Volunteer | Diocese of Durham

If you are aged 18 to 30, and are looking for a year-long opportunity to explore what God is calling you to, then join the Ministry Experience Volunteer Scheme in the ancient heartland of English Christianity – a gap year with a difference!

Durham City is the ancient burial place of St Cuthbert, a man famed for his communication of a transforming gospel of hope. Today the Diocese of Durham is walking confidently in his footsteps, learning to be a place where the church is an outward looking missional body of people in love with God and neighbour.

You can also click here to learn about the MEV scheme with Oxclose Church.

Diocese of Durham

In response to God’s call on our lives, our priorities are:

Growing the church
Children and Young people
Challenging poverty

Focussing on these priorities is about engaging people where they are. Meeting people in schools, clubs and more means that we are engaged in a wide variety of mission, community engagement, and worship.

Our Ministry Experience Volunteers are amazing people who make this possible. We work with each person to ensure they have a life enhancing volunteer experience. You could be next!

There are many opportunities to be involved in - working in priority areas alongside local people.

Youth Clubs
Children’s groups
Preaching
Messy Church
Café Church
Schools work
Community events
Toddler activities
Foodbanks
FE College engagement
Alzheimer Cafés
Alpha
Challenging food waste
Working with refugees
Community Gardens
Street Pastors
Church planting
Prayer walk ministry
Godly Play
Open the Book
And more...

We long to help all our volunteers discern their own call from God. We want you to think about:

Where will you flourish best?
What tools do you need to enable your flourishing?
How do you hear God?
How do you work that call out in practice?

We want to give you the tools to help you.

Your living costs covered, so you don’t need to worry about what you will eat, or where you will sleep.
A 60-credit accredited course validated by common awards focusing on: Spirituality and Discipleship, Ministry & Mission in Context, and an Introduction to the Bible. Visit the Lindisfarne College of Theology website for more information.
Opportunities for reflection around vocation, calling and ministry.
An opportunity to grow in contextual faith and missional understanding.
A year of service, growth and discovery with a mentor to support and advise.
An opportunity to work and live in a missional context.
An opportunity to work alongside key leaders in the church.
An opportunity to grow in understanding strategy and mission.

Where might you be placed?

There are a variety of Churches across the diocese of Durham keen to work with our MEVs. You will be matched according to the volunteer experience you are looking for. Locations include: