Education and Resources

糖心原创 > Student Living > Community Engagement > Education and Resources

Education & Resources

We promote a variety of different campaigns at key points during the academic year. Our campaigns centre around several different themes but all of them give you the opportunity to tackle community issues, educate and empower yourself, and have a safe and enjoyable time whilst living off campus. Many of these campaigns are delivered by the Community Engagement team in collaboration with a variety of community and university partners.

Living in the Community

Lenton

Local supermarket:

Lenton Boulevard Convenience: 199-203 Lenton Blvd, Lenton, Nottingham NG7 2BY.
VRA Local: 66 Lenton Blvd, Nottingham NG7 2EN.
Taylors Food & Drink: 357b Derby Rd, Lenton, Nottingham NG7 2DZ.
Sainsbury’s Local: 223 Derby Rd, Nottingham NG7 1QJ.
Park Stores: 161 Derby Rd, Nottingham NG7 1PQ.

Transport Links:

Bus Routes: Lenton has great connections to Nottingham City Centre and the university campuses. Common bus routes include .
Tram Access: The closest tram stops are at University Boulevard and QMC, both offering easy access to the city centre.

Medical and Emergency Services:

GP Practices: Lenton Medical Centre, 10 Lenton Boulevard.
Nearest Hospital: Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC), which includes A&E.
Pharmacies: Boots and other pharmacies are located on Derby Road and around QMC.

Parks and Recreational Areas:

Lenton Recreation Ground: Popular for outdoor activities, sports courts, and green spaces.
University Park: Located nearby with expansive walking paths, lakes, and gardens.

Local Council:

Nottingham City Council, Tel: 0115 915 5555, .

Waste Collection Information:

General Household Waste & Recycling are collected on alternating weeks. Be sure to pull your bins back in once collected.

Once you know your bin day, download your calendar here:

Wednesday Thursday Friday

Local BHF bin:

Derby Road.
The Lenton Centre.
Park Road Tesco.
Lenton Boulevard.
Lenton Recreation Ground.
Derby Road – Gatehouse Lodge.

Community Living Guide

Radford

Local supermarket:

Kubus Mini Market: 19 Radford Rd, Radford, Nottingham NG7 5DQ.
Late Night Convenience: 168 Alfreton Rd, Radford, Nottingham NG7 3NS.
Krakus Food Store: 19 Radford Rd, Radford, Nottingham NG7 5DQ.
Sahaba Food Store: 39 Radford Rd, Radford, Nottingham NG7 5DR.
ALDI: Radford Blvd, Nottingham NG7 5QJ.

Transport Links:

Bus Routes: Served by Trent Barton’s indigo and Nottingham City Transport’s (NCT) 28 and 30 routes with direct routes to the City Centre and universities.

Medical and Emergency Services:

GP Practice: Radford Health Centre, Ilkeston Road.
Nearest Hospital: Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC).
Pharmacies: Various options along Radford Road and Ilkeston Road.

Parks and Recreational Areas:

Radford Recreation Ground: Includes sports fields, playgrounds, and green spaces.

Local Council:

Nottingham City Council, Tel: 0115 915 5555, .

Waste Collection Information:

General Household Waste & Recycling are collected on alternate weeks. Be sure to pull your bins back in once collected.

Once you know your bin day, download your calendar here:

Wednesday Thursday Friday

Local BHF bin:

Ilkeston Road – Garden Street
Radford Recreation Ground
Nottingham Two – Ilkeston Road

Community Living Guide

Dunkirk

Local supermarket:

Sainsbury’s: 11 Castle Bridge Rd, Nottingham NG7 1GX.
Tesco Express: 132 Willoughby St, Nottingham NG7 1SA.
LIDL: Castle Meadow Retail Park, 6C Castle Bridge Rd, Nottingham NG7 1GX.

Transport Links:

Bus Routes: Nottingham City Transport (NCT) buses, including Routes 34 and 36, connect Dunkirk to Nottingham City Centre and other local areas.
Tram Access: Closest tram stops are University Boulevard and Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC).

Medical and Emergency Services:

GP Practice: QMC’s University Health Service offers GP services for students.
Nearest Hospital: Queen’s Medical Centre.
Pharmacies: Within QMC and along Castle Boulevard.

Parks and Recreational Areas:

Dunkirk Community Centre: Hosts community activities and events.
Highfields Park: Located on University Boulevard with a boating lake, gardens, and walking paths.

Local Council:

Nottingham City Council, Tel: 0115 915 5555, .

Waste Collection Information:

General Household Waste & Recycling are collected on alternating weeks. Be sure to pull your bins back in once collected.

Once you know your bin day, download your calendar here:

Wednesday Thursday Friday

Local BHF bin:

Dunkirk Community Centre.
Lace Street – Montpelier Road.

Community Living Guide

Beeston

Local supermarket:

Tesco Extra: 1 Station Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 2WJ
Sainsbury’s: Stoney St, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 2LA.
LIDL: 69 Wollaton Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 2NG.
Oriental Mart: 75 High Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 2LE.
Co-op Food: 291 Queens Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1JB.

Waste Collection Information:

General Household Waste & Recycling are collected on alternating weeks. Be sure to pull your bins back in once collected.

Local BHF bin:

Woodside Shops.
Ancaster, Sherwood and Melton Hall.

Community Living Guide

Kegworth

Local supermarket:

Co-op Food: 9 Market Pl, Kegworth, Derby DE74 2EE.
Morrisons: Gorse Covert Centre, Maxwell Drive, Loughborough, LE11 5RX.
TESCO Superstore: 1 The Rushes, Loughborough, LE11 5BE.
Londis: 8 Cordell Road, Loughborough, LE11 5YJ.
M&S: 13-14, The Rushes Retails Development Unit, Loughborough, LE11 5BE.

Transport Links:

Bus Routes: Well-served by routes including NCT’s 36 and Trent Barton’s indigo, linking Beeston with Nottingham City Centre.
Tram Access: Several stops, such as Beeston Centre and University Boulevard, provide tram service to city areas.

Medical and Emergency Services:

GP Practice: The Manor Surgery on Middle Street.
Nearest Hospital: Queen’s Medical Centre.
Pharmacies: Multiple on High Road and Wollaton Road.

Parks and Recreational Areas:

Beeston Marina: Offers access to the canal and Riverside Park for walks and boating.
Dovecote Lane Park: Features a children’s play area and open green space.

Local Council:

Broxtowe Borough Council, Tel: 0115 917 7777, .

Waste Collection Information:

General Household Waste & Recycling are collected on alternating weeks. Be sure to pull your bins back in once collected.

Local BHF bin:

James Cameron-Gifford library.

Community Living Guide

Your Guide to Renting

Before You Move In: What to Consider

Phone Signal: Test mobile reception inside the property to ensure you’ll stay connected. Use to check signal strength for different providers.
Energy Providers: Ask the landlord who the current energy providers are. If you're unsure, use the tool for gas and electricity information.
Internet Connection: Use tools like to check broadband speed and compare providers.
Safety Checks: Make sure the property has smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and gas/electrical safety certificates. You can check the landlord’s gas safety record with .
Location Considerations: Is the property close to public transport, shops, and your university? Check apps like to plan routes and commute times.

Understanding Your Contract

Types of Contracts:

Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST): Most common for students, usually lasting for 6-12 months. advice provides invaluable information on all tenancy types.
Joint Tenancy vs. Individual Tenancy: Know the differences, especially concerning rent responsibility if housemates leave.

Key Terms to Look Out For:

Deposit Protection: Your landlord must place your deposit in a government-backed scheme (e.g., , , or ).
Rent Due Dates & Late Fees: Be aware of deadlines and penalties and confirm if any bills are included in the rent.
Notice Periods: Understand the terms for ending the tenancy to avoid issues when you move out.
Inventory Checklist: When you move in, complete a detailed inventory and take photos of any damage or wear and tear. Keep a copy of this and ensure the landlord agrees to it.

Setting Up Utilities and Bills

Common Bills to Expect:

Water: Set up an account with your local water supplier. Use to find out who provides water to your property. In Nottingham your supplier will be .
Gas & Electricity: To find out who your supplier is, use . Use comparison sites like or to find the best tariffs and deals.
Internet & TV License: Set up internet with a provider using . Don’t forget to get a if you’re watching live TV or BBC iPlayer.
Council Tax: Full-time students are typically exempt, but you must apply via your local council. Find more details on Nottingham’s council tax exemption .

How to Pay Bills:

Standing Orders & Direct Debits: Set up automated payments for easy bill management. Your bank’s website will have instructions on how to do this.
Splitting Bills: Apps like or help with splitting shared bills among housemates. But be aware, there is a charge for this process.

What It Takes to Run a House

Cleaning Rota: Use shared calendars like or apps like to manage house cleaning schedules.
Bins & Recycling: Find your bin collection days using the . Make sure to check for to avoid fines.
Energy Saving Tips: Turn off lights when not in use, use energy-efficient bulbs, and reduce heating by only warming the rooms you use. Use to keep bills low.
Maintenance Requests: Know your landlord’s obligations under the . Report issues promptly via email to create a paper trail.
Basic Cooking & Meal Planning: Use sites like for simple, budget-friendly recipes.
Laundry Tips: Make sure you know how to sort clothes by colour, read labels, and avoid overloading the washing machine. Here’s a .
DIY Basics: Learn how to unblock a sink, reset a router, or change a lightbulb. YouTube channels like offer handy tutorials.

Moving Out: What You Need to Do

Notice Periods: Be sure to check how much notice you need to give (usually 1-2 months).
End of Tenancy Cleaning: Hire a professional cleaner or deep clean yourself. Use checklists like this one from . Check to see if your Landlord charges for cleaning first.
Check-Out Inventory: Compare the property’s condition to the inventory you completed when moving in. Take photos as evidence.
Deposit Return: Make sure your deposit is returned promptly. If there are disputes, refer to your . More information can be found on .

Additional Resources

Student Advice Service:

Community Campaigns

Helping beat burglary

Working closely with Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), Community Engagement Ambassadors are offering advice on how to beat burglary in highly student-populated areas through the Love Your Stuff campaign. Together, they offer simple advice on how to prevent robberies in the student community.

Through door-knocking exercises in the community, ambassadors hand out information cards and goodies and engage with student residents, advising them to check windows and doors are locked when they go to bed or go out.

Residents are also encouraged to ‘Protect It and Register It’ using which is the free national property register. Our campaigns involve a team of Community Engagement Ambassadors and staff, Police and PCSOs target the Lenton Drives and the Radford Triangle areas of Nottingham.

For further information on how to protect your valuables at home, take a look at the advice from Nottinghamshire Police below:

Crime Prevention

Good Neighbours

Welcome to the 糖心原创’s Good Neighbours Campaign – your ultimate guide to being a responsible tenant and an engaged community member. Our Good Neighbours Campaign is all about fostering a supportive and vibrant community. Providing essential tips and resources to help you navigate university living with ease and respect. From maintaining your space to celebrating cultural diversity, we’ve got you covered!

Key topics covered include: Respecting Property, Parking Consideration, Community Involvement & Cultural Celebration, Conflict Resolution, Noise Awareness, and Waste Management

Good Neighbours

Click here to access our comprehensive campaign booklet, filled with all the tips and resources you need to become a star neighbour!

How We’re Reaching Out:

Social Media: Take a look at our Instagram page @uoncommunity to stay informed on our best tips and tricks when it comes to being a good neighbour.

Be respectful. Be engaged. Be a good neighbour. Together, we can build a thriving community at the 糖心原创!

Recycling

Step One

Understand the recycling scheme for where you live now. This could be very different to how recycling is managed at your ‘home’ address and in on campus halls.

It’s not just what you recycle but how you recycle. Items need to be clean, dry and (in most areas) loose.

Recycling

Step Two

Know your bin days and remember to put bins out on time. A missed bin might force you to put perfectly recyclable materials into your general waste bin.

Step Three

Clothes, shoes, books, furniture, video games, cooking equipment, crockery and pretty much anything else* can be recycled at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) donation banks located in key areas across Nottingham and also on campus.

Find your nearest BHF donation point.

Darker Nights

As days grow shorter, the 糖心原创’s Community Engagement Team is excited to launch our Darker Nights Campaign to help you stay safe, visible, and aware throughout the winter season. Starting October 28th, this month-long initiative offers practical tips to ensure safety and peace of mind during darker evenings, whether you’re at home, walking, or cycling.

With clocks turned back and longer nights ahead, our campaign delivers advice on:

Personal Safety: Tips for staying aware of your surroundings while walking at night.
Home Safety: Ensuring your home is secure and valuables aren’t visible.
Cycling Safety: Key points for making your bike visible and maintaining awareness.
Campus Safety: Encouragement to use well-lit paths, stay alert, and access security resources.

Find all tips, updates, and interactive content on our Instagram page, where we’ll share practical advice weekly. Plus, our Community Engagement Ambassadors will be distributing leaflets and offering further guidance around campus.

Let’s work together to stay safe, visible, and connected during the winter months!

Summer Safety Campaign

As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, the 糖心原创’s Community Engagement Team is excited to launch our Summer Safety campaign! Designed with students in mind, our campaign is all about keeping you safe while ensuring you make the most of your summer in Nottingham.

Click here to access our comprehenstive campaign leaflet, packed with all the information you need to stay safe and have fun this summer!

Our campaign, aptly named ‘Hot Tips’ and ‘Cool Trips’, delivers essential advice on how to stay safe during the summer months and provides suggestions for fun and engaging activities in and around Nottingham. We believe that a safe summer is a fun summer, and we’re here to help you achieve both!

We’re using multiple platforms to ensure you receive our safety tips and activity suggestions. Take a look at our for information on all things ‘Hot Tips’ and ‘Cool Trips’.

Our dedicated Community Engagement Ambassadors will be delivering informative leaflets directly to your doors. These leaflets contain essential safety advice and exciting activity suggestions.

Stay safe, have fun, and enjoy everything Nottingham has to offer this summer!

For more information on personal safety, download your Personal Safety Guide here

Wellbeing Wednesday

Wellbeing Wednesday encourages you to take time just for you and it is dedicated to promote health and wellbeing. As you’re not only a student but also a member of the Nottingham community, we’ll be highlighting activities in and around the community.

Our wellbeing can change from day to day. Research shows that looking after our wellbeing can help cope with stress, resilience, confidence, positive self-esteem, relationships with others, reduce physical health problems and enjoy the world around you!

Here we will highlight various topics each week, with the aim to inform and support you whilst living in the community.

Please find the links included in each post here.