Pleasant gardens have a very positive impact on the surrounding area, and although students don’t usually live in their houses very long, many of you work hard to maintain your outdoor space.
In September 2011, a city-wide partnership which included residents, businesses, schools, community groups and a wide range of volunteers - was on the lookout for properties whose gardens were neat, tidy, and filled with flowers and plants.
Judges of the Nottingham in Bloom competition choose University of Nottingham student Sam Johnston as the winner of the student category for her commitment to maintaining a sustainable garden and growing vegetables. Judges were also impressed with how the outside space had been utilised, with lighting and a bbq co-existing with pet guinea pigs.
Students are part of the community and some of them are very keen gardeners. By backing these awards, we are encouraging more students to take pride in their garden and their community.
Melanie Futer, Manager of Off Campus Student Affairs
The local Lenton youth group Activ8 worked with students and Street Sense to collect unwanted but reusable items, such as clothes, pots, pans and unopened food which would normally just get thrown out. The items were then sorted and given to various charitable organisations.
Flower seed matchsticks
Working with Nottingham in Bloom, Nottingham City Council and the University gave out flower seed matchsticks to encourage students to liven up the area with flowers. The students were also encouraged to participate in a student garden competition.
Lenton Rec
Recently the university sponsored a year-long initiative, in support of Nottingham in Bloom, which saw students take part in a number of projects at the Lenton Rec. These included the creation of a new flowerbed, and the planting of 3,000 bluebells at a launch event.
Prince's Trust
A group of students mentored 16-25 year old's from the Prince's Trust, which helps people who have been long-term unemployed, offenders or ex-offenders, homeless and educational underachievers. Together they renovated the grave of D H Lawrence's family in Eastwood.
The Street Pastors Scheme
The street pastors are volunteers who are there to deflect and prevent problems before they happen, and assist those in need to get home. Working closely with the Police they have contributed in making the night time safer in Nottingham city centre.
The Dunkirk Gateway project
The University has worked with the local residents in the Dunkirk area to bring colour back into the streets. The whole community benefited by the hanging baskets and flower displays on one of the main roads into Nottingham. The group were highly praised in the Nottingham in Bloom neighbourhood category.
Radford Park
Students working with the local school and Muslim Women's centre planted 107 shrubs then added 1,500 litres of bark mulch to brighten up the Radford Park for all the community to enjoy.