In this post, student parents Sarah and Sylvia highlight the student parents’ community at the University halls of residence. They share what makes the community unique and how it contributes to the overall student experience and connects the university with the local community. They also offer suggestions on how more could be done to enhance this community. This post belongs to the Mar-April Hot Topic series: Being student parents/carers↗️.
This blog post highlights a little-known corner of the University with big potential: a unique and vibrant international community of the residence hall for families at Blacket Avenue in Newington. The University offers approximately 65 family-friendly accommodation spaces, with nearly 70% of these residences situated along Blacket Avenue↗️, adjacent to Pollock Halls of residence. Tucked into a residential neighbourhood, this community comprises student parents, their partners, and children who come from diverse disciplines ranging from arts, engineering, education, health professions, economics, law, food science, theology, and beyond.
Student parents at Blacket Avenue readily identified some of the unique benefits that life in this residence hall affords, and their quotes are peppered throughout this blog post:
- Truly international
Student parents and their families come to Edinburgh from all around the world, and a rich mixture of cultural heritage permeates the flats. With cuisines and traditions shared, Blacket paints a vivid picture of a global community, fostering inclusiveness and enriching experiences that transcend geographical boundaries.
- Togetherness and community building
Student parents are often unable to participate in typical student life events, whether that is because of caring responsibilities or a mismatch of lifestyle and interests. The community offers a supportive space where we can find common ground, learn from each other, support, and feel a part of the university life.
- Local connections
Blacket offers an excellent avenue to form internal and external connections both professionally and personally.
“Blacket is uniquely situated to connect the University with the local community, since the majority of us have kids in local schools, and many have partners who work locally. It’s my experience that I am much more aware of local issues and resources than my peers in my program, and have ideas of how the University and local community might interact creatively”
- In-built support system
There is a sense of openness in the community to ask for and to render help. The individuals of the community are aware of the challenges of student parents and their families, and new residents are welcomed and supported. It is the people at Blacket who make it special and welcoming supporting transitions to the UK that could otherwise be lonely.
“Same life stage, similar challenges – the families have so much in common that you bond instantly.”
Academic and personal support
The majority of student parents at Blacket Avenue are completing post graduate research degrees. In contrast to the social flurry of an undergraduate experience, embarking on a doctoral journey can often be isolating. Connecting with fellow students in the community is a true blessing.
“I find chatting with other PhD students within the community, truly helpful. We all know it is a lengthy and unchartered journey, but it is nice to hear someone say, ‘Yes, I felt the same way too’ or ‘Did you try this? It helps!”.
Residents self-organise events including teas, barbecues, and holiday parties. Participating in these events supports social connection, and the informal conversations provide insights into what it’s like further down the academic path. We hear about our neighbours’ research projects and get inspired; we observe how they skillfully balance academic responsibilities with family life; we learn from and about each other’s culture, enriching our student experience.
“A writing retreat just for student parents [organised by a resident] was a fantastic chance to focus in a setting that worked for us, and to learn from other researchers in a supportive way”.
The community offers opportunities and space for the children of student parent families to interact and build their own connections and friend circles.
The community supports fellow residents in navigating university life.
“The Blacket Women WhatsApp group has been a wonderful resource to share information, whether about the kids’ school, academic resources, work happening in the building, and pragmatic things like heating bills, council tax, and borrowing ingredients for dinner”.
Blacket community and Edinburgh city
With bonds that span across borders, the community mingles within and outside the halls of residence. Aligning with Strategy 2030, the Blacket community actively fosters local community outreach and collaboration, intertwining seamlessly with Edinburgh city and its local community. This commitment is evident through various initiatives and participation in key aspects of community life.
“I think that the Blacket community has actually hugely shaped the neighbourhood. Preston Street Primary School has an identity as a uniquely international school because of our community. Kids and parents and neighbours know of Blacket as a hub of activity for their kids”.
Several residents noted that the University informally interacts with the local community through Blacket families, but that this could be more supported and formalised. Multiple student parents mentioned the possibility of partnering with nearby primary school, with one idea being to collaborate around the biodiversity of the green space around the residence hall.
How can the Blacket community be better supported? What are the opportunities?
While the benefits of this community are many, we are aware of a number of areas that could be better supported by the University. Firstly, with a steadily increasing percentage of students enrolled in university courses being student parents, one would ideally expect better visibility of these students with caring responsibilities in university learning spaces and policies. However, the current reality is far from expectation. Further, there is a concern that rising accommodation rental prices for students ripple into and perpetuates socio-economic disparities within the student population. Thus, there is an urgent need for the university to address these concerns and actively prioritise the well-being and inclusivity of student parents/carers in their policies and practices.
Unlike other student residence halls, Blacket has no study spaces, or any indoor common areas at all. The community gatherings that benefit students so much must happen in family flats, which quickly become crowded. There is a large outdoor space, but it has no covered areas to protect from the weather. The unique strengths of the Blacket community to support each other socially and academically would really be enhanced by a dedicated common space indoors, and by a covered space in the garden for gathering outdoors.
Another challenge is the lack of “institutional memory” at Blacket, and information is very inconsistently communicated. For example, access/management of garden spaces, and access and care for bike storage, happens informally through word of mouth. There are no systems or protocols in place to manage these things, so they become sloppy and no one is responsible. As a result, opportunities for a dynamic outdoor space and accessible sustainable travel are lost.
The University should also do more to involve the Blacket community in local projects, such as biodiversity efforts and outdoor education. There is fantastic opportunity presented by the garden/woodland space around Blacket and our tight connection with Preston Street Primary School.
“The department of Social Responsibility and Sustainability should get involved and realise what a great asset the Blacket community could be for their efforts. I reached out to staff in that department and wasn’t able to get much of a response. Blacket feels a bit forgotten.”
From its vibrant international diversity to its unwavering sense of support and harmony, Blacket Avenue embodies the spirit of inclusivity and belonging. As residents navigate the challenges of academic pursuits and family life, they find solace and inspiration in the tight-knit bonds forged within this unique community. With some support to make the most of its strengths, it could be even more so.
Sarah R. Squire
Sarah R. Squire recently completed a MSc in Outdoor Environmental and Sustainability Education, and has been offered admission to continue to PhD. Her interests include intersectional sustainability, philosophy of education, land- and place-based education, and human and more-than-human communities. She is a learner of Gaelic and British Sign Language. Originally from California, Sarah and her family enjoy Scottish culture, food, and weather.
Sylvia Joshua Western
Sylvia is currently doing her PhD in Clinical Education at The University of Edinburgh and has a Master’s degree in Clinical Education. Her PhD research explores test-wise behaviours in Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) context. Coming from a dental background, she enjoys learning about and researching clinical assessments. She works part-time as a PhD intern at Teaching Matters, the University’s largest blog and podcast platform through Employ.ed scheme at the Institute of Academic Development.
