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Your Feedback There are multiple ways for you to feedback to staff members about your experience around the University. We want you to know that they are always being monitored and we make actions regularly. Here are the ways that you can have your say: Student Council - Speak to your Student Representatives and provide them with written feedback. Staff Student Feedback Meetings (SSFM's) - Contact your course leader for information on when the next meeting will be. Student Representatives - In addition to at Student Council and SSFM meetings, Student Representatives can also independently raise a concern or question to the relevant staff member. Students' Union Suggestion Form - You can find this here . Students' Union Suggestions Box - This is an anonymous box with paper slips located in the Students' Union. Speak directly to the Students Union - email us or drop into the Student Union Office during office hours to speak to your Student Union President about any questions, concerns or suggestions relating to any area of your University experience. Course Surveys - These questionnaires are produced to give you the opportunity to evaluate your course and specific units within it. You may comment anonymously on various aspects of your unit delivery, e.g. content, structure, presentation, workload, and provision of resources. Induction Survey - During your first year you will be invited to complete a short survey about your induction process, from interview and enrolment to IT and Students' Union information. National Student Survey (NSS) - provided during your final year of study. This is your opportunity to have an impact and to reflect on your overall satisfaction of the college services, and your program. Graduate Outcomes Survey - Replacing the DLHE (Destination of Leavers in Higher Education) this will be a survey sent out to you 15 months after graduating. Your voice matters, speak up and help to craft your experience.

Freshers 2023 We want to make sure you have the best start to Arts University Plymouth and we want to help you all settle in. Our Student Ambassadors will be on-hand to help you move into Host accommodation, The Old Dairy and Frobisher House, and will be at all of our events to answer any questions you might have and help you meet people from all areas of the AUP community. We want to be as inclusive as possible so we've planned events to suit everybody, from tours of the city to bar nights in the Students' Union, as well as events for LGBTQ+ students, mature students, international students and more. All of our events are ticketed, so that you can grab your space at any of our Freshers activities and won't have to worry about missing out. We've planned everything from free events on campus to free trips in the city, to help you get to know your new home! BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE

Snowsports Plymouth Snowsports Centre With Ski, Snowboard, Tubing and Tobogganing - there's something for everyone at Plymouth Snowsports Centre. Click here to visit their website and find out more.

Freshers 2021 We want to make sure you have the best start to Plymouth College of Art and we want to help you all settle in. Our Student Union Ambassadors will be on-hand to help you move into Host accommodation, The Old Dairy and Frobisher House, and will be at all of our events to answer any questions you might have and help you meet people from all areas of the PCA community. We want to be as inclusive as possible so we're planning events to suit everybody, from tours of the city to exciting bar nights in the freshly renovated Students' Union, as well as events for LGBTQ+ students, mature students and more. All of our events will be ticketed, even the free ones, so that you can grab your space at any of our Freshers activities and won't have to worry about missing out. We have everything from paid trips to local attractions, to admission-free events both on campus and around the city, to help you get to know your new home - check them out via Eventbrite ! All events are subject to change and will be in line with Covid restrictions at the time.

Bra Recycling Against Breast Cancer - Bra Bank Against Breast Cancer's bra recycling scheme takes your unwanted or unloved bras and through their network of bra banks raises vital funds for pioneering breast cancer research. We have a Bra Bank in the Students' Union which you can donate to. Donated bras also help to support small businesses in Africa. Together with their recycling partners, and their textile recovery project prevents these bras going into landfill before giving them a new lease of life in developing countries such as Togo, Ghana and Kenya, where bras remain too expensive to produce locally. Successful ventures like this keep many families in developing countries out of poverty whilst providing employment for people at home in the UK. Any bras that are genuinely beyond redemption are dismantled and disposed of properly. For every tonne of bras collected, Against Breast Cancer receives £700 to fund their research. With over 30 million women in the UK you could really help make a difference. Bring your old bra's into the SU and donate today! Vape Recycling In the UK, approximately 5 million single-use vapes are thrown away each week. This amounts to about 8 vapes discarded every second, highlighting a significant environmental problem. In collaboration with our Sustainability Lead 2022-24, Tobias Davies, we worked with the University Estates team to install a vape recycling bin in the Students' Union. This is regularly emptied so we encourage you to bring in your vapes, your mates vapes or even vapes you've found on the street, so that they can be properly recycled.

Freshers 2020 Many of you might be wondering how Freshers will work this year with the restrictions that Coronavirus puts in place. We want you to have the most authentic Freshers experience possible whilst also keeping you safe, so we will be running all of our usual events in person but there are limited capacities and each will be ticketed to ensure your safety, all events will be booked through Eventbrite . We want to make sure you have the best start to Plymouth College of Art and we want to help you all settle in. Our Student Union Ambassadors will be on hand to help you move into Host halls and will be at all of our events to answer any questions you might have and help you meet people from all areas of the PCA community. We want to be as inclusive as possible so we're planning events to suit everybody, from casual Coffee and Cake events to fun Drink and Draw events. You can find the full details of all events below, along with the links to book them. See you soon! City Tour September 13, 4:30-6:30 Get to know the city with our fun tour of Plymouth. We'll leave from outside PCA and your tour guides will point out all the useful shops and landmarks like the Theatre Royal Plymouth, Smeaton's Tower and Tinside Lido. The tour ends on the Barbican where we'll get fish and chips (traditional, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free). Book This Event City Tour September 21, 4:30-6:30 Get to know the city with our fun tour of Plymouth. We'll leave from outside PCA and your tour guides will point out all the useful shops and landmarks like the Theatre Royal Plymouth, Smeaton's Tower and Tinside Lido. The tour ends on the Barbican where we'll get fish and chips (traditional, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free). Book This Event City Tour September 28, 4:30-6:30 Get to know the city with our fun tour of Plymouth. We'll leave from outside PCA and your tour guides will point out all the useful shops and landmarks like the Theatre Royal Plymouth, Smeaton's Tower and Tinside Lido. The tour ends on the Barbican where we'll get fish and chips (traditional, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free). Book This Event The Box Visit October 2, 1:30 onwards Our neighbours at The Box are back and open again after their amazing renovation so we're taking you on a tour to see what they have in store for you! Book This Event City Tour October 5, 4:30-6:30 Get to know the city with our fun tour of Plymouth. We'll leave from outside PCA and your tour guides will point out all the useful shops and landmarks like the Theatre Royal Plymouth, Smeaton's Tower and Tinside Lido. The tour ends on the Barbican where we'll get fish and chips (traditional, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free). Book This Event The Box Visit October 6, 1:30 onwards Our neighbours at The Box are back and open again after their amazing renovation so we're taking you on a tour to see what they have in store for you! Book This Event Coffee and Cake Morning October 7, 10-12 Join us in the Students' Union (Tavistock Place) for some coffee and cake - perfect for those who want to socialise and get to know other students in a more chilled out and relaxed environment. Coffee, tea and cake will be provided! Book This Event Coffee and Cake Afternoon October 7, 1-3 Join us in the Students' Union (Tavistock Place) for some coffee and cake - perfect for those who want to socialise and get to know other students in a more chilled out and relaxed environment. Coffee, tea and cake will be provided! Book This Event Plant Sale w/ Nook Houseplants October 8, 12:30-4 Need some new plants to brighten up your room, or just need to replace the ones you forgot to water? Find the Nook Houseplants stall in the Students' Union (Tavistock Place) to satisfy all your plant needs! Book This Event Drink and Draw: Plant Pot Painting October 8, 5:30-9 Bevs, friends and drawing - what more could you ask for? Join us for a chilled evening of drawing, drinking and socialising in the Students' Union (Tavistock Place) - we'll have some plant pots to decorate too, for those of you who dropped into the plant sale earlier in the day. Book This Event Aquarium Trip October 11, 2-5 Join us as we visit the National Marine Aquarium ! We'll meet you outside at 1:45pm and you can explore at your leisure until 5pm, then you're free to head home or enjoy your Sunday evening at the amazing pubs and bars at the Barbican. Tickets are £20 per person, which includes admission to the Aquarium. This event will be ticketed and has a limited number due to the requirements of the Aquarium. You will need a face mask to be allowed entry - if you do not have one, let us know beforehand and we can bring a disposable face mask for you. Book This Event Tie-Dye Lunch October 14, 11:30-1:30 Join us for a fun event where you can make your own tie-dyed items whilst socialising in the Students' Union (Tavistock Place)! Book This Event Tie-Dye Lunch October 14, 2-4 Join us for a fun event where you can make your own tie-dyed items whilst socialising in the Students' Union (Tavistock Place)! Book This Event Drink and Draw October 14, 5-9 Bevs, friends and drawing - what more could you ask for? Join us for a chilled evening of drawing, drinking and socialising in the Students' Union (Tavistock Place). Book This Event Blind Date with a Book October 15, 12-5 Come along to the Students' Union and buy an affordable book, with a twist - the books will be wrapped so that you can't judge it by the cover but will have a small description so you can figure out if it's of interest to you! Books will be £1-3. Book This Event SU Merch Flash Sale October 16, 12-5 Join us in the Students' Union to browse all of the SU merch! We'll have merch items from just £1 and even a merch bundle so you can get everything for less! Book This Event Movie and Pizza Night October 20, 5:30-9 Join us for our movie night in the Students' Union - free entry and free pizza! We'll be posting a poll for you to vote on which film you'd like to see on the night! Book This Event Quiz Night October 22, 6-9 Join us for a fun quiz night in the Students' Union, with drinks available from the SU Bar. We will also be live streaming for those who feel more comfortable playing along at home. Book This Event LGBTQ+ Bar Night October 23, 5:30-9 Our LGBTQ+ Representative, Harry McCallum, is hosting an LGBTQ+ Bar Night for all of our new students to meet current members of our LGBTQ+ Society. Book This Event

Student Council Interested in making your voice heard? So you want to be more engaged? Want to make your voice heard? Join the team of amazing Student Representatives working hard to put across your views and making positive changes across the Arts University Plymouth community. Each course has 2 Student Representatives and 1 Reserve Student Representative in each year cohort, who volunteer for the role at the start of each year and are decided upon by the members of their class. In previous years, Student Representatives have achieved everything from making getting upgraded equipment in the ERC, Students' Union renovations, sanitary pins in the men's toilets and more! Student Representative Role Profile As a Student Representative your job is to represent the views and opinions of your peers and the wider student body at a variety of forums. Be a member of the Student Council Communicate information about students’ rights Attend all Student Voice and SSFM (Staff Student Feedback Meetings) Lead and support on the End of Trimester Evaluations, Induction Survey and National Student Survey Liaise with members of your cohort to ensure your course is being delivered in line with learning and teaching quality and standards Promote the value of the Students’ Union and the other services provided by the University Play an active part in the Students’ Union to help make a positive change within our community Instigate discussions for events and activities, clubs and society ideas, etc. Raise any feedback from your peers around student experience to the appropriate staff and forums Refer any issues or grievances to the Students’ Union that may require action at a higher level To be a representative for and help to shape the University, driving and supporting the change and strategies within.

Student Union Executive Committee The Student Union Executive Committee is a team of students, elected by the student body, to represent the student voice. Elections are held annually in the autumn term, with both FE and HE students being able vote to elect students in every position. If you have any questions or are interested in running for any positions, do get in touch. Student Union Executive Committee Positions (FE) Vice President of Further Education Equality and Diversity Representative Sustainability Representative Wellbeing Representative LGBTQ+ Representative Ethnic Minorities Representative Disability Representative Student Union Executive Committee Positions (HE) Vice President of Higher Education Events and Societies Lead Marketing and Enterprise Lead Volunteers and Charities Lead Equality and Diversity Representative Sustainability Representative Wellbeing Representative LGBTQ+ Representative Ethnic Minorities Representative Disability Representative Mature Representative

Netball Play Netball - Tuesday League This team plays at a sheltered court - ideal for typical Plymouth weather! Find out more here. 'Find a Team' Resources See the local Life Netball resource - here. Netball Courts Click here to check out some netball courts available to hire. The Firebirds The Firebirds have teams for all ages and are a super friendly community. There are groups for under 8s, under 12s, under 16s and seniors (18+). Find them on Facebook here.

Student Charter 2025/26 The Student Charter is jointly developed and agreed between the Students' Union and the University, and has been updated for 2025/26. This Charter should be read alongside the Student Code of Conduct , which includes a commitment from students to uphold the spirit of the Student Charter. Arts University Plymouth students will... Take responsibility for understanding course requirements including deadlines, and expected attendance. Keep up to date with academic regulations such as academic misconduct. Attend sessions punctually and regularly with a respectful and professional attitude. Take responsibility for keeping up to date with electronic correspondence including emails. Familiarise ourselves with our financial commitment to our course. Treat fellow students and staff members, from all backgrounds, fairly with consideration and respect. Be environmentally considerate with regards to our studies (printing, electricity consumption, no littering) Be respectful towards University and Students’ Union spaces, equipment and resources. Be mindful of the etiquette needed when using study spaces such as the library Be respectful towards our local community and be environmentally conscious. Engage in opportunities to create positive change and provide honest feedback to aid future university development. Share our knowledge and opinions, participate in the AUP culture of open communication. Demonstrate and promote the University’s embedded values of kindness, fulfilment and authenticity. Arts University Plymouth will... Provide a high-quality learning and teaching experience. Provide safe and accessible learning environments. Ensure access to clear course requirements and marking criteria. Ensure assessment feedback is thorough, timely, constructive and honest. Ensure staff maintain a high level of professionalism. Ensure students are represented on University boards and committees and respond to your feedback appropriately. Actively encourage a culture of inclusivity, equality, respect, sustainability and social responsibility. Maintain a high standard of facilities, and access to industry standard resources. Ensure that students can access high quality support services, including financial support. Help students gain employability skills and prepare for their future, including opportunities in creative sectors and spaces. Actively promote students and their work. Demonstrate and promote the University’s embedded values of kindness, fulfilment and authenticity. Arts University Plymouth Students' Union will… Listen to the student voice and facilitate discussion between students and staff. Represent the student body at relevant boards, committees and working groups. Provide opportunities to undertake positions on the Student Union Executive Committee. Provide support and services for physical, sexual and mental health, free of charge or at discounted rates. Cultivate a vibrant community with varied events and activities in response to student feedback. Signpost students to relevant support, information, and facilities. Encourage involvement with the local community through volunteering and local projects. Make students aware of the promotions, activities, petitions and campaigns of the National Union of Students (NUS). Provide access to paid work opportunities and employment, such as the Student Ambassador role and commissions. Provide social opportunities for students, including the use of a dedicated Students’ Union space. Support students with setting up student-led clubs and societies.

Student Union Bursary "When I campaigned to be the Student Union President for 20/21, I had no idea what kind of year to expect. I knew how hard finance can be as a student and how much stress that can add, particularly during the festive period and at the start of a new year. It's clear that this year, more than ever, students are struggling financially and I believe that, as your President, I need to be doing everything I can to support you. That's why I'm excited to announce that the Student Union Bursary I pledged for in my manifesto is finally a reality. I have been working with Paige Nolan, Student Union Manager 2018-2022, and we have decided to dedicate £1,000 of this year's budget towards the bursary scheme to support you in your studies. This money will be spread across several students to support your requests and the application process will be determined by your feedback. For those of you who are Student Representatives, you'll know that at Student Voice and Staff Student Liaison Group meetings I always make sure to emphasise how important your voices are and, as this is something to support your studies, we wanted to know what you think. I created a Google Form where we asked for your thoughts on every aspect, including how much each request could be, how long applications should be open for and how students should be selected." - Harriet Moore, Student Union President 2020-2022 Who can apply? All current Higher Education (HE) students at Arts University Plymouth are eligible to apply. This includes Extended BA, Undergraduate and Masters students, and students who chose to study either part-time or full-time. What can you apply for? Applicants are to request an item or resource that will benefit their academic studies. This item is to be between the cost of £20 and £100. Unlike other bursary schemes, we want to give students the opportunity to get the resources they need, rather than directly giving money, to ensure that the bursary funding is used to support studies. This bursary scheme is in addition to the one already run by the Registry Team here at Arts University Plymouth, and our hope is that it can provide resources for a number of you that you'd otherwise not be able to access. How does the application process work? Once applications have closed, a panel from the Students’ Union will go through and assess all of the applications that were submitted. The panel will include the Student Union President, Student Union Manager and Vice-President for Higher Education (or alternative elected student). You will get an email by the end of February letting you know whether your application has been successful. You can apply via the Google Form at the bottom of this page. What do I need to include in my application? Your application will need to include basic personal information such as your full name (as stated on the AUP system) and your student ID number. We will also need details of the item you are requesting, your plans if successful and why you'd like this resource. Finally, you'll need to include some information about how you'd engage with a showcase relating to the Student Union Bursary, if you are successful. How did you decide the application process? The basic aspects of the Student Union Bursary were decided by the Student Union President 2020-2022, in discussion with the Student Union Manager 2018-2022 and University Registrar. The application process itself was decided by students through a feedback form that was sent out on December 3rd 2019. Through the 'We Want Your Thoughts' Google Form, it was decided that each applicant could apply for a product equivalent from the cost of £20, up to the cost of £100. Applicants will be chosen based on the quality of their application, and those chosen will be showcased via the Student Union Social Media and Student Union Website. Applications will be open for a total of 4 weeks. Why did you start the Student Union Bursary? The Student Union Bursary was something that the Student Union President 2020-2022 (Harriet Moore) campaigned for when she ran for the role. She knew how hard finance can be as a student and how much stress that can add, particularly during the festive period and at the start of a new year. It's clear that this year, more than ever, students are struggling financially and we believe that, as your Students’ Union, we need to be doing everything we can to support you. Applications are currently closed.

You Said, We Did 2021: "I feel disconnected from other Student Representatives." Student Union President 2020-2022, Harriet Moore, created a Student Representative Google Classroom this year to foster a community for Student Representatives, and ensure all the key information was in one easily accessible place. 2021: "I wish there were more places to showcase my artwork." During the 2021 renovation of the Students' Union, we include a space for this. There is now a dedicated wall in the SU which is updated regularly. You can submit by emailing studentsunion@aup.ac.uk with the subject line "Student Artwork Wall". 2020: "I wish there was a dedicated space for posters to advertise events, fundraisers, exhibitions, etc." During the renovation of the Students’ Union, we wanted to include a dedicated space for this, so created the “SU Community Board”. Online, we also have a Arts University Plymouth What’s On group on Facebook. This is a dedicated group for advertising events, fundraisers, exhibitions and more. 2020: "I wish the Students’ Union supported our academic studies more in some way." Student Union President 2020-2022, Harriet Moore, created the Student Union Bursary of £1,000 to directly support student projects. In addition to this, the SU commissioned new illustrations, typeface and branding from Milly Richards and Savannah Dale, graphic design work from Kieran Jasper, and Student Representative of the Month certificates from Esme Midwinter and Bhuvaneshvari Gunaskara. 2020: "I would like to see wider student representation." The Student Union Executive Committee has a wide range of student representatives, and in 2021 Student Union President 2020-2022, Harriet Moore, included a Ethnic Minorities Representative and a Disability Representative for both FE and HE. In 2022, Harriet introduced a Mature Representative for HE students too. 2020: "I wish there was better range of alcohol in the Student Union Bar." The Students’ Union Bar is now stocked with a full range of alcohol, with spirits instead of mixer cans, and we can buy in requests for those who come regularly. The plan is to continue expanding this, having a regular menu and specials for specific events, seasons, holidays and more. SUggestions welcome! 2019: "I wish there was more clubs and societies." Clubs and societies are run by students, supported by the Students' Union. The Student Union advertises the groups as much as possible over social media and at meetings, and supports any new groups in finding more members. Please get in touch if you are interested in starting a new group. 2019: "I wish events catered for a bigger variety of people." Over the last year, the Student Union Team have put on more catered events based on direct student feedback, such as a Student Work Fair and Drink and Draw events. There are events catered towards specific groups such as LGBTQ+ or Mature students too. Suggestions welcome! 2019: "I don’t use the Students’ Union space because it feels plain and unwelcoming." Student Union President 2020-2022, Harriet Moore, and Student Union Manager 2018-2022, Paige Nolan, worked over the summer of 2020 to completely renovate the Students’ Union to become a dual-purpose relaxed study space and funky SU Bar. 2019: "I wish the Student Union would work with more local businesses." Student Union Manager 2018-2022,Paige Nolan, has worked with many local businesses for giveaways and competitions. She and Marketing and Enterprise Lead 2018-2020, Harriet Moore, organised a range of ‘Pop-Up Shops’ and Fairs with local companies. 2019: "I wish there was an easier way to get in contact with members of the Student Union Team." You can find all of our paid and volunteer staff members on the ‘Meet The Team’ section of the Student Union website, and everyone can be contacted through our generic email address. 2019: "It would be great if there was music playing in the Students’ Union." Whilst we can't play music in the Students' Union all the time, a new speaker system has been fitted to improve listening when music is on. 2018: "The Students' Union is often cold." The Student Union have spoken to Estates and this issues has been reviewed; heating was adjusted to alleviate the issue. 2018: "I'm not sure where to find the Students' Union, or what they offer." We are working on more visibility via signage and other methods, including the SU website, which has been utilised to advertise the support and services we have on other, plus much more.

Fitness Gyms (with student discounts) in Plymouth: Nuffield Health - 20% student discount The Gym Group - student membership discount with code 'STUDENT' Pure Gym - up to 30% of student discount Plymouth Life Centre Plymouth life Centre offers a range of fitness classes including pilates, circuits and group cycling. Click here for more information. At Home Activities: You don't need to join a gym to get active! Here are some easy - and fun - ideas to get started: skipping with a rope park games (frisbee, catch, tag etc) hula hooping walks/weighted walks playing Just Dance

National Union of Students The National Union of Students of the United Kingdom (NUS) is a confederation of students' unions in the United Kingdom. Around 600 students' unions are affiliated, accounting for more than 95% of all higher and further education unions in the UK. Arts University Plymouth Students' Union is a member of the NUS, meaning you can benefit from their advice, support, campaigns and TOTUM discount and ID cards. TOTUM is the new name for the NUS extra student discount card and membership opens up a world of brilliant student discounts, offers and vouchers on your everyday essentials, must-have gear and luxury items. JOIN TOTUM TODAY!

Advisory Board Our Advisory Board is a group comprised of internal and external members, who support the strategic development work of the Students' Union. This is our formal governance body, who report directly to the University's Board of Governors. Our Advisory Board was set up following the Union Review commissioned by Coole Insight in May 2024. Pictured: Harriet Moore (Student Union Manager), Beth Evans (previous Student Union President), Steve Coole (Coole Insight Founder and Director) and Zahra Butt (Coole Insight Associate). Students' Union Advisory Board Members Sarah Redman Advisory Board Chair, Head of Engagement and Influence at Middlesex University Students’ Union Viki Starmore Postgraduate Student Member David Stock External Member, Interim Head of Governance at the University of Bristol Jasper Hutchings Student Union President, Advisory Board Deputy Chair Leon Clements Undergraduate Student Member Patrycja Popławska External Member, Communities Project Manager at Norwich Arts Students' Union Dr Robin Kirby Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University Representative Harriet Moore Student Union Manager Ryan Beasley External Member, Chief Executive Officer at Keele Students' Union

Physical Health Doctors Surgery, Prescriptions and Pharmacies The first thing we'd recommend you do when moving into a new property in Plymouth is registering with a doctors surgery (or checking you are still in the catchment area if you have moved from another Plymouth address). To check which doctors surgeries you are able to register at, we'd recommend using this NHS tool . As you might be aware, prescriptions are only free until you're 18, however, as a student you might be eligible for free prescriptions via the NHS Low Income Scheme, which you can find out more about here . When it comes to collecting your prescription in Plymouth, there are plenty of places you'd be able to pick it up, but Boots in Drakes Circus is one of the most accessible and close to campus too. Please do also make sure you've had your Meningitis ACWY vaccination before or shortly after coming to Plymouth, and keep up to date with flu vaccinations if you require them. We'd also recommend that you get to know key services available from Derriford Hospital and the Cumberland Centre , as you may need to use these in the event of injury or emergency. If you're concerned about your sexual health , the Students' Union provides free condoms freely available outside the Student Union Office, as well as pregnancy tests. Dentist Practices and Orthodontists Dentist practices are different to doctors, in that they don't require you to be within a catchment area, so we'd recommend signing up at your most convenient practice, whether that be local to your home or close to AUP, it's whatever works best for you. NHS dentist practices in the city may not always be taking on new patients, but you can search for all of the nearby practices (and orthodontists) on this map to find other local ones if your first choice has a waiting list. That being said, don't feel like you've got to suffer in pain - you can still see an emergency dentist even if you're not registered in the city. As for costs, again these might be fully or partially covered for you if you're eligible for a HC2 or HC3 certificate from the NHS. Gyms in Plymouth There are a wide range of gyms in Plymouth, all offering different student discounts and deals, including The Gym, PureGym, Nuffield Health and plenty of independent and specialist gyms too. If you live in the Mutley area, the closest gym to you is likely PureGym on Alexandra Road. If you're living in the city centre, then the closest gym is likely The Gym on Derry's Cross. If you're living closer to Union Street or in Devonport, your closest gym is likely MDL Fitness. Opticians There are plenty of different opticians across the city, including Vision Express, Specsavers, Boots and independent opticians too. Many of these offer regular deals for students that include free eye examinations or half-price prescriptions, so it's worth shopping around when you're due your next eye test. If you're eligible for the NHS Low Income Scheme mentioned before, this may also cover your opticians appointments and any prescriptions you might require.

Your Spaces T0.1 - Students' Union The Students' Union was completely renovated in the Summer of 2020 to create a more relaxed space, and updated each summer since. During the day, the space is perfect for studying, eating or hanging out with friends. At night, grab a drink from the SU Bar or come along to one of our events. Staff, students and local businesses or charities can book the Students' Union and/or SU Bar by emailing studentsunion@aup.ac.uk . Bookings for Union and student-focused events will take priority over other requests, and we recommend booking well in advance of your event as the space is booked regularly for bar nights, events and other activities, as well as by student groups and external companies. T0.2 - Student Union Office The Student Union Office is on the left, just by the Students' Union. You can either drop in at any time during office hours or email us to arrange a time to pop by, just make sure to check the door slider before you knock; if it reads "DO NOT DISTURB" we may be elsewhere on the campus or we might be talking to another student at the time. If we're not available, there's QR codes on the door to book a 1:1. Within the Student Union Office is the Student Union Food Bank, Merch Shop, free period products, and more. T0.4 - Quiet Contemplation Room The renovation of the Quiet Contemplation Room was done by your elected 2020-22 Wellbeing Representative (HE), Aaron Lovelock, who was voted in due to his manifesto which included the greatly needed improvement of this space. This space is for both mental health and prayer, and was transformed from a white cupboard-like space to a bright, uplifting space that fits the purpose and has a wealth of information to support students with everything from breast cancer awareness to mental health and disability support. You can use the space at any time, and there is a slider on the door to indicate when it is in use. New for 2025/26, following student feedback on how to improve the space, we have now purchased colouring books and fidget toys for the Quiet Contemplation Room.

Student Safety Scheme We are committed to keeping you safe - that's what the Student Safety Scheme is all about. Whether you're going back from a night out or simply out for a walk, we want to make sure you feel safe in the city. Equally, the Student Safety Scheme incorporates a body of work we are doing to ensure our venue, your Students' Union, is as safe as possible when you choose to spend the night with us. Personal Alarms A personal alarm is a small hand-held electronic device with the functionality to emit a loud siren-like alarming sound. It is activated either by a button, or a tag that, when pulled, sets the siren off. It is used to attract attention in order to scare off an assailant. We have these available, free of charge, from the Student Union Office. Anti-Spiking Devices (Bottles) Protect yourself and others from drink spiking. The Spikey Bottle Stopper fits inside the top of your bottle. The small hole through the centre is just the right size to slide a straw through. By closing the gap between the straw and edge of the bottle you are greatly reducing the possibility of your drink being spiked. We have these available, free of charge, from the Student Union Office. For the Spikey to be effective it must be fully inserted into the bottle. The straw should then be pushed through Spikey holding it close to the bottom of the straw. Once Spikey is inserted, it cannot be removed and is disposed of with the bottle. Anti-Spiking Devices (Cups and Glasses) StopTopps are versatile drink-protectors that have been designed to deter drink-spiking. They are single-use foils that can be put over a drink, and are suitable for any drinking vessel commonly found in pubs, festivals and clubs, including cans, bottles and glasses. We have these available, free of charge, from the Student Union Office. The foils are made from small (100mm) sheets of aluminium foil, through which you can insert a straw for easy drinking. The foils have food and hygiene approved glue on the underside so they stick securely on the top of any drinking vessel. This makes it difficult for anything to be added to your drink without your knowledge. Coffee with Cops Kristy Monk, our University Neighbourhood Community Officer, is available for informal chats with students and staff every month in partnership with the Students' Union. From talking about harassment, housing, and reporting a crime, to online safety and advice on an array of topics, contact us at studentsunion@aup.ac.uk for dates (or find these on our Events tab). Plymouth Taxi Services The majority of our students recommend Need-A-Cab and Taxi First as their preferred taxi companies in the city. There are lots of options, but we've included students top 5 recommendations below: Need-A-Cab: 01752 666222 Taxi First: 01752 222222 Plym Cars: 01752 667788 Tower Cabs Taxis Ltd: 01752 252525 Ridgecabs: 01752 477477

Online Communities The Students' Union Team have been working hard to create and develop online communities for you to keep in touch during the lockdown periods and hybrid learning of 2020/21. Please feel free to browse the groups below and join via Facebook. If you have any suggestions for what groups you'd like to see, do let us know!

Get in Touch Where to find us: Arts University Plymouth Students' Union, Arts University Plymouth, Tavistock Place, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AT studentsunion@aup.ac.uk 01752 203443 Name Email Subject Message Submit Thanks for submitting! Opening Hours Monday - Thursday: 9am - 5pm Friday: 9am - 4:30pm Saturday and Sunday: Closed Times vary based on events and holidays.