Plymouth University has thirteen partner colleges across the South West spanning from Bristol to Jersey; over 10,000 of our 30,000 students currently study at these locations. During the welcome weeks, UPSU usually has tables set up at these various campuses promoting our services and telling students what we are all about. Often this is placed in a hall alongside other companies or University services. While we may be in a position where we have a nice table cloth with our emblem on, it is a struggle to stand out and make ourselves heard. UPSU are the students own union so we should be the focal point of these events, dominating the conversation and giving an indication of all the great opportunities and services we provide and can offer.

Students studying on a Plymouth University course are automatically also a member or The University of Plymouth Students' Union. In an attempt to give those who study away from our main campuses the excellent opportunities and services students in Plymouth are able to take full advantage of, Rich Garratt, UPSU’s Deputy President decided that there was a need to go to students who study off campus rather than relying on them making the journey to us. He wrote a paper to the University which highlight the need for a mobile student union, including many quotes from the various college campuses about how they believed a mobile SU could make a real difference in their student’s engagement with UPSU and ultimately improve the student experience.

The University generously gave money for the venture and the ideas began to flow. It was essential for the camper to be as eye catching and recognisable as possible so when it’s seen people immediately know the student union is on campus. Also baring in mind the majority of the target audience, a vintage VW camper seemed the obvious choice. After weeks of researching and talking to students, LULU the mobile UPSU was born!

LULU has gone down a storm and students love her. She is original, innovative and has become a hub where services and advice for students can be accessed. The various services offered all have very informative flyers that can now be distributed upon request as well as providing a space where a student can feel secure and safe when speaking about issues they are encountering. The various partner colleges have also mentioned that they have a big demand for Plymouth University branded clothing, such as the hoodies we stock in U:Shop, we are now able to sell these out of the mobile UPSU.

As an additional benefit LULU the mobile UPSU camper is also used to help promote and raise awareness of entertainments and events programme. We also can support the issuing of NUS Extra cards.