Northumbria Students’ Union has had a breakthrough year in developing relationships throughout the University and local communities.
The Union launched its first community strategy after it was approved by the Student Council. The strategy set out ambitious plans to ensure that the Union’s current and future work has a positive and long lasting impact upon its local communities. It was featured in the NUS publication Living Together, Working Together as an example of good practice.
The Students’ Union secured funding from local council wards to launch a new community rep scheme, recruiting four Reps that attend local ward meetings, engage with local community issues and champion the rights of students as members of the community.
The Union has worked in collaboration with the University of Northumbria on a flat finding day before the start of the academic year to assist students to find private accommodation for students who had not secured a place in halls of residence.
Northumbria had two places on the Student Housing Strategy Working Group. The group worked with landlords, councillors and residents groups to ensure the strategy was fair and useful for both students and long-term residents.
The Union worked with local residents on a joint campaign to implement a mandatory code on the removal of letting boards, targeting letting agents which had not signed the voluntary code to join the code.
By joining forces with Newcastle Union Society, they successfully got a motion passed by the local council on formation of an independently chaired students in the community forum.
The Union worked tirelessly with the University of Northumbria to manage and respond effectively to complaints and issues around disruptive behaviour and ran a year-long SSHH (Silent Students, Happy Homes) campaign to encourage students to respect local residents.
Northumbria Student Community Action (NSCA) continues to be the real ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Union in engaging with the local community. It has successfully operated on just £35,000 funding.
Major outcomes for NCSA since September 2009 include:
- More than 400 student volunteers participated in at least one (NSCA) project or event
- More than 65,000 community members have been involved in NSCA projects
- One NSCA student volunteer has won a place on the National Vinspired Student Advisory Board
- NSCA to become one of ten UK Universities involved in creating volunteering constitutions for HEIs
Two volunteers have won regional volunteering awards
- Four volunteers were presented with Volunteering England Awards
- One volunteer, Claire Sedgwick, won a national volunteering award
Overall, Northumbria Students’ Union has significantly enhanced its stock within the local community and is actively engaging the community.