The Best Neighbour On Campus award, established last year by Newcastle University and its Students’ Union, celebrates the great work students do within their communities, either through volunteering, supporting local residents or being considerate, responsible neighbours.

A successful first year saw 17 students recognised, receiving up to £1,000 to help towards their rent and living costs in recognition of being good neighbours.

In further recognition of the good work done by students for the whole of Newcastle, this year sees Northumbria University and their Students’ Union join as partners in the campaign.

Positive contribution

Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University, said: “Improving student-resident relationships can only be a good thing for our students and the permanent residents they live alongside. The different lifestyles of students means that this will always be a challenge, but we are committed to doing as much as we can and working with residents in order to create harmonious relationships.

“We are delighted to be working with Northumbria University on the BNOC campaign. This shows our joint commitment to rewarding the hugely positive contribution students from both universities make to our city.”

Professor Andrew Wathey CBE, Vice-Chancellor of Northumbria University, added: “Students are a real asset to our local communities and help make Newcastle the diverse, culturally rich city that it is today.”

“We already know that our students contribute to business and the community, whether through internships or placements, in cultural organisations, at local NHS trusts or by offering free consultancy through Northumbria’s Business Clinic or Student Law Office.

“This joint campaign with Newcastle University will help to highlight the positive work done by students in our local communities.  I look forward to seeing nominations from across the city.”

Each month from March, the aim is to find Newcastle’s Best Neighbour On Campus. 

Leaflets are being distributed to residents living in student areas across the city giving information on how to nominate, and a panel of judges will decide which of the entries they feel has had the most positive impact on the community.

The judging panel includes local residents, local councillors and representatives from the Universities.

More information and details of how to nominate and the terms and conditions of the competition can be found on the awards website http://www.ncl.ac.uk/best-neighbour/

Six students named Best Neighbours On Campus

One of the winning households last year was that of Oscar Simons, Ollie Armitage, Nat George, Ben Odale, Will Ovenden and Matt Coombes. The students, living on Clayton Road, Jesmond, were nominated by their neighbour for the first Best Neighbour On Campus award.

Collecting the £1,000 reward for their efforts, the six lads said they were “absolutely delighted and honoured to have been nominated.”

Stella Postlethwaite, Labour Councillor for North Jesmond and one of the Best Neighbour On Campus (BNOC) judges, said:

“It was a delight to meet the first student winners of the Best Neighbour on Campus award. The Jesmond resident who nominated them said that they were the best student neighbours that she had had in almost 40 years of living in Jesmond which is just fantastic.

“This award is very important because it celebrates when students and long term neighbours live alongside each other really well.

“Students are such an important part of the community in Jesmond and this award shows that the little everyday steps that students take to fit in with other members of the community are really valued and don’t go unnoticed.

"These students have made their neighbours very happy and will be missed when they move on – they should be very proud.”

Nominating the students, the Clayton Road residents said they hadn’t “done anything ‘earth-shattering’” but were consistently considerate and respectful to all their neighbours and for her, “it was this that was important”.

Praised for keeping the back lane free of rubbish, the nomination said:

“The lads quickly noted that they had moved to a group of predominantly family houses and have tried to fit in accordingly.

“Whenever they have held an event at the house they have informed us in advance and we were extremely impressed when they also provided each of their mobile numbers so that we could get in touch by phone should there be anything that concerned us.

“They are extremely thoughtful and, just recently, even let us know and apologised by text that their burglar alarm had malfunctioned and was ringing - but giving reassurance that they were trying to rectify this. Although these small courtesies and considerations may not sound earth shattering, but having lived in various locations in Jesmond for nearly 40 years, it is wonderful to find students who actively try to fit in.

"This is the first time that I have experienced such consideration and feel that the endeavours of these students to be good neighbours should be applauded and given appropriate recognition.”