Volunteer Durham

Volunteer Durham Volunteer Durham is a programme aimed at attracting new volunteers into volunteering and sustaining existing volunteers in County Durham.

We’re delighted to share some fantastic news from one of our swim volunteers at Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre.Around ...
12/06/2026

We’re delighted to share some fantastic news from one of our swim volunteers at Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre.

Around six months ago, Bilge began volunteering alongside the swim teachers, supporting children during their lessons. From her very first day, she loved the atmosphere, and seeing children grow in confidence in the water quickly became the highlight of her week.

Through her commitment, enthusiasm and the hands-on experience she gained while volunteering, Volunteer Durham funded and supported Bilge to complete her Level 2 Teaching Swimming qualification and we are delighted to share that she has now successfully passed.

Bilge told us:
“Volunteering didn’t just allow me to give back to the community; it opened doors to a brand-new career that I am truly passionate about.”

Bilge is continuing to volunteer at the leisure centre and is looking forward to applying for swim teaching roles once her certificate arrives.

A huge well done, Bilge, and thank you for sharing such an inspiring story. This is a wonderful example of how volunteering can build confidence, develop skills, support communities and create new opportunities.

🎉 Volunteer Week Prize Draw Winners 🎉Thank you to everyone who shared their volunteering stories, experiences and photos...
10/06/2026

🎉 Volunteer Week Prize Draw Winners 🎉

Thank you to everyone who shared their volunteering stories, experiences and photos with us as part of National Volunteer Week.

We have really enjoyed reading your stories and hearing about the many ways volunteering makes a difference across County Durham.
We are pleased to announce that the winners of our Volunteer Week prize draw are:

👏 Carol Kelly
👏 Duncan Porter

Both winners will receive a £50 Amazon voucher and will be contacted directly by email with details of their voucher.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, and to all of our amazing volunteers for the time, kindness and commitment you give throughout the year.

As Volunteers’ Week comes to a close, we want to say one final huge thank you to all of our volunteers.Across Culture, S...
07/06/2026

As Volunteers’ Week comes to a close, we want to say one final huge thank you to all of our volunteers.

Across Culture, Sport and Tourism, volunteers give their time in so many different ways, supporting events, exhibitions, libraries, leisure, wellbeing activities, sport and community projects.

This week has been a chance to celebrate just a small number of the stories, memories and contributions that make volunteering so special.

To every volunteer: thank you for your time, kindness, commitment and enthusiasm. You are truly appreciated.

Our Volunteer Week prize draw winners will be selected on Wednesday 10 June and announced shortly afterwards.

Today for Volunteers’ Week, we’re sharing Duncan and Clare’s story about volunteering with the Library Books on Wheels S...
06/06/2026

Today for Volunteers’ Week, we’re sharing Duncan and Clare’s story about volunteering with the Library Books on Wheels Service.

Duncan and Clare have been volunteering for the past 16 months and said they have enjoyed it so much that they now support three routes from different libraries every month.

They shared that Books on Wheels is “an essential and important service”, helping people who find it difficult to visit their local library access books, audiobooks and other resources from home.

For Duncan and Clare, the role has become about much more than delivering books. They said they have come to know the people they visit very well, sharing family news, life stories and monthly catch-ups along the way.

They added that it is “a pleasure and a privilege” to listen to some of their customers talk about their memories and life history, and they hope they also provide a little companionship and friendship.

Thank you, Duncan and Clare, for the kindness, care and commitment you bring to this wonderful service.

Today’s Volunteers’ Week story comes from Jen, one of our long-standing volunteers, who has supported us for a number of...
05/06/2026

Today’s Volunteers’ Week story comes from Jen, one of our long-standing volunteers, who has supported us for a number of years across many different events.

Most recently, Jen supported the Memory of a Journey exhibition at Durham Town Hall. She shared how lovely it was to see people’s excitement when they came to view the thousands of peg dolls on display, each one inspired by favourite journeys from adults and children across County Durham and the Tees Valley.

The exhibition brought people together through creativity, memories and shared stories and volunteers helped make visitors feel welcome throughout the day.

Thank you, Jen, for your continued support over the years, and thank you to everyone who has supported this special exhibition.

For Volunteers’ Week, The Walk Leaders and Wellbeing volunteers joined us and the Wellbeing team yesterday in Seaham for...
04/06/2026

For Volunteers’ Week, The Walk Leaders and Wellbeing volunteers joined us and the Wellbeing team yesterday in Seaham for a walk, fresh air and fish & chips by the seaside a lovely way to celebrate together and a reminder of the role volunteering can play in supporting wellbeing, confidence and connection.

The weather held off just in time, and everyone was able to sit down and enjoy some well-earned fish and chips together after a lovely walk along the seafront.

The Walk Leaders and Wellbeing volunteers help create welcoming opportunities for people to get active, meet others and enjoy the outdoors at their own pace.

Thank you to everyone who gives their time to support others through movement, encouragement and kindness.

Move County Durham

Today we’re celebrating Ann as part of Volunteers’ Week.Ann is one of our amazing long-standing volunteers and has suppo...
04/06/2026

Today we’re celebrating Ann as part of Volunteers’ Week.

Ann is one of our amazing long-standing volunteers and has supported so many events and activities over the years, always bringing warmth, energy and enthusiasm to everything she does.

After being encouraged to volunteer at Lumiere, Ann says volunteering “truly changed my life”. Since then, she has gone on to support a wide range of opportunities, including Lumiere, food festivals, art and craft events at Wharton Park and Hardwick Park, events at The Story, activities at Durham Town Hall and leading walks.

Ann shared how much she enjoys interacting with the public, performers and visitors, helping people feel welcome and making events even more memorable. From chatting to visitors at The Story, to helping with the Memory of a Journey peg doll display, and even encouraging visitors to find Where’s Wally, Ann’s kindness and positivity shine through.

Volunteering has brought Ann friendship, purpose and many special memories, and she continues to make such a positive difference across County Durham.

Thank you, Ann, for everything you do. We are so grateful for your time, dedication and wonderful support.

Today we’re celebrating Carol as part of Volunteers’ Week.Carol has been volunteering for 35 years, mostly at events, an...
03/06/2026

Today we’re celebrating Carol as part of Volunteers’ Week.

Carol has been volunteering for 35 years, mostly at events, and as well as Volunteer Durham she has supported opportunities across County Durham, Gateshead, Sunderland, Northumberland and Newcastle. During Covid, she also volunteered as an NHS Check and Chat Volunteer for two years, helping to make sure people living alone were managing okay.

Most recently, Carol volunteered at Locomotion, which she described as “a brilliant day” that was “so meticulously organised”.

Through volunteering, Carol was also nominated to attend the Buckingham Palace Garden Party, a day she said she will never forget.

Carol shared that volunteering builds confidence, helps people work together, supports mental health, and is a great way to meet people and give back to the community.

Thank you, Carol, for everything you have given to volunteering over the years.

02/06/2026

A lovely Volunteers’ Week message from staff at The Story. We would like to add our thanks to all volunteers who give their time, knowledge and enthusiasm. Your contribution makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated.

Today for Volunteers’ Week, we’re sharing Yvonne’s volunteering story.Yvonne’s first volunteering role was helping to bu...
02/06/2026

Today for Volunteers’ Week, we’re sharing Yvonne’s volunteering story.

Yvonne’s first volunteering role was helping to build one of the Artichoke installations for Lumiere 2025, working alongside an artist designer and a team of volunteers to help create a lit installation in the cloisters of Durham Cathedral.

As she was registered with us, Yvonne got to hear about volunteering at her local theatre, Consett Empire and she has been volunteering and supporting at the Theatre ever since.

Yvonne said she is proud to wear her volunteer uniform, enjoys being part of a small and friendly team, and always comes home with a big smile after her shift.

Thank you, Yvonne, for supporting Volunteer Durham and for sharing such a brilliant example of what volunteering can mean.

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DCC Culture & Sport, Neighbourhoods, 7 Hills, Greenhills Business Park, Enterprise Way
County Durham
DL166JB

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03000 266555

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