April 2018
This is the second edition of The Branch for 2018. Brought to you by Rachael, the Student Community Advisor. To update you on all the events that have been taking place in the local community!
The Big Action Day Manchester Student Homes (MSH) joined the Big Action Day at St Chads Church in aid of Student Volunteering Week. This is a national event in which there is a week-long celebration of student volunteering to encourage future volunteers, give recognition to current volunteers and continually thank them for their support.
It was great fun to get outside and help the community with a group of likeminded people. I’d definitely recommend it, or any of the University’s other volunteering programs, for anyone who gets the chance to take part! Dan Catley Student at The University of Manchester
Hello from Rachael!
The Big Action Day integrated students and long term residents, and as a team they improved local spaces in Fallowfield and Withington. The volunteers worked on two areas; Ladybarn Park and the communal space at the back of St Chads Community Centre.
Alice and Rachael from MSH attended the day and they worked predominantly at Ladybarn Park helping alongside other volunteers. We’re immensely proud to be a part of this initiative and support The University of Manchester Volunteering Department. If you want to know more about volunteering visit: https://www.find-volunteering.manchester.ac.uk/
Hi! I’m Rachael - the new Student Community Advisor at Manchester Student Homes. I will be working on the Halls 2 Home campaign, supporting students during their transition from Halls of Residence to living in off campus areas, as well as getting involved in community projects happening in Fallowfield and Withington. I am particularly involved in addressing safety issues within the community, alongside Greater Manchester Police, in order to create a safer and more cohesive community! I am also working alongside Alice, the Community Cohesion Intern, to carry out Community Audits. These are designed to identify key issues in the community including lighting, to let boards and waste and recycling. I am really keen to hear from students and long term residents about any ideas to benefit the local community and make it a safer and cleaner place to live! Please contact alice.nield@manchester.ac.uk with any ideas!
Manchester Student Homes is a free, university-run housing service for students. Based in Fallowfield, MSH runs a landlord accreditation scheme and can offer support to students in relation to property searches, providing housing advice and contract checking. MSH also works with students, the community and partner agencies to identify issues in off campus areas.
Neighbourhood Partnership Group The Neighbourhood Partnership Group is a community meeting help between long term residents, students, landlords, businesses and Manchester City Council. encompasses a wide range of members in support of creating a safer and more cohesive neighbourhood in Fallowfield. The group meet 3 times a year and a number of issues were discussed during the evening including transient noise, on street drinking and the promotion of cheap alcohol. Manchester City Council, MSH and local residents have been collaboratively working on a new litter campaign which was shared during the meeting. These are street vinyl’s which can now been seen around Fallowfield encouraging people to dispose of their rubbish correctly!
Veg Box People The Veg Box People is a family enterprise that aims to deliver sustainable and ethical produce to Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas. It was set up in 2015, in partnership with The University of Manchester to help students and long term residents have access to affordable, local, and organic produce. Now they have over 11 collection points in Greater Manchester and provide an important service to the local community.
The Veg Box People support local farms – they are all within 50 miles of Manchester City Centre and pledge to secure a fair price for all farmers. We would encourage all students, and local residents to pick up a Veg Box – starting from £6 that include different produce each week – ranging from broad beans to yellow carrots. Orders can be made online at https://vegboxpeople.org.uk and collected at the following locations: in The Source Café on the Fallowfield Residences every Tuesday 4pm-7pm; and behind University Place by the Greenhouse Cafe every Tuesday 12pm-5.30pm and Wednesday 8am-12pm.
Finally, the meeting was an opportunity for everyone to get to know their neighbours and meet new people in the local community. So thank you to all those that attended!
Withington Action Day On the 12th May (11am to 2pm) Withington Action Day will be taking place outside Withington Library. The day will showcase all the community work being carried out in the area and we would encourage all to attend and get involved!
If you need advice or support about any aspect of living off campus do not hesitate to contact Manchester Student homes on 0161 275 7680 or email us at: neighbourhood.helpline@manchester.ac.uk