SU Buddy Scheme
Many of you may be finding University life daunting. Knowing where you can meet new people, exploring campus, and settling in can be challenging and overwhelming. The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone.
If you’re looking for someone to meet for a coffee, to try a new sporting or cultural activity with or just to have a chat with (in person or virtually), then sign up as a participant in the UPSU Buddy Scheme. Buddies are also available
to support you through your first social or session within a club or society and can be accessed throughout the University year.
The Buddy Scheme is designed to be very informal – it’s just a chance to meet someone new, boost your wellbeing and combat loneliness through the support offered by a student just like you.
Be Active, Reduce Stress (B.A.R.S)
Be Active, Reduce Stress (BARS) is a wellbeing referral project that utilises peer support and activity to assist in supporting improve students with low level mental health.
Referrals come from the University of Plymouth wellbeing services, personal tutors and Residence Assistants to ensure only students with low level mental health such as depression, loneliness, anxiety, overwhelmed etc utilise the
project.
Once the student and buddy are paired they are able to access the Give It A Go activity timetable for 6 weeks for free. GIAG is a weekly timetable of low level activities on or close to campus such as; Yoga, Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton,
Football, Swimming that would usually cost £3.50 per session. The buddy will know all the information for each session and will offer to attend with the student to reduce stress and anxiety levels. As a group of students and buddies
we will also organise group activities such as; walking around the Hoe, pottery painting, jump, stand up paddleboarding and more to encourage students to explore their University city and partake in opportunities they would not usually
access.