Courtesy Ben Baily/Supplied by Jesmond LIbrary

Northumbria Students’ Union (NSU) came to Jesmond last week to help strengthen the relationship between the local residents and students living in the area.

The presentation by the NSU took place in Jesmond Library with a number of local residents in attendance. The independent student-led charity highlighted the various non-profit activities that students provide for the residents of Newcastle.

NSU is divided into committees such as Volunteer Northumbria, Eco NSU and RAG (raise and give). Between them they organise hundreds of activities that are run for residents of the city, many of which benefit those residing in Jesmond.

Last year the RAG committee raised over £33,000 for their chosen charities and is hoping to exceed that figure this year. Intending to have a greater impact upon the community, they have chosen local charities Percy Headley, The Rainbow Trust and Caring Hands.

Some of the projects ran by the students include Story Time at Jesmond Library, where student-led weekly sessions help develop children’s reading and writing skills. Their award-winning IT classes have helped over 140 people drastically improve their technology skills, and they are hoping this class will soon be run at Jesmond Library. Additionally, Garden Makeovers have helped transform gardens in the Jesmond and Heaton areas whose owners struggle to maintain them themselves.

Such projects are welcomed by the local residents who wish to see how students can improve community spirit. Although it is improving, the relationship between students and residents can be somewhat tumultuous.

Tony Waterston, the Chairman of the Jesmond Residents’ Association (JRA), said that “we once had a rep for being anti-student, but we really aren’t. We wanted some concrete examples of what students are doing, particularly what students are doing in Jesmond that people can connect to. We want people to see the strengths of the student community and what they’re putting back in to the area.”

With regard to what the JRA would like to see in the future, Tony stated: “We’d like more collaboration between students and residents to help the unkempt nature of some of the streets. It isn’t the students’ faults, it’s the landlords who do not bother to maintain the upkeep; more collaboration could help make a change”.