By Beth Robinson, SciTech Deputy Editor
Surveys from the Students’ Union and the University of Bristol keep finding that students want more community. Yet, with Fresher’s Week events, more than 400 societies, the global lounge, a seemingly endless stream of networking events and more, it's hard to work out the specifics of what more community for students actually means.
It can certainly come from that list, but a neighbourhood community has more focus on where you live and your shared spaces in that area. Neighbourhood communities can be the same as communities, just more localised. It could be anything from a local tree planting group to a book or art club, to simply a street group chat where people chat and pick up bread for each other if someone's going shopping.
The latest government neighbourhood and community survey found that younger people (around the average student age) are less likely to feel a sense of belonging in their neighbourhood. In particular, folks living in urban areas are less likely to feel that they belong than those in rural communities. The same trend extends to those who regularly chat to their neighbours. Whilst not specific to students, this does sound familiar.
Ultimately, many of us are in that ‘student bubble.’ Bristol is a city filled with neighbourhood community initiatives, though the entry barriers for students can sometimes be high. Maybe because of time spent in lectures, studying or the time of day not fitting into your schedule. Perhaps there’s a level of anxiety about meeting new people outside of your immediate circle (especially if half of your education was spent in lockdown.) Maybe it is because you are part of a marginalised group and unsure if a neighbourhood community will be accepting, or generally feeling as though the only way to make connections is to try to fit in with other students.
Amy Granger
Second year law student Disha Angadi, whose friend group is made up of students, explained her main reasons for not being part of a neighbourhood community. Firstly, she has not been living in Bristol long enough to explore these societies. Secondly, she said ‘the cultural barrier is a challenge – I sometimes don’t know how to respond or get involved in certain social settings (as they differ starkly from those in my home country.)’ She also added that she would love to join them in the future, seeing them as ‘close knit communities’ and overall ‘super fun!’
As is pretty common, there are lots of reasons to not do something, which can be absolutely valid. However, if you have the inclination, neighbourhood communities outside of student life can be phenomenal ways to support, and be supported by, those who live near you. It can build intergenerational friendships across different cultures and add to your understanding of people and environments. Plus, it’s usually free!
It's not impossible to join a neighbourhood community as a student, but it does require overcoming the idea that your only sense of community comes from being a student, and it also requires the setting to be welcoming and accessible. You may not have to sacrifice anything at all to get to know your neighbours and what they get up to. After all, you’re not firmly committing to anything in trying out new things.
If you do have the inclination to be part of a neighbourhood community and aren’t sure where to start, you could go and say hi to your neighbours, see if there's a Facebook group (yes, Facebook) for your area, start by searching online, check out Bristol City Council's online communities page or look on Headfirst (also an app) for upcoming arts-based events to meet new people.
Laura Mallinson
Hannah Corcoran
Featured: Epigram / Luke Buckland
What might you do to integrate yourself into the local community?
