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Community21 has selected some case study communities and projects to share across the network to inspire and inform others. Should we be featuring yours? If so get in touch.
Students and Residents Working Together
This project was set up to establish strong community partnerships in a highly deprived area of Brighton where there is a University campus and many students live in private rented accommodation. This concentration of students living in these areas has become known as ‘studentification’. Some local residents have concerns and issues about the students living in their local neighbourhood and likewise students themselves have also reported negative experiences. A local resident conducted a survey of 200 homes, asking residents (permanent and student) about their experiences.
The aim was that responding to these experiences would address some local issues and promote good neighbourliness between the students, the University and the local community. The strength of the project emerged through the ethos of mutual cooperation, allowing students and residents to work together in enhancing their neighbourhood. From building beehives to oral history projects these relationships have begun to be established and are changing the relationships in the communities.
This project has begun the important work of changing perceptions, to develop the university and its students as more accessible resources to the community. Many local residents engaged in the project had never been involved with the University before or ever stepped foot in a University building. This project has resulted in:
A decrease in issues reported to the University’s Community Liaison Officer
Students are attending Local Action Team meetings to continue discussing solutions to local issues
Previously suspicious community members are contacting the University to see how they can work with Students on local volunteering initiatives
The students and the local community members engaged in this programme have gained a better understanding of each other’s lifestyles. There is an increased feeling of confidence with local communities and a reassurance that the University involvement is about working together to support and create change locally.
