Safety First: How Our Student Accommodation Keeps Students Safe | CityBlock
Students in CityBlock student accommodation communal space

With years of experience in providing premium accommodation tailored to the needs of students, CityBlock understands the importance of a safe and secure living environment. We believe that when students feel safe and protected, they can focus on their studies, explore new opportunities, and make lasting memories during their time at university.

As students embark on their educational journey, it is essential to ensure a secure and comfortable environment that fosters learning and personal growth. At CityBlock, we take pride in prioritising safety above all else. Our commitment to creating a secure living experience for students sets us apart, so today, we’re exploring how our student accommodation goes the extra mile to keep students safe.

Why Staying Safe at University Is Crucial

Ensuring safety at university is of utmost importance. University campuses are vibrant and diverse, offering countless growth opportunities, but they also present unique challenges when it comes to safety. So, prioritising personal security, being proactive in crime prevention, and familiarising yourself with emergency protocols are crucial.

Alongside this, taking care of mental health and wellbeing is also crucial. For example, making informed choices regarding alcohol and practising digital safety are essential to staying safe. By fostering a sense of community and collective responsibility, students contribute to a safe and inclusive environment. Ultimately, staying safe at university allows students to fully engage in their studies, participate in extracurricular activities, and forge meaningful connections while having peace of mind.

Students studying on laptops

Taking Personal Responsibility for Your Safety

Taking personal responsibility for your safety in student accommodation is crucial during your time at university. As mentioned, make sure to familiarise yourself with the safety features and protocols provided by us, such as emergency exits and contact information. We also offer a fantastic range of useful documents on our website, including renting guidance, which informs readers of safety measures to check before moving into your student accommodation.

It is your responsibility to report any concerns or suspicious activities to our accommodation staff, and we will do our best to resolve the issue or point you in the right direction to get assistance.

Looking After Your Friends

Starting university is a daunting time for most people. It’s often the first time away from home, in an unfamiliar place with strangers, and living with people you’ve never met. Because of this, the friends you make quickly become incredibly important. Having a support system around you, whether that be your flatmates, coursemates, or those you met in societies and clubs, is crucial.

These are the people who you can offer emotional support during the ups and downs of university life, creating a sense of belonging and helping you navigate through challenging times. Additionally, by looking out for your friends’ mental health, you can identify signs of distress and encourage them to seek help when needed. This not only contributes to their wellbeing but also fosters a caring community when it’s needed most.

Students talking about their mental health

Mental Health

Similarly, City Block is committed to supporting the mental health of our residents, as we understand that it is a crucial aspect of their wellbeing and safety. We offer a range of services and resources to assist with our residents’ mental health, such as:

  • Mental health training for our staff, allowing onsite teams to identify any concerns and signpost you to support from your relevant university.
  • We organise regular get-togethers, including pizza, games, and quiz nights. All these events help you to get to know other students within the accommodation blocks.
  • CityBlock offers excellent communal areas for our residents to socialise and relax.
Students relaxing in communal space in CityBlock accommodation

Prioritising mental health in student accommodation is essential because students can face various challenges during their academic journey, and it is crucial to provide support and resources to help them manage these challenges. By prioritising mental health, we can create a safe and supportive environment that promotes academic success and personal growth.

Security Measures at Cityblock

At CityBlock, we have implemented an extensive range of security measures to keep our residents safe while staying in our accommodation; let’s take a look:

  • 24-hour security cover and CCTV
  • Secure access with a fob for flat entry and individual locks to all bedrooms
  • Well-managed blocks with responsive maintenance teams on site
  • We conform to the latest Health and Safety regulations and are Fire Risk Assessed

Everything decision we make and process we implement has been thought of with our resident’s safety at the forefront. This also includes our weekly cleaning service, which we believe is equally important for resident health and safety. On top of this, we ask that all residents take personal responsibility for cleaning and hygiene to ensure the bedrooms and communal areas remain sanitary for themselves and other members of the accommodation. To help with this, we have onsite washing facilities at all our accommodation sites.

Student using communal washing machines

As you will understand, many different factors go into safety for residents of student accommodation, which are both the responsibility of the individual and ourselves as the accommodation provider.

Please inform our staff if you have any questions or concerns about your safety. Here are the contact details for each of our locations:

Get in touch with the team at our student accommodation in Reading on 0118 950 0216.

Contact a staff member at our student accommodation in Lancaster on 01524 39696.

Give our student accommodation in Durham a ring on 0191 303 7770.

Posted on June 29th, 2023