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► Be A Good Neighbour
The University of Bedfordshire campuses are located at the heart of small towns so when you join the Uni, you become part of the community. It is therefore very important to establish and maintain good relationships with your neighbours and wider community.
The following tips should help you to do this and remember you can get a lot from giving a little more.
Nuisance noise can cause disputes with your neighbours. Please be considerate especially if you are living next to families or elderly people. Discuss with your neighbours, particularly in flats, whether any noise you make can be heard by them. Remember speech carries as much as any other noise particularly at night. Turn your music down between 11pm and 7.30 am. Tell your neighbours if you plan to hold a party (you could even invite them along!)
Explore your neighbourhood. There can be lots going on in community centres, arts centres, libraries and parks
Introduce yourself to your neighbours…if you are too shy to do this in person, pop a note through their door. They may be able to tell you about your rubbish collection day and other local information or keep an eye on things when you are not there.
Go to residents’ meetings. You can discuss issues concerning your area with council representatives. For details, see the contacts list at the bottom of the page.
Help a neighbour or an organisation in your community
Be considerate if you are a car owner, please park your car thoughtfully. Are you or your visitors blocking your neighbour's access? If you have a driveway please park on it, and not on the road. Think of neighbours when starting up your engine and returning late at night. Keep your revs down and close doors quietly.
Observe what is going on around you. If you see someone who needs a helping-hand...give them one. Also be vigilant to anything unusual eg a neighbour’s house/car alarm going off for long periods. If you see anything suspicious you can always contact the police. Better to be safe than sorry.
University accommodation should be treated just the same as any other community so please treat other students in your hall as neighbours and use all of the tips here to make sure you are a good one.
Recycle anything you can. The local Council Offices will provide you with information about domestic refuse. At the end of term, items which you no longer need but which may be useful to someone else can be advertised at www.freecycle.org.uk. Or you could donate items to charity shops. Unwanted academic books can even be given to the Uni Learning Resources. Try not to put your rubbish out for taking away until the night before the rubbish collection is due as bags may get split and the contents spilled. The local council will fine you if rubbish is not contained properly. If you see that your neighbour has forgotten to put their bin out…do it for them. They will return the favour!
Smile and say ‘hello’ to neighbours and local residents. There are some lonely people around and it may make someone’s day!
Luton Borough Council 01582 546000 (recycling and refuse collection/residents’ meetings)
Bedford Borough Council 01234 267422 (services offered as above)
Bedfordshire Police (non-emergency) 01582 401212
For any advice regarding local services, libraries, volunteering or charities please call the Students’ Union Advice Centre on 01582 743264/3275/3276 and we will signpost you to someone who can help.
Remember…..everybody needs good neighbours!!!!!
Be A Good Neighbour
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