Events, Opportunities & Networks

Spring into Sustainability

The University’s annual ‘Spring into Sustainability’ campaign showcases how sustainability is a part of a wide range of interests, everyday activity and professional fields. It is a chance for various groups across the University to collaborate and exchange their expertise and resources. 

In 2026 the University’s ‘Spring into Sustainability’ included: 

• Pancake Day – celebrating Shrove Tuesday with Chaplaincy, sharing over 100 pancakes whilst providing tips on budgeting and reducing food waste.
• Carbon Literacy – training over 140 staff and students to identify ways they can foster a low-carbon culture.
• Nature Wellbeing Walk with Sports & Active Lifestyle, appreciating the exceptional opportunities Parkgate marshlands offers for birdwatching.
• Wildlife Tea Party - discussing the ways faith and sustainability can come together over sweet treats and a nice cup of tea.
• Bird Box Building with Volunteering and the Grounds & Gardens teams, assembling safe nesting spots for birds on site and offering a chance for participants to boost their wildlife knowledge and enhance their crafting skills.
• Bike Maintenance session with local charity Bren Bikes, offering free bike repairs and advice on cycling in and around Chester for our staff and students.
• Creative Entrepreneurship Business Launch - leading a workshop for Business students on how sustainability strengthens business models, with a member of the Sustainability team acting as a panellist for mid-module pitches and its final launch event. 

The campaign aims to inspire participants to recognise their own role in creating positive environmental and social change. 

Our next annual ‘Spring into Sustainability’ week will be Monday 5th - Friday 9th April 2027.

Moving Out & Pass it On campaigns

As part of the University's Moving Out campaign, students are encouraged to donate unwanted, good quality items at the end of the academic year.  For years the University has worked with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to help reduce waste left in student accommodation and its surrounding areas. In 2025 the University:

• Redirected 9,000 kg of items from waste streams to the BHF. 
• Donated an estimated £16,995 of pre-loved items to the BHF. 

In collaboration with Chaplaincy and the Business School, the ‘Moving Out’ campaign has expanded to include the ‘Pass It On’ project from 2026. This project sees the collection of unwanted, good-conditioned items from outgoing students (and staff) to redistribute to incoming students during welcome periods throughout the academic year, including the main September induction. Collection points can be found at our Exton Park, Queen’s Park, Wheeler, Marriss House and Warrington sites.

For the summer of 2026 the ‘Pass it On’ project has provided eight paid Unijob roles, giving students a voice and responsibility over the initiative. This opportunity gives our students the chance to develop their employability skills whilst also contributing to waste reduction targets and community engagement opportunities.

City Nature Challenge 

Every April our staff and students are encouraged to discover local species and record plants, insects, birds, fungi and more to help monitor wildlife trends and behaviours.  

Working in partnership with Chester Zoo and RECORD, the University of Chester offers “Give it a Go” sessions for students to contribute to the annual global biodiversity project ‘City Nature Challenge’.

Community Hub Garden

Students and staff can also let their gardening skills bloom over time at the University's Community Hub garden. From its humble beginnings in 2022, the Community Hub garden has welcomed partnerships with faculties through placements, student societies, University teams and charities - most notably Faiths4Change - to create a welcoming, natural space.  

The space continues to flourish, with volunteer and staff efforts being celebrated and recognised through different award schemes: 

• Awarded: Level 5 – Outstanding' by the RHS Britain in Bloom (North West) (2026).
• Finalist: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Sustainability – Green Gown Awards (2025).

Volunteer opportunities

Alongside our student-led volunteer projects, students can connect with the University’s linked volunteer providers to access sustainability adjacent opportunities – whether that be through one-off “Give it a Go” sessions or longer-term commitments.  

In 2025/26, students had the chance to participate in: 

• Bird box creation with Grounds & Gardens.
• Multiple wildlife recording sessions with Chester Zoo, RECORD, Grounds & Gardens, and the Sustainability team.
• Dog toy creation out of old t-shirts.
• Gardening sessions with Chaplaincy.
• Litter picking in the local area.
• Plant sowing and pottery painting.

Students can find volunteer opportunities on the University’s Volunteer Hub (internal only). Through this system students can network with providers including (but not limited to); Chester Zoo, Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape, EcoCommunities, Oxfam, and the RSPB.