Empowering Communities and Celebrating Diversity: A Volunteering Journey in Ouseburn Valley

Chevening Scholars Unite for Sustainability and Neurodiversity in Ouseburn Vall

Cheerful greetings!

My name is Sofonie Dala, a proud Chevening scholar in the UK.

On March 19, 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer alongside fellow Chevening scholars at the Ouseburn Trust Charity in Newcastle. It was a day that not only allowed us to make a positive impact on the environment but also helped celebrate the importance of neurodiversity during Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

As we arrived in the Ouseburn Valley, we were greeted by the vibrant street art and colorful murals that adorn the walls, showcasing the artistic spirit of this wonderful city. The atmosphere was warm, filled with a sense of community and shared purpose.

The tasks for the day, led by the volunteering instructor, were clear: gardening, litter-picking, and maintaining the footpaths. Despite the hard work, the energy was high as we joined together to care for the area.

Discovering Chondrostereum purpureum

One of the most fascinating moments of the day came when the instructor led us to a cut tree. It was infected with Chondrostereum purpureum, a fungal plant pathogen that causes silver leaf disease. 

This disease primarily affects the rose family and can cause a striking silvery discoloration of the leaves. Learning about how the Ouseburn Trust monitors and prevents the spread of this pathogen to other plants was an eye-opener, showing the depth of care and knowledge required to maintain the health of the local environment.

March, being both Sustainability Month and Neurodiversity Week, added a special layer of significance to the day’s activities. Neurodiversity Celebration Week, running from March 17th to 23rd, encourages us to recognize and celebrate the talents and strengths of neurodivergent individuals. It’s a reminder to appreciate those who think differently and often produce exceptional, out-of-the-box solutions.

I couldn’t resist the opportunity to introduce the Climate Fresk cards to my fellow Chevening scholars. These scholars, from diverse countries and backgrounds, were studying various subjects at universities across the UK. The setting was perfect—playing the climate change game in the vibrant, green environment of Ouseburn.

After volunteering in the Newcastle upon Tyne area and taking a leisurely walk through Ouseburn Farm, where we enjoyed watching playful animals, we made our way to the Church Burial Ground in Ballast Hill Park. 

There, we met a team who shared fascinating stories about the church and the burial of its members. We also helped them with clearing the park, contributing to the maintenance of the local heritage.

As the day came to an end, and we were wrapping up our volunteering work, my fellow scholars and I reflected on how lucky we were to contribute to the Ouseburn community. 

While working, we also took the time to admire the natural beauty of Newcastle—the mix of lush greenery, artistic spaces, and local culture that made it such an inspiring place to be. 

The feeling of making a tangible difference in such a beautiful city was fulfilling, but it was also a chance to recognize how volunteering brings people together, celebrates diversity, and helps build stronger, more connected communities.

Our journey back to York was peaceful, but the impact of the day stayed with us. It was more than just about volunteering—it was about the joy of coming together for a cause, appreciating the environment, and recognizing the diverse ways in which we all contribute to the world around us.

As we reflect on the day’s activities, it’s clear that our volunteering aligns with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscoring the broader impact of our efforts.

1. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities: By volunteering in the Ouseburn Valley, we contributed to enhancing the physical, social, and economic environment of the area, helping create a more sustainable and inclusive community.

2. SDG 13 - Climate Action: Through tasks like gardening, litter-picking, and maintaining footpaths, we actively supported the preservation of local green spaces and contributed to combating climate change at the community level.

3. SDG 15 - Life on Land: The work we did in managing the health of trees and plants, including addressing the spread of the Chondrostereum purpureum fungus, directly supports biodiversity and the sustainable management of natural resources.

4. SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities: Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a key opportunity to raise awareness and celebrate the talents of neurodivergent individuals, helping to reduce inequalities and promote inclusivity in all spheres of society.

Our volunteering experience, marked by collaboration, environmental care, and celebration of diversity, exemplifies how small actions can have a lasting impact on advancing these important global goals.

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