR help at RSPB

A gloriously warm, sunny day marking the end of September saw the Access and Student Recruitment team, suncream-clad, armed with interesting instruments called 'cromes', take to the drainage ditches at the RSPB reserve at Salthome and help clear them of unwanted weeds. It was a fantastic day with great results, showing how much a small team can get done with a bit of teamwork and manual labour. We managed to clear at least 30 metres of ditch from weeds and bulrushes, an impressive feat, which safe to say left the team fulfilled, but in need of a lie down!