Our Year (UPSU Impact Report 2012-2013)

:Our Year University of Plymouth Students’ Union

2012 2013

:Introduction How to transform lives through experience: 2012-13 has been a momentous year for UPSU, growing to just under ÂŁ5m turnover and delivering brand new services such as the Sports Centre and catering - we are doing even more for students.

We have developed a new strategy and structure, made new partnerships, recruited new staff, created new sabbatical officer roles and have even found a new way of reporting our impact.

Our strategy aims to deliver high performance. We set challenging goals with a view to making a positive impact on the lives of students at Plymouth University.

We are now 6 months into implementing the strategic plan. We have also carried out an organisational restructure to ensure we are fit for purpose to deliver on the new plan.

Using additional funding from Plymouth University we have developed staff support for Student Representation, Sports Volunteering and Raising and Giving (RAG).

We now train more student reps, facilitate more volunteering and help students raise more money (ÂŁ106,000 this year) than ever before.

This year we have ran campaigns to help students stay safe, be greener, de-stress and live healthier. We have improved our engagement, getting involved locally, nationally and internationally, championing students and ensuring their voices are heard.

We ended this mammoth year by throwing a fantastic Summer Ball, which this year sold out its 4,500 tickets in a record time of 3 days and was a massive success.

All in all it has been a huge year for change and, over the next few pages, we would like to celebrate the wonderful achievements of our staff and students. We want to show you how we’ve transformed the lives of Plymouth students through the experiences they have had with us- enjoy!

Jazz Singh-Khaira

95% of students would recommend UPSU to a friend

UPSU President

Greg White UPSU Chief Executive

:A word from the Sabbs VP ED WELFARE

DEPUTY PRESIDENT My last year as Deputy President has been a corker!

I have worked alongside the UPC Advisor and Partner College Course Reps to really engage with students who study at one of our many partner colleges. This exciting work even included acquiring a Mobile Students’ Union to visit our Partner Colleges in (in the form of an old VW Camper Van) and engaging over 1000 students.

I arranged a number of must-see trips out for our international students, to such places as the Plymouth Aquarium and the Eden Project; both of which received great feedback. I am also very proud to have launched the Partner College Varsity for the first year ever.

Rich Garratt

VP ACTIVITIES & COMMUNICATIONS My year as Activities and Communications officer has been an exciting one, from training 40 enthusiastic Fresher’s Angels to supporting over 70 societies. It has been a great year for societies and this year’s Societies and Volunteering Awards were extremely successful and displayed their hard work and achievements. In regards to communication, we have launched several new media outlets- UPSUtv and the interactive iPhone app that offers an easy access to an extensive variety of valuable Students’ Union services. So much has been achieved this year, thank you to the students and the SU team that were involved and made it happen.

Sarah Pook

This year has been a great year and so much has been done! I’ve had a wonderful time as Education and Welfare officer and have had to take on many challenges that have led to many successes. My key successes this year are training over half the course reps and working with them and the school reps, creating and running over five cross campus campaigns around welfare issues for students and helped facilitate the training of over 200 students on the Lead and Learn course.

The achievements have been many this year and I am grateful to all the students who have got involved and engaged in the work I have done!

Steph Driscoll

VP SPORTS The academic year 12-13 has been a busy one, especially with the successful transfer of the sports facilities. This means that all sport at Plymouth University now happens through UPSU. With collaborative working, Plymouth University Sports and Active Lifestyle Strategy has come to life. Alongside this, I have been working hard to promote sporting achievements, using twitter, UPSU:radio, Facebook, and email correspondence.

Working to keep Pitts Hall and obtain equivalent space for students has been a challenge but similar to our Varsity victory, we have made a strong impact to the future of sport here at Plymouth.

Dave de Beger

:Student Voice Referendum on the

New Strategic Plan

PASSED 863 TOTAL VOTES

778

votes for

85

votes against

COURSE REPS upsu supports

703

elected course reps

across 15 schools

11

SCHOOL REPS

100% “ 80% “

Of our school reps said that it is a,

worthwile experience being a school rep

“

Of our school reps said that they have,

a very good relationship with the Students’ Union

participated in

4

“

FOCUS GROUPS on Library loans & fee systems The learning space in the Beacon Thoughts on assessments & feedback

...

WHAT WE DO

“ ”

NSS

The National Student Survey

course rep training sessions held Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur “Being a school rep was a great experience and I had engagement increase adipiscinginelit. overall Nullareps vestibulum volutpat with the Uni. You feel like you’ve accomplished something for the trained dignissim. from Curabitur 2011/2012 lobortis lectus greater sed good and it is immensely satisfying” arcu pellentesque sed consectetur enim suscipit. Donec cursus mauris ut“Inulla felt I had the opportunity to get the student voice heard and things fringilla eget pretium sapien sodales. happened by doing so. I enjoyed meeting all the people usually I do Nulla pulvinar eu, fermentum necnot, libero.

I found it rewarding and beneficial in every sense.”

11.4%

2013Elections

S.S.T.A.R. Awards

saw a record breaking

Student & Staff Teaching & Representation Awards

3rd 376

26

Year Running +30%

Categories: - Most innovative use of teaching methods - Best placement support - Excellence in championing career development - Outstanding support staff (university) - Inspirational teaching

...

“ ”

12

unique voters

Age of Voters

increase on 2012

overall nominations faculty winners

5,947

overall winners

- Outstanding support staff (faculty and school based) - Best feedback - Most dedicated dissertation/project supervisor - Best course rep - Outstanding personal tutor - School rep of the year - Outstanding contribution to the student experience

“It was lovely to see academics, staff, and students getting the recognition and rewards they so often deserve but do not get” “The SSTAR award is such a great idea – and really makes us as University staff feel appreciated and that our hard work is really making a difference to students”

17-24 25-35 36-45 46-55 56-71 5020 542 153 49 16

31 Candidates 22 male age of oldest voter

71

9 female

71,301 votes cast

RUN

UPSU

Representation is at the core of what UPSU does. We empower and support students to challenge decisions that affect their experience within the University, the community and even nationally. The voice of Plymouth students has never been more important, which is why UPSU provides a range of opportunities that empower students to articulate themselves effectively to achieve the changes they want to see.

:Student Voice This year our incredible SABB team have put on

10

on two occasions across the year

Safe and Secure World Mental Heath Day Sexual Health Green Week Wellbeing Week LGBT History Month Justin Cup Student Noise Campaign De-Stress - Exam Chillout Green Streets

1st time

141

CAMPAIGNS Designed to help our students and the local community

181

Glowstick Aerobics

£180

raised for children in need

£219

raised for teenage cancer trust

pegs put on students drinks

100+

students recieved free massages

Telling them about safety on a night out

89

Whether it’s campaigning about tuition fees, environmental problems, academic concerns or raising awareness of an international issue, USPU offers support and advice to any student in running the campaigns that matter most to them.

Campaigns not only help to influence change but provide students with skills and experiences they can use in their future careers.

100

...

“ ”

Awarded to union’s which show dedication to sustainability and commitment to continual improvement of environmental practice.

4,000 lollipops

given to students after a night out to help reduce noise on the way home

Streets Cleaned

min

GOLD STANDARD

students screened for Cardiac Arrest over a day

65+

free icecreams given out in

50

students were tested for chlamydia

2nd time

1,402

KG

of waste electrical items recycled

“The opportunity to get tested on campus has made it so much easier and I love that we get a free goody bag and free pants” “Getting on a bouncy castle has made me feel five again, this is the best day”

:Societies 4807

this year UPSU have supported

81

SOCIETY MEMBERS

100+

EVENTS

including performances, concerts and charity events.

DIFFERENT SOCIETIES

20+

20

of these societies were established this year

SU

SOCIETY & VOLUNTEERING AWARDS

UPSU RADIO

100+

26 half colours 10 full colours nominations @Plymouth 9 main awards Aquarium

There are over 70 Societies ran and led by students.

They are a fantastic way to continue a particular interest or try something new. There are a wide variety of societies, some are hobby based others are academically focused. Joining a society allows you to meet others that share a similar interest, develop personal skills and enhance your cv.

Societies represented the students’ union nationally at a variety of events and conferences.

17 SHOWS

...

“ ”

990+ hours

“We were able to put on so many gigs and even work with the elderly people in the communities.

We have loved all the different opportunities we have had and are looking forward to even more fun next year” “It’s been a great year to be a UPSU Society!”

:Advice CASES THIS YEAR

x6

TOP THREE ISSUES

2,251 If each case lasted half an hour it would be the equivilant of traveling to the moon and back six times.

ACADEMIC ISSUES HOUSING ISSUES

Birth of

ADVICE ON TOUR

(no. of cases)

One (i)Cushion

REPORTED MISSING

7 trips made 21 hours on tour

A

1,222 engaged students

...

UPSU offer an advice service that is completely confidential and independent from the University. Our service is free and we give impartial advice on a range of issues, including: academic, finance, consumer, welfare, debt, housing, legal and much more.

755 441 401

STUDENT FUNDING

D V

I

“ ”

“An excellent service – advised + helped me enormously with my benefits + housing situation....invaluable service :)” “The stress that situations can cause is reduced considerably by the commitment, knowledge, skills and willingness to help that is provided”

C

#FIND THE i

E

:Volunteering

11,265 VOLUNTEER

HOURS

76%

of the hours were carried out in plymouth

RELAYS 1,745

VOLUNTEERING HOURS 52 Schools Engaged

And these are a few of the wonderful things our volunteers have achieved

1,822 Young People Engaged -That is the equivalent of-

165

FOOTBALL TEAMS

1,200 98 42

TREES PLANTED

VOLUNTEER PROJECTS STUDENT LED PROJETS

The UPSU Volunteer Department is here to develop and promote student volunteering in the local and student community and can help you find the perfect activity to enhance your studies; learn new skills; meet people and have fun; access free training; or do something completely different and challenging!

260

NETBALL TEAMS

It costs

£36

to adopt a monkey

...

“ ”

The total hours volunteered by students at the Monkey Sanctuary, when multiplied by minimun wage, equates to adopting

93

Monkeys for a year.

“Volunteering plays as much of a role to my University experience as the degree programme itself. It has enabled my confidence in skills learnt academically to grow and enables these skills to be used practically.”

“Seeing first-hand the high level of commitment and effort that the volunteering department put towards their projects makes me proud to be a student at Plymouth University.”

:Raise & Give HAVE RAISED

£106,000+

FOR CHARITY This fantastic figure was raised through an incredible: DIFFERENT EVENTS

107

7

we pushed students out of planes

That’s an event every 1.9 days!

we supported different charities

41

CUPCAKES & TACHES

1,523

we sent

10

students up a mountain

cupcakes sold

...

RAG organise outrageous events in order to raise money for both local and national charities and offer students unforgettable experiences. RAG gives students the opportunity to get involved in charity work and volunteering projects whilst giving them experience in event organising, project managing, leadership and teamwork; all of which will enhance employability in the future.

“ ”

261

moustaches grown for movember the same height as 11 Taylor Swifts

“I’ve hitchhiked to Morocco, Volunteered in Ghana and jumped out a plane, and the fact that I raised £1,795 doing so is just the cherry on top!... I’ve really enjoyed my time with RAG and now that I’m graduating I know that I have a strong C.V. and good talking point in any interview.”

:Off Campus Students SEEN

6000+

students

TRAINED

300+

course reps

CITY OF BRISTOL COLLEGE

trained across the partnership

Voted in the Students’ Union elections for the first time!

BRIDGEWATER COLLEGE

Face to Face :) CORNWALL COLLEGE Raised £163 for this years movember fundraising TRURO COLLEGE Set up two official UPSU societies, LGBT & The Student Association

Used the Advice on tour service to help with study issues.

We have visited the partner colleges

127

times

BICTON COLLEGE Hosted the first partner college varsity to 100+ spectators.

CITY COLLEGE PLYMOUTH Volunteered over 200 hours with UPSU’s volunteering team.

At UPSU we cater for our 10,000 students that study off campus.

With members of staff dedicated to engaging these students, we work in the partner colleges and other off campus sites, facilitating the representation system with course reps and enhancing the student voice. We also create opportunities to volunteer, fundraise, compete in sport, attend events, go on courses, access support, engage with societies and much more.

PARTNER COLLEGES Bicton Bridgwater City College City of Bristol Cornwall College DBS Exeter

Petroc Somerset South Devon Strode Truro Weymouth Highlands

:Sports & Fitness WE ARE RANKED

33rd in BUCS out of 154

RECREATION

British University & College Sports

Up 5 places on 2011-2012

SPORTS

33,733 gym visits

5,388

ACTIVATORS

1,507

STUDENTS ACTIVELY INVOLVED qualified coaches

23

female

0 0:00 0

30

39 16

male

student volunteers

2

new clubs established

UPSU offers students a number of ways to get involved in sport and activity. The Nancy Astor sports centre is situated in the heart of Plymouth University campus. It caters for a wide range of activities and classes from Badminton to Zumba with access to a four court sports hall, a forty station fitness suite, dance studio, squash courts and sports injury clinic.

Via Sport England funding Active Universities has succeeded

squash courts used

15,049

excercise classes attended

73

sports massages given -233spin classes taught

-144pilates classes taught

2,147 TOTAL MEMBERS

in getting non-active students active through a wide range of pay as you go sport, it also offers a number of coaching and volunteering opportunities and has led to a number of new sports clubs being created. For a more competitive edge there is the Intramural program which offers students the opportunity to get together with a group of friends and have fun playing sport in semi-competitive leagues. Finally there -

5,347 Sports Club Members 5,347 Sports Cards Sold 2,000+

UPSU are proud to support

60

Thats an average of 15 sports cards being sold every day.

hours of enquires handled by our reception team

Sports Clubs

Thats the same as 1,000 football matches

womens rugby

VARSITY

WIN

for the first time in 16 years

64 Half Colour 13 23 11 Full Colour £12,000+ 12 Main Awards

CHAMPIONS

30-16

SPORTS AWARDS presented

23

sports

teams

Raised for the Chestnut Appeal and The Motor Neurone Disease Association

- are the Sports clubs. They are all led by students for Plymouth University students. They certainly enhance the overall student experience by developing personal skills and a sense of community as well as representing Plymouth University on a regional and national level.

presented

...

“ ”

presented

“It was the first year that I’ve been at Uni that I got actively involved with the Varsity hype and went to watch other sports - not just football.

I have to say I loved it particularly all the clubs coming together and supporting each other.”

“Competitive yet fun, no commitment needed and overall simply a pleasurable weekly activity”

:Entertainment

64

Friday & Saturday Club Nights

ADMIT ONE

77,000+

SUMMER

nightclub attendees

FREE

6,400

BALL

free entries given away

2013

500+

SOLD OUT 4500 tickets

freshers wristbands sold

PERFORMING

TONIGHT Mad Dog Mcrea, Irwin Sparks, Hadouken, Rudimental, Danny Howard, Ed Solo & Darrison, A-Track, Jakwob, Vengaboys, NETSKY, Rusko, Jaguar Skills, Modestep, Enter Shikari, Katy B, You Me At Six UPSU Events provides students with the fantastic entertainment and experiences they deserve for all their study endeavours. Events and entertainment provided for the students include; live music, trips out, campus market, dancing lessons, nightclub events and the summer ball (as well as providing students with the support to host their own events at UPSU).

1 ticket sold every 58 seconds All made possible by our fantastic cleaning team

4 local DJs

We support: 60+ student DJs Who have cleaned

364,000

...

“ ”

square meters of the venue this year thats bigger than Central Park New York

“My first and last Ball and it was just as good as people said it would be. :D” “An amazing way to finish my 1st year at the uni, I didn’t want it to end. Was made incredible by You Me At Six being there too!!

Can’t wait for next year’s bring it on xxx”

:Eat & Drink SHOP

MEAL DEALS

Hoodies Sold

1,245

45,200 sold saving students

£81,360+ Pens Sold

3,689

Stamps Sold

3,860

Diaries & Wallplanners Sold

1,111

BAR we have won

BEST BAR NONE

GOLD

1 out of 7 winners in the country

The Best Bar None scheme seeks to demonstrate commitment to taking the welfare of students very seriously, and assisting in improving operational procedures in relation to the responsible retail of alcohol.

Open 245 days a year Employ 130+ student staff

THE KITCHEN

18,000+ 3,900+

breakfasts sold evening bar meals

Winner of Plymouth Best Bar None, Best Student Night,

Best Late Night Venue

1584 pints ale, 1280 pints cider

THE LOUNGE

33,000+ 12,000+ 2,700 coffees sold

UPSU’s commercial services are unique in the sense that they provide products specifically catered for students; products students can trust and which are distributed in a safe space. Furthermore, it is this social enterprise which provides the charity with the various revenue streams it requires in order to continue operating as a students’ union.

teas sold

jacket potatoes sold

-BEERFESTIVAL

54 Kegs

:Accomodation :NUS extra OUR ACCOMODATION TEAM HAVE HANDLED ENQUIRIES & VIEWINGS

300+

We have

20+

Local Landlords

We manage

170+

Student Rooms

We have a local partnership with Maintenance Businesses

5

We’ve helped 3 students leaving Uni find a replacement for their room, saving them

£2,700+ EACH! This year we set up our own letting agency; Plymouth Students’ Union Accommodation. Working together with local landlords and local maintenance businesses we have developed our portfolio over the year to include over 170 rooms. By being part of the Students’ Union we can make sure that no charges or hidden costs are passed on to our members.

WE HAVE

SOLD

9565

S

NUS CARD R

THIS YEA

1

NO. NUS have worked out that a card gives a student an average saving of (per year)

£521

seller in the country

That means that plymouth students have saved

£4,983,365 (almost £5 million this year)

UPSU works closely with The National Union of Students (NUS), a voluntary membership organisation which promotes, defends and extends the rights of students (whilst developing and championing strong students’ unions). In affiliation with NUS, UPSU facilitate the sale of NUS cards; giving students amazing discounts for products and services relevant to them.

:Communication Top 3 Traffic Referrals Sources:

WEB TRAFFIC

Unique visitors

120,000+ 250,000+

Visits

1. Facebook: 45,023 2. Google: 13,161 3. Plymouth Uni Website: 6,814

TOP 5 COUNTRY VISITS UK TOP 5 PAGE VISITS 1. Elections voting: 43,825 2. What’s on: 25,079 3. Sports Club list: 14,234 4. Election directory: 13,835 5. Survey page: 11,251

226,776

USA

6,096

France

790

India

766

UPSU APP

facebook fans

5,700+

twitter followers With 3,021 tweets sent

emails sent out this year

LAUNCHED

2

NO.

+

0 0 0 1

s

ad

lo wn

do

...

UPSU holds great significance on the quality of communication between the organisation and its members. Communication and feedback from students regarding past and potential events, products and services is vital to our success as a students’ union in providing for our members.

16,000+ 4,000,000+

1,771

Germany

SOCIAL MEDIA

“ ”

+ 0 0 n 0ssio s

6se

2cree s

“The app is just like UPSU, simply the best” “Fantastic app, all I need to know without leaving my bed, well done.”

0e+ws 0 0 2, n vi

students’ union facebook in the country

:Finance :Training :Staff LEAD & LEARN

INCOME

150+

TOTAL: £3,997,791

10

students attended the course throughout the year

We employ

81

members of permanent staff from the local area

x3

That’s 3 times the amount of British Prime Trading Other Block Grant Investments

£2,457,680 £2,80,901 £1,251,699 £ 7,511

Ministers that have been elected.

STAFF TRAINING

63% female 37% male

There have been:

EXPENDITURE TOTAL: £3,997,791

38

Different training courses.

95

Recorded training course attendances for permanent staff,

We employ

500+

student staff over our services

That works out as:

Trading Costs Support and services Governance costs Savings for future

£2,292,487 £1,538,646 £33,890 £ 132,768

800+ hours of training

Paying out

£440,000+

in student staff wages, supplying financial support during their studies.

:Conclusion :Future Goals 90,912,477 (the sum of the figures in this document)

So what does this all mean?

Numbers are a great way to show our impact but for us it is not about the numbers; it is about the people behind them and for every single figure we have included in this report we hope it has gone toward making the experiences and lives of students of Plymouth University better.

Why do we do all this?

Because for every single meal deal sold we were helping save over ÂŁ81,360+ in student pockets.

Because over 600 committee members of our 141 Clubs and Societies have developed leadership skills that will help them in their future career.

Because every inch of the Union cleaned has made it a comfortable place for students to hang out and unwind.

Because students are now represented at every level within the university, locally and nationally to get students a fair deal.

Because every one of the 11,265 hours spent volunteering has given students valuable experience and helped them find something they love doing.

Because thousands of lifelong friendships are formed at events in our bars and nightclubs, they have enjoyed 245 evenings together in a safe environment.

Because 2,251 students got the help they needed at our Advice Centre and has got them through a tough time.

So whether it was a coffee served to a student revising for an exam or an award they received at one of our ceremonies we hope and will strive to continue to make a difference to the lives of students at Plymouth University.

Jazz Singh-Khaira UPSU President

Future Goals One of our great strengths is the annual change to our elected student leadership, bringing new ideas and reflecting the current priorities of our membership.

In 2013-14 students will remain at the centre of what we do. Our research capacity will be developed, including improved customer feedback systems, so we better understand student needs.

We will further develop participation across our diverse membership, strengthen support for student societies and sports clubs and further improve our social enterprises, ensuring they provide great value services that students love.

To achieve this we will invest in our buildings, our technology and in training our staff.

Greg White UPSU Chief Executive

to transform lives through experience UPSU is a registered charity in England & Wales No.1143614