The local litter campaign, Keep Jesmond Clean, is searching for more volunteers to help keep the streets clean, specifically Newcastle and Northumbria students who live in the area.

A previous report from JesmondLocal in 2020 said 80 students turned up to combat the mess alongside other volunteers for Keep Jesmond Clean. However, committee member and North Jesmond Labour councillor Tanya Pretswell told JesmondLocal: “we don’t tend to get much buy in them anymore, but they’re always welcome.”

Pretswell said that campaigns have been launched to try and bolster numbers on the volunteer litter picks, which keep Jesmond’s streets clean for residents.

“[Newcastle University’s Raising and Giving (RAG) Society] have recently started advertising our events and we hope attendance of students will increase through this,” Pretswell said. “We really need more student input to help us with the message delivery that caring for the environment starts on our doorsteps and spreads wider to wildlife and climate.”

Keep Jesmond Clean has been running for six years in response to an increase of litter and broken glass in the streets of Jesmond, with the aim to raise awareness to the community. A cup of tea and biscuits is also provided to those who take part in litter picks so everyone feels welcome.

Pretswell said the group’s aims are “to have tidy streets, raise awareness that it’s not okay to drop litter and raise awareness of recycling. The community needs to care about where they live and support cleaning the area.”

Residents often recognise those who volunteer to litter pick each month, and say thank you to those taking part, encouraging them to continue to volunteer.

“Although there is still a lot of litter and broken glass amongst the streets of Jesmond, Keep Jesmond Clean has had a huge impact on our community and we can’t thank the volunteers enough for spending their spare time to help out”, said Lisa Dudley, a Jesmond resident.

A Newcastle University spokesperson told JesmondLocal: “The Keep Jesmond Clean initiative showcases the strong partnership working across our city and the positive role those students play in the community.”

The next Keep Jesmond Clean litter pick is on Saturday 12th November at 12:00pm, meeting at the Cricket Club on Osborne Avenue. Everyone is welcome to volunteer, but students living in Jesmond are advised to get involved to help their community keep the streets clean.

Residents have been encouraged to report those who are dropping litter in the Jesmond back lanes. To do this, you must report through Newcastle’s Council website, or Google your local services on littering, broken glass and fly-tipping.