The Branch June 2017

Summer 2017

This is the third edition of The Branch for 2017. Manchester Student Homes’ Good Neighbours Team has had a busy and eventful Spring with lots of projects and news to tell you about!

Withington Community Day In March, members of the Withington community showed support for the Withington Village Action Day alongside Manchester Student Homes. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet community members who invest so much time and effort into various projects in the area, and we were delighted to be part of the celebrations.

The event took place outside Withington Library and the primary aim was to raise awareness of recycling and reporting issues via a village clean up. We were there to inform long term residents and students of current events and future campaigns.

The team were excited to let attendees know about the Hidden Gems Tour, which is a project that gives students an awareness of the historic, cultural and educational locations that are dotted around the Fallowfield and Withington area.

British Heart Foundation MSH has been working with The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University to deliver the ‘Give It Don’t Bin It’ campaign in support of the British Heart Foundation and Manchester Central Foodbank. The campaign promotes recycling and reusing unwanted items of clothing and food from students living in Manchester. In 2016, the donations made by students to the British Heart Foundation, were equal to £230,723, while food donations provided 2,000 meals for the Foodbank.

This year, students, staff and MSH landlord volunteers managed to put together a staggering 19,500 packs of information and donations bags. This is vital to development of the project because these packs makes it easier for students to donate. The more packs made, the more donations the British Heart Foundation and Manchester Central Foodbank will be able to collect.

We are currently planning the next tour so keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter for more information!

Overall, the day was a huge success and we managed to engage with a broad range of community members!

For more information about the Withington Civic Society or Manchester Student Homes visit our website or contact poppy.humphrey@manchester.ac.uk.

This is a fantastic initiative which sees students, staff, MSH landlords and local long term residents come together to support the effective delivery of this important campaign. Thanks to all involved.

Poppy Humphrey MSH Off Campus Student Affairs Officer

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.

MSH Community Fetes We have worked in partnership with the Residential Life teams at The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University to organise ‘Community Fetes’ across both universities.

The events brought partnership agencies, students, community groups, local long term residents and university departments from all across Manchester to educate students about the fantastic opportunities, projects and schemes that are currently being offered in local areas. It also highlighted the continuing support for students when living off campus.

At The University of Manchester, the event provided the perfect opportunity for a variety of schemes to be showcased. Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Manchester City Council (MCC) and The University of Manchester’s Crime Reduction Team advised students on personal safety and household security. The University of Manchester’s Sporticipate, Volunteering and Environmental Sustainability teams were also there encouraging students to participate and give back to their local community by getting them involved in the many exciting projects currently taking place.

Meanwhile students at Manchester Metropolitan University were able to talk with MetMunch, a student network organisation promoting healthy living. The Manchester Metropolitan University's Environmental Team also offered their expert help on topics surrounding sustainability, and environmental engagement.

The event showed students how much passion and hard work is invested the local area, reinforcing the importance of social responsibility.

It has been great to make contact with so many students in such a short space of time, enabling MSH and our partnership agencies to offer advice and support to students living both on and off campus. Over 700 students attended both events and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

We have already started planning for next year!

We would like to thank all involved with the work we have done - community groups, (Upping It, Community Guardians, BMBB and Friends of Platt Fields) partnership agencies (GMP, MCC, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Biffa, British Heart Foundation) and university departments (Environmental Teams, Student Welfare, Students’ Union, Sport, Volunteering, MetMunch, Security and Residential Life Services.)

Good Luck Vinny We would also like to thank Vinny, our UoM Community Cohesion Intern, who will be leaving us this month. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours!