Pants and custard!

Second year Geographers were visited by Tanya Haji-Miller, Community Fundraiser for Northampton Hope Centre – Northampton’s largest space of support for people living in situations of homelessness and housing crisis. 

Tanya gave a fantastic and moving guest lecture about the issues faced by homeless people. One particularly important insight related to the diversity of backgrounds and experiences of homeless people, and the many forms that homelessness can take. Tanya also talked frankly about the challenges of  sustaining services in an increasingly tough economic climate.

Tanya talked about volunteering and careers opportunities in the charitable sector too.

Tanya left us with a collection challenge: to collect as many tins of custard and tuna and pairs of men’s pants as possible! Tanya spoke really movingly about the positive difference something as simple as a hot pudding or fresh underwear can make to a homeless person’s life. 

Donations for Northampton Hope Centre

Geographers learn about water issues from India Director of WaterHarvest charity

On Thursday 6th October second year Geography and Development students were joined by Om Prakash Sharma, Indian Director of the charity WaterHarvest.

Om Prakash Sharma, Indian Director of WaterHarvest charity, with students. (Photo: Chris Fidler)

Om gave an illustrated lecture and answered questions on the topic of water harvesting in semi-arid areas of Rajasthan, India. He drew attention to the conflicts between large scale government projects such as the transfer of water from river to river across India and the traditional village scale water harvesting methods such as the taanka and the chauka.

Om is currently visiting the UK and we were honoured to have him join us for the session.

Geography students raise money for Wells for India

First year Geography students organised a Christmas Fair on campus to raise money for Wells for India. They learned about the work of the charity as part of their Sustainable Development module. Classes  helped the students to understand about various ways of enhancing water access and water quality in dryland environments, and to think critically about the sustainability of development projects.


The event included festive games, such as ‘pin the nose on Rudolph’ and ‘where in the world is Santa’. There was also a bottle tombola, guess the name of the teddy, guess the number of sweets in a jar, and home-made Christmas cards for sale.

Festive games included 'pin the nose on Rudolph'

Guess the name of the teddy was a popular game

Students and staff had an opportunity to get a selfie with Santa too!

The students raised £136.19.

Geography students raise money for Wells for India

First year Geography students have been raising money for Wells for India.  The charity works with the poorest dryland communities in India, helping to secure access to safe water.

Senior Lecturer Dr Kevin Cook is a Trustee of the charity.  Kevin introduced the students to the work of the charity, and showed how charity's projects align with topics covered in class.

Caroline, Asifa, Georgia and Sarah looked after the stall in the morning.
Others helped out later in the day.

To raise money for the charity, the students ran a chocolate stall and an Easter egg raffle.

Staff, students and visitors to the library were given chocolate in return for a donation to the charity.