Green Gown Awards 2017 - Durham University - Winner

Van Mildert College Outreach

For almost 30 years, community outreach and volunteering has been a way of life at Van Mildert College. Six student-led projects support local families, young people, schools, the elderly and promote environmental conservation. The projects work across the North-East with a range of community partners including Aycliffe Secure Centre, County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service, and a range of local primary and secondary schools. During the 2016/17 academic year, Van Mildert students completed over 6,300 volunteer hours.

Giving back to the community, promoting environmental awareness, and supporting the widening participation agenda are central to the college ethos and reflected in its motto – Sic vos non vobis – not for yourselves. The projects also allow Mildertians to develop skills such as entrepreneurship, leadership, negotiation and communication. These skills undoubtedly complement and enhance our students’ academic pursuits, not only through participation but also the genuine student leadership and direction of the projects.

Top 3 learnings:

1 Creating a culture in which outreach is ‘a way of life’ for students is vital to ensuring longevity.

2 Work closely with a wide range of community partners – we couldn’t do it without them!

3 Students should take a genuine leadership role in the running and shaping of the projects!

Videos

• Van Mildert College Outreach (click to hide)