Case study (2004) The Up Your Street Project

Context

The Up Your Street Project is a joint initiative between the University of Leeds and Community Action at Leeds Metropolitan (CALM). The aim of the scheme is to improve the environmental image of the areas of high student population that is a cause of concern to some local, long-term residents.

The need for the project has been established in conjunction and consultation with local communities. The University of Leeds Community Liaison Officer regularly attends local meetings of residents' groups and community involvement teams and the project is a joint response to addressing this need.

Programme Detail

The project activities are a response that stems from common concerns consistent in all communities with large student populations including:

  • The cyclical nature of student occupancy and the inadequate refuse collection service at key points in the academic year (student changeover)
  • Concerns of long-term residents that the large number of properties let to students are not well maintained
  • High concentration of litter
  • The commercial fly-posting and leaflet dropping with student-targeted promotions
  • Graffiti and litter creating an impression of the areas being run down and in decline

The Up Your Street Project is the umbrella name for a year-long programme of diverse activity aimed at improving the aesthetic appearance of the local community. While the environmental improvements make up the core activity, the intention is also to improve the lines of communication and interaction between students and the local community.

Last year's programme included a number of projects, including a Graffiti Jam which involved working with local children in decorating a legal graffiti wall. Other projects involved students removing illegal graffiti from key public spaces and buildings in the local community. Murals were also painted on shop fronts to improve the shopping experience. A bargain hunt and community fun day at the start of the summer enabled students to host a table top junk sale run in the local park. Other events included a Millennium Green arts festival and a winter festival for residents and volunteers.

The project success has led to a continuation and expansion of the project this year which will lead to the creation of community noticeboards, a glass and plastic bag recycling scheme, a website for the project and buying a milk float for recycling initiatives! This will also link into the National 'Don't be a Tosser' litter campaign to cut down on waste from flyers.

The project engaged over 40 volunteers last year, most of which took part in several of the activities. The Up Your Street brand is now established and has resulted in an increase of volunteers this year to 60.

The project has achieved the following:

  • Strategies to reduce refuse left by students
  • Reduction in litter and refuse through community clean up days
  • Improved community discourse and relations
  • New volunteering opportunities for students and local residents
  • sustained and mutually beneficial relationships with the City Council, local residents' groups, police and youth groups consultation with the community on strategies to address problems created by commercial advertising and graffiti in the area stronger working relationships between the two Leeds universities.

The creativity and diversity of the projects has enabled students to work in partnership with a broad range of community partners and with all age groups. This ensures that the community as a whole benefits from the programme rather than a targeted group. All the events are low cost and are based on volunteer hours which means significant improvements are made in a cost-effective way.

Hints and Tips

  • Working in partnership is essential. Contact other education providers in the area to maximise interest.
  • Involve the local community throughout the programme to generate a sense of ownership in the projects.
  • Keep a database of student volunteers and encourage them to participate throughout the year.
  • Establish a brand and identity for the project so that it becomes a recognised university activity and one which local people associate with the institutions involved.