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This summer, Unite Students is launching ‘In Conversation’: a 3-episode podcast mini-series, showcasing in-depth discussions with 3 Higher Education sector experts about their experiences, sector insights, and what they anticipate for the future.

‘In Conversation’: A new Higher Education podcast mini-series

This summer, Unite Students is launching ‘In Conversation’: a podcast mini-series, showcasing in-depth discussions with 3 Higher Education sector experts about their experiences, sector insights, and what they anticipate for the future. Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director and series host, shares more.
Intern sat at their desk with a laptop
15/06/2022

10,000 BLACK INTERNS: Providing opportunities for all

In June, we welcomed nine interns to Unite Students as part of our partnership with 10,000 Black Interns.
A sense of belonging is essential to a positive working and living experience, underpinned by factors including equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and wellbeing.

Belonging: How we’re creating room for everyone at Unite Students

A sense of belonging is essential to a positive working and living experience, underpinned by factors including equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and wellbeing. As such, Unite Students is shifting away from the phrase ‘EDI’ and towards new language which more precisely captures the holistic nature of inclusion.
Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director, attended the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI)’s annual conference on 9th June – here are her key takeaways for the student accommodation sector. The HEPI Annual Conference is always a red letter day in the higher education calendar, not least because it doubles up as the launch of the annual HEPI/HEA Student Experience Survey. This year was especially interesting, as we were all eagerly waiting to find out whether student satisfaction and wellbeing had bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. The answer was mixed, and well debated at the conference - as you might imagine. There were a few surprises in the data, and new announcements from the Minister of State for Higher and Further Education, Michelle Donelan. There was plenty in the conference that was relevant to student accommodation, and I came away realising that accommodation can address many of the issues raised; in fact, in many cases, we are already doing so. Perhaps now is the time for student accommodation to have an even stronger voice in higher education policy. There is a new Student Support Champion. Edward Peck, Vice-Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University, has been appointed as the government’s national champion for student support. Among other things he will be supporting universities to use technology and other tools to spot early warning signs that students need support, and there is a focus on the role that academic staff can play. However, accommodation staff are often the first to know when students are struggling with their mental health, so it’s essential that we get this on his agenda too. Students are much lonelier than the general population. Almost a quarter - 23% - of students felt lonely most or all of the time, compared to 5% of the general population. Alison Johns of Advance HE pulled out a student quote as an illustration: “It’s new, and I’m lost.” The popularity of the recent CUBO ResLife conference illustrates how much of a focus this is for our sector. These survey results show just how much of a difference a comprehensive and inclusive welcome and social programme is for today’s students. The government appears to have ruled out setting student number caps. Michelle Donelan said “No-one is talking about limiting numbers going to university”. Whether this is a firm promise or not we will have to wait and see, but if so we can expect the demographic uplift to bring us bumper intakes of domestic students over the coming years. Belonging is a ‘secret sauce’ and universities need to think about who will feel comfortable and happy in their institution. In a thoughtful and data-informed presentation, Josephine Hansom from YouthSight challenged universities to think very carefully about the type of students that will feel comfortable at their university, and whether this is reflected accurately in their marketing. Students can’t do well academically if they don’t have that feeling of comfort and belonging, so universities must ensure that the reality reflects the promise. ‘Living with or close to other students’ was the third biggest contributor to a sense of belonging, and it was even more significant to LGBT+ students. Josephine shared other data that showed LGBT+ young people were less optimistic, less likely to say they wanted to get to the top of their career and less likely to be entrepreneurs. As a result, we are missing out on great leadership talent as a country. Universities – and student accommodation – are “places where this can change” for LGBT+ students and other minority groups. Black students and students from other ethnic minority groups feel a lower sense of belonging. The survey replicated the findings of our Living Black at University research about the lower sense of belonging among Black students. We know already that what happens in accommodation can have a significant impact on Black students’ sense of belonging, and as a sector we are already working on addressing these findings. This is a real opportunity for student accommodation to lead the wider sector on this important issue. If the survey data is the colouring book, lived experience provides the colours In a powerful and moving presentation Melody Stephen, General Secretary of the University of Manchester Students’ Union talked about the importance of understanding the lived experience of students. She shared an example of a Black student who walked into accommodation and was assumed to be a housekeeper, and another of a care experienced student who arrived at university only to find that the promised support did not live up to what they had been told. It's clear that understanding the lived experience is important to making change. While the data presents a mixed bag for students, there’s a clear will across the sector to effect positive change – and student accommodation can play an important part in that. Read Jenny’s recent blog on helping students to feel a sense of belonging in their accommodation here.

HEPI Annual Conference: 6 takeaways for student accommodation

Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director, attended the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI)’s annual conference on 9th June – here are her key takeaways for the student accommodation sector.
What does student accommodation look like in different markets, and how does the UK’s provision differ from the US and Australia? Learn more from the lively, informative discussion in this month’s episode of Accommodation Matters.
07/06/2022

What can UK accommodation providers learn from overseas PBSA?

What does student accommodation look like in different markets, and how does the UK’s provision differ from the US and Australia? Learn more from the lively, informative discussion in this month’s episode of Accommodation Matters.
Money can be a major stressor for students

What you need to know about the widening student gender money gap

Following on from our recent cost of living research, Vivi Friedgut – Founder and CEO of Blackbullion – explores an unexpected finding from their Student Money & Wellbeing report, published this year.
The Unite Foundation has supported more than 500 estranged and care experienced students at university

Mental Health Awareness Week 2022: Being there for estranged LGBTQ+ students

Family estrangement is sadly all too common for LGBTQ+ students. For Mental Health Awareness Week 2022, Fiona Ellison - Director of the Unite Foundation - shares what the Foundation is doing to support estranged and care experienced LGBTQ+ students, and what Higher Education institutions can do to support their mental health and wellbeing.
This month's episode of Accommodation Matters covers the future of student mental health and wellbeing

What’s next for the future of student mental health?

We take a deep-dive into current student mental health trends, the latest thinking in the student support sector, and what this means for the future of student mental health.
05/05/2022

Benefits of purpose-built student accommodation – creating value for local communities

Growth in student numbers in the UK shows no sign of abating. Students need homes, and many live in Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs), putting pressure on local housing. With HMOs in London containing an average of 2.5 people, a new 1,000-bed student accommodation scheme would potentially free up 400 homes. This is the scale of the problem that purpose-built student accommodation providers could solve.
Belonging is fundamental to a positive student experience

5 ways to help students feel they belong in their accommodation

In the second of a two-part series, Jenny Shaw – Higher Education External Engagement Director at Unite Students – offers her insights into helping students to feel a sense of belonging in their accommodation.
Muslim students make up approximately 10% of the UK's student population

Doing more for Muslim students in UK student accommodation

With the number of Muslim students in the UK likely to grow in the coming years, we look at what challenges they face, and how we’re supporting our Muslim community at Cambrian Point, Cardiff, to celebrate Ramadan.
Unite Students were a gold sponsor of National Student Pride 2022

Supporting LGBTQ+ students at National Student Pride

Unite Students was proud to be a Gold Sponsor of National Student Pride, the UK’s biggest LGBT+ student event, last weekend (8-10th April). Here’s what we did at the event, why we did it, and what we’re doing to support LGBTQ+ students and employees here at Unite.
Going to university can be seen as risky to prospective students from the perspective of belonging

“It’s a bit scary”: Risk, belonging and higher education

A new Social Market Foundation report, sponsored by Unite Students, outlines how social patterning can influence prospective students' choice to go to university. Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director at Unite Students, outlines how the risk of not belonging can also affect the choice to go to university, and the impact that familiar, trusted careers advice can have on this.
The cost of living crisis is currently impacting on students' finances

What does the cost of living crisis mean for students?

The current UK cost of living crisis is affecting everyone, and students are no exception. Three experts share what the sector needs to know about the current situation, including our new survey data on the topic.
This month's episode of Accommodation Matters covers the rising cost of living for students.

Accommodation Matters S04E02: The rising cost of living

Our latest episode of Accommodation Matters delves into the big topic of the moment - the cost of living crisis, and what it means for students and their accommodation.
Sarah Reynolds, Area Manager for London South at Unite Students and and the new chair of ASRA

Leading the sector: My ASRA manifesto

Sarah Reynolds, Area Manager at Unite Students, is the new chair of ASRA. Here, she outlines her sector experience, why she put herself forward for the role, and what her plans are for ASRA.
The majority of today's students are part of Gen Z

What does student accommodation look like for Gen Z?

Adapted from a presentation given at the 2022 ASRA Conference this week by Pin Yiong and Victoria Simmons, intrapreneur Ericka Yabut outlines some of the key characteristics of Gen Z, how this drives what they want from student accommodation, and what we’re doing to accommodate this.
08/03/2022

International Women’s Day: Five Unite Students employees share their experiences of equality

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the social, economic and cultural achievements of all women. Here, five Unite Students employees provide an insight – in their own words - into their experiences of gender equality.
Loneliness can be a real issue for students, particularly in the second term of their first year.

Combatting loneliness through our Winter Wellbeing campaign

Jenny Dalzell – Student Support Manager at Unite Students – shares some insights from our recent Winter Wellbeing campaign against loneliness.
Tom Guy and Celine Bagtas of National Student Pride share their experiences of being LGBTQ+ at university

How has the LGBTQ+ student experience changed over time?

Unite Students is proud to share that we are sponsors of National Student Pride for 2022. As part of LGBT History Month, founder Tom Guy and colleague Celine share their experiences of being LGBTQ+ students at university 14 years apart, what has changed since then, and why National Student Pride was founded.
Accommodation Matters is Unite Students' podcast about all things student accommodation

Accommodation Matters S04E01: Living Black at University

Accommodation Matters is back for 2022 with a new season! In this first instalment, we share the highlights of our Living Black at University launch event and discussion panel.

My experience of university as a Black student

Third-year Journalism student David shares, in his own words, how his university experience has been influenced by his race.

Building a community through events at Unite Students

With the second term in full swing, we spoke to some of our Resident Ambassador Champions to find out more about some of the events that Resident Ambassadors have run so far this academic year, and what they’ve got planned for the year ahead.
'Living Black at University' is a ground-breaking new piece of research commissioned by Unite Students.

Living Black at University report: What you need to know

Today, Unite Students has published ‘Living Black at University’, major new research looking into Black students’ experience in UK student accommodation, commissioned by Unite Students and carried out by Halpin Partnership. Here’s an overview of what you need to know about the report, and where you can find out more.
Positive Impact promotes initiatives around sustainability within the communities in which we operate - find out how your university can work with us on these.

How we’re working to improve our local communities

Designed to support sustainability within our buildings, business and the wider communities in which we operate, Positive Impact provides an opportunity to work closely with our university partners on community initiatives.
First year students can be especially prone to feelings of loneliness at university

How Higher Education can support students through loneliness

Kerry Watson, Student Support Manager, shares some insight into loneliness and how we’re aiming to tackle it over January and February.
Jan Spalek, a Residence Life Warden at Clarence Dock Village in Leeds

A Day in the Life of… a Residence Life Warden

We caught up with Leeds-based Residence Life Warden Jan Spalek about his experience of living alongside students at Clarence Dock Village, his insights into creating community through student events, and the clamour for in-person events following the disruption of Covid-19.
Accommodation Matters is Unite Students' podcast about all things student accommodation

Accommodation Matters S03E03: Unite Foundation takeover

The latest episode of Accommodation Matters is now live, and this month, we’re sharing a very special episode: a takeover by the Unite Foundation, in which the panel discusses the university experiences of estranged and care-experienced students.

9 popular articles that defined Unite Students’ 2021

We look back over some of Unite Students' most-read articles of 2021 and what they say about Higher Education's priorities across the year.
Jenny Shaw speaks at the Student Accommodation Conference 2021

Five things we learned from the Student Accommodation 2021 Conference

Jenny Shaw, our Higher Education External Engagement Director, attended and spoke at this year’s Property Week Student Accommodation Conference. Here are her key takeaways from the event – as well as three insights we shared.
Unite Students is celebrating its 30th anniversary

30 years of Unite Students

2021 marks Unite Students’ 30th anniversary. From humble beginnings in Bristol to the UK’s largest provider of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), based in 25 cities across England, Scotland and Wales, it’s been quite a journey. We've put together a list of 30 milestones we’re most proud of over the last three decades, and spoken to three former residents to find out what it was like to live with us and what they’ve gone on to do since graduating.
Ahead of the launch of our net-zero pathway, James Tiernan shares some of our plans for decarbonising heat at CUBO’s Winter Conference 2021.

CUBO Winter Conference 2021: How we’re decarbonising hot water

Ahead of the launch of our net-zero carbon pathway, James Tiernan - Head of Energy and Environment at Unite Students - shared some of our plans for decarbonising hot water at CUBO’s Winter Conference 2021.
We interview Chaquile Damoah, a Service and Sales Advisor in London

A Day in the Life of… a Service and Sales Advisor

In our feature series A Day in the Life Of…, we introduce some of our people on the front lines at Unite Students, working to make students’ accommodation experience the best it can be. Chaquile Damoah, a London-based Service and Sales Advisor, tells us more about his role, as well as some stories from his time on reception.
On this month's episode of Accommodation Matters, we look at the changing role of parents in Higher Education.

The changing role of parents in Higher Education

Our latest episode of Accommodation Matters is now live. This month, we’re taking a deep dive into the role of parents within Higher Education, how this has changed over time, and what this means for students, universities and accommodation providers.
One of our values at Unite Students is 'Room for Everyone', showing our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Transgender Awareness Week 2021: Supporting the trans community

15-19 November is Transgender Awareness Week. Garnet Fox, Service and Safety Advisor in Liverpool, shares their experience of being a trans employee at Unite Students, the current risks they face, and the very real consequences that discrimination can bring.
Sam Kingsley, EDI and Wellbeing Manager at Unite Students

Interview: Embedding Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Wellbeing at Unite Students

We caught up with Sam Kingsley - our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) and Wellbeing Manager - to find out about her work at Unite so far.
'Look after your mate' is a pilot scheme that educates students on how they can support their friends through a rough patch, and where they can signpost to

‘Look after your mate’: Our new peer support initiative

We’ve launched a pilot of ‘Look after your mate’ workshops for students, to guide them on what to do if a friend is struggling. Jenny Dalzell, Student Support Manager, shares more about this initiative, including what it involves, why we’re doing it, and how we’re doing it.
Unite Foundation students live in Unite Students' buildings as part of their scholarship

Providing a safe, stable home for Unite Foundation students

Find out what the Unite Foundation's scholarship students have to say about their experience of university during the pandemic, what improvements they’d like to see, and what it’s been like living in Unite Students’ buildings.
An image of a Resident Ambassador, smiling and wearing a yellow t-shirt, standing to the right of a young woman in a red top.

A new model for student leadership: Our updated resident ambassador programme

Unite Students launched its student ambassador scheme in 2016. This year, we’ve overhauled and rebranded it as the resident ambassador scheme; Intrapreneur Pin Yiong shares what the new-look initiative looks like.
This month, our 'A Day in the Life Of...' interviewee is Jenny Dalzell, Unite Students' Student Support Manager for Sheffield, Leeds and Birmingham.

A Day in the Life of… a Student Support Manager

In our feature series A Day in the Life Of…, we introduce some of our people on the front lines at Unite Students, working to make students’ accommodation experience the best it can be. This time, our interviewee is Jenny Dalzell, the Student Support Manager for Sheffield, Leeds and Birmingham, who has been with us for two and a half years.

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