Share this story   

Student Boost for Community Relations Work

to read

Our Student Community Warden team is expanding for 2022/23.

Since its inception in 2020, the Student Community Warden project has been an invaluable asset in the University’s approach to community relations. In 2022/23, we will see the team double in strength from two to four, in recognition of the importance of peer-to-peer support to engage students living off-campus.

As student employees working with the Community Liaison Manager in the Office of the PVC for Colleges and Student Experience, our Wardens support students during their time living out in Durham. With many students living independently for the first time, our Wardens are an excellent source of knowledge and can signpost fellow students to information about bins, recycling, where to get help if a landlord is failing in their duties, and any other local information that may be useful.

Our Wardens in 2021/22 were Kate Jones (right), who is continuing in the role this year, and Zainab Ansari.
Our Wardens in 2021/22 were Kate Jones (right), who is continuing in the role this year, and Zainab Ansari.

Living sustainably is a key theme, exemplified by our annual Green Move Out – something our Wardens actively help to promote and implement in conjunction with Greenspace colleagues, Student Volunteering & Outreach, and our partners at Durham County Council.

Our Wardens also encourage other aspects of positive citizenship, ensuring that students living-out know the consequences of issues like anti-social noise –  which can affect the quality of life of student and non-student residents alike.

Getting involved in the local community introduces students to the wonderful and vibrant neighbourhoods in which they live, as well as enriching their university experience. One way our Wardens help to bring people together is through promoting the University’s volunteering outreach programme, which already has a huge positive impact in the City and beyond.

Zainab Ansari (left) and Kate Jones
Zainab Ansari (left) and Kate Jones

Part of the Wardens’ programme of work for the coming academic year is to start their own network of volunteer Street Champions who will provide a link between student and non-student residents, increasing the face-to-face interaction. This will help support a positive community spirit as well as providing a student perspective in fora such as residents’ group meetings.

Hannah Shepherd, Community Liaison Manager, commented: 

The University works with partners across the City to ensure that Durham is a safe, clean and green place for those who live, work, study and visit here.

“Our Student Community Wardens are a key part of these efforts and the students who have developed and built the service have been so enjoyable to work with.

“We have weathered some really challenging times alongside the local community during the pandemic and I can’t wait to see what our new recruits can achieve now our resource in this area is doubling.”

You can follow the Student Community Wardens on Instagram @durham_scws or Facebook @DUSCWS, or email them at community.liaison@durham.ac.uk

Find out more about the Street Champion volunteering opportunity here.

 

 

   Share this story   

Start the discussion

 

Contribute

Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you! Get in touch via dialogue@durham.ac.uk.