The UK Town and Gown (UKTGA) 2018 Community Award to recognise and celebrate the achievements of those working within an off campus setting was awarded to Newcastle University ASB Working Group.
The ASB (Anti-Social Behaviour) working group was set up in response to an increase in ASB in Jesmond, a highly populated student area of the city. The group includes representatives from Newcastle University, NUSU, Newcastle City Council and Northumbria Police, working together to promote the value of students in the city and to tackle ASB issues.
Projects and campaigns include Operation Oak, BNOC, Leave Newcastle Happy, Love Living In and Students in the Community welcome information. Go Volunteer and RAG (Raising and Giving) Society are also involved as continued supporters of litter picks and community events.
Community cohesion benefits all residents living in any city and we hope that our approach to solving issues has been met with support from permanent residents and students alike. Newcastle is an amazing city to live, study and work in and we know that Newcastle Students contribute so much to the success of the city.
Sophie McDermott, Activities Officer, attended the UK Town and Gown conference and picked up the first Community Award celebrating the success of our community work.
The UK Town and Gown Association strengthens town and gown partnerships by providing a network of off-campus practitioners and resources, identifying and sharing leading practices, innovative solutions and creative opportunities within off-campus communities. The Role of the UKTGA is to:
- Create key off campus campaigns to enhance the student experience
- Focus on off campus living – but with an appreciation of the Student Lifecycle
- Develop academic research
- Collate a regional library of best practice
- Collate a regional key contacts/stakeholders list
- Serve on committees or task forces and take on special assignments relating to off campus themes
Congratulations to the people involved. A great way to celebrate the hard work, amazing projects and campaigns!