Unite Students Accommodation Matters

S09E06: Wellbeing and the class of 2025

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 08:36:21 +0100

With a new academic year just weeks away, we’re looking at the class of 2025 – and the factors that influence their wellbeing.

Our expert panel discusses how key factors like part-time work, sense of community, loneliness and settling into a new city can impact student wellbeing, and what universities and accommodation providers can do to help new students settle into their new city.

Join host Jenny Shaw and this month’s expert panel:

Nick Hillman, Director at the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI)
Rebecca O’Hare, Assistant Director for Residence Life & Accommodation Office at University of Leeds
Becca Hayhurst, Head of Resident Experience at Unite Students

Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector's key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This episode was recorded on 6th August 2025 and produced by Ed Palmer.

If you’d like to share feedback on the 2025 Applicant Index report with Unite Students, please get in touch at hello@unitestudents.com.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

S09E05: Joint venture partnerships

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 09:22:19 +0100

They’ve made headlines and opened up a whole new opportunity for the future of student accommodation… so, in this very special episode of Accommodation Matters, we’re exploring joint venture (JV) partnerships.

This half-hour episode will tell you everything you need to know about JVs – why universities are choosing JVs, the benefits to universities, students and the local community, and the challenges of implementation.

Join host Jenny Shaw and this month’s expert panel:

Joe Lister, Chief Executive at Unite Students
Jane Robinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Engagement and Place at Newcastle University
Dr Stephen Bloye, Director of Campus Services at Manchester Metropolitan University

If you’d like to discuss joint venture opportunities with Unite Students, please get in touch with Moray Notman (moray.notman@unitestudents.com).

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

S09E04: Refurbishments: Future-proofing student accommodation

Thu, 22 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Every building needs a refresh at some point. Whether it’s adapting amenity spaces to meet changing student needs or refreshing the look of bedrooms, a refurbishment can unlock significant improvements in student and employee satisfaction. But balancing budgets against quality and student expectations is easier said than done.

So, this month’s episode is a deep dive into refurbishments – how to do them right, and their hidden benefits. The conversation covers:

When to refurbish a property
How to deliver in-occupancy refurbishments
How refurbishments drive value for money
Making your refurbished buildings more sustainable
How to future-proof a refurbishment

Hosted as ever by the inimitable Jenny Shaw, this month’s expert panel includes:

Nikki Todd, Managing Director at Fortis Vision
Karan Khanna, Chief Operating Officer at Unite Students
Roscoe Chubb, Head of Asset & Fund Management at Unite Students

Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This episode was recorded on 13th and 14th May 2025 and produced by Ed Palmer.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

Resources

Want to see what the refurbished properties mentioned in the episode look like? Check them out on our student website:

Follow Unite Students on LinkedIn to hear about all the latest refurbishment and development updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unite-group-plc/

S09E03: What does student satisfaction look like in 2025?

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 08:40:54 +0100

In an increasingly competitive student market, understanding the drivers of student satisfaction has never been more important. This month, we’re getting into what student satisfaction looks like in 2025.

Hosted by Jenny Shaw, our panel covers what satisfaction surveys tell us about student needs, the role of quality, wellbeing and value for money, and what might drive satisfaction for Generation Alpha when they arrive at university in a few years.

This month’s expert panel includes:

Sarah Ead, Head of Insight at Global Student Living
James Greenwood, Head of Residential Life at London School of Economics and Political Science
Paul Watson, Group Operations Director at Unite Students

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

S09E02: Compassion - Student wellbeing’s newest buzzword

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000

‘Compassion’ is the word of the moment in the HE sector. But why, and what does that look like in practice?

Join host Jenny Shaw and an expert panel for a deep dive into how compassion is shaping new approaches across UK Higher Education, in student support and beyond.

This lively discussion covers how compassionate communications can enhance the student experience, how to integrate compassion into your organisation’s policies and procedures, and examples of this in practice across accommodation and university functions.

Our expert panel includes:

Dr Kathryn Waddington, Emeritus Fellow in Psychology at University of Westminster
Julia Hunt, Mental Health Clinical Lead at University of Central Lancashire
Katy Lemmon, Accommodation Manager at University of Liverpool
Becca Hayhurst, Head of Resident Experience at Unite Students

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

Resources

The Higher Education Mental Health Implementation Taskforce (HEMHIT)’s Compassionate Communication Statement is available to download from Nottingham Trent University’s website: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0030/2526771/Compassionate-Communication-Statement.pdf

Read more about Unite Students’ CARE service philosophy on our website: https://www.unitegroup.com/articles/student-support-resident-experience

Find out more about Unite Students’ Support to Stay framework on our website: https://www.unitegroup.com/articles/student-support-to-stay-unite-students

Learn more about the Nurture-U and Compassionate Campus initiatives at the Nurture-U website: www.nurtureuniversity.co.uk

Dr Kathryn Waddington is currently writing a book called 'How to be a Compassionate Academic' and would love to hear stories from listeners where compassion has been brought to life through small acts of kindness. These will be used with permission and anonymised in the book, for more details please email Kathryn at: k.waddington@westminster.ac.uk with 'BOOK' in the subject line.

S09E01: Designing community in student accommodation

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:12:18 +0000

Season 9 launches with something a little bit different. To celebrate four years of Accommodation Matters, we took the show on the road to GSL Live and recorded a live episode!

Join host Jenny Shaw for a lively panel discussion about designing community within student accommodation – including how the physical design can support community-building, the role of accommodation teams, whether themed accommodation works, and how to measure the success of community-building events.

Our panel includes:

Jo Blair, Head of Specification at Unite Students
Paul Mercer, Director at Kaplan Living
Vanya Campbell, Engagement Manager at the University of Essex

Thanks to Hannah Colbran and Sarah Ead at Global Student Living for helping to organise the session, to James King for providing technical assistance on the day, and to our GSL Live audience.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

Resources

Read more about the support that Unite Students offers on our website: https://www.unitegroup.com/articles/student-support-resident-experience

Bonus episode: What we know about the Class of 2024

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 07:00:00 +0100

In July, Unite Students launched the 2024 Applicant Index: an in-depth look at the needs and concerns of this year’s university applicants.

We recorded an episode about the findings at the time – now, as these applicants take up their places at university, we’re sharing our full interview with Nick Hillman, Director at the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) to give you even more insights into your first-year students.

Host Jenny Shaw and Nick get into topics including:

Trends we’re seeing across three years of Applicant Index data
How this year’s applicants feel about finance
The impact of socioeconomic disparity on applicant confidence
The future of Higher Education

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

Resources

You can download the reports mentioned in this episode from Unite Students’ website, including:

Applicant Index 2024 [July 2024]
Living Black at University [February 2022]

You can download the latest HEPI/Advance HE Student Academic Experience Survey from HEPI’s website. [June 2024]

You can watch the HEPI/Unite Students launch day webinar on the Applicant Index on YouTube. [July 2024]

On 17th October, we’re recording our first ever live episode of Accommodation Matters at the GSL Live conference! If you’d like to join us, you can get tickets from the GSL Live website – we’d love to see you there.

S08E07: Innovations and inspiration for 2024/25

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:46:43 +0100

The Higher Education sector is full of ideas for improving student life. Last year, we asked our listeners to get in touch with what ideas and initiatives they’d launched in their accommodation – and our listeners loved it. So we’re doing it all over again.

Join host Jen Steadman for this month’s episode of Accommodation Matters, where you’ll hear about initiatives to promote inclusion, safety and sustainability. Among other ideas, we look at a new app that's helping to build student communities, a student safety campaign that's brought together nine universities, and a podcast by and for students to support with belonging.

Our contributors include:

Pete Collins, Partnership and Engagement Manager at University of Birmingham
Ellie Drave, Product Manager at Unite Students
James Greenwood, Head of Residential Life at London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Laura Burge, Senior Manager for Gender Equity, Respect and Inclusion at Deakin University
Milana, Social Media Co-ordinator at the Unite Foundation
Helen Strachan, Sustainability Manager at Unite Students
Chloe Lloyd, Environment Manager at Unite Students

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

Resources

Download the Unite Students Applicant Index from the Unite Students website.

Learn more about LSE’s consent education campaign from their Consent video on YouTube.

Read more about the Respect at Uni campaign from Deakin University’s website.

Find out about the Unite Foundation’s scholarship, and download their podcast, from their website This Is Us At Uni – and the All Of Us community for estranged and care-experienced students at www.allofus.uk.

Special episode: The Student Accommodation Podcast Summit

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 07:15:00 +0100

🎧 The special Student Accommodation Podcast Summit Episode is out now!

Accommodation Matters host Jenny Shaw recently collaborated with experts Sarah Canning and Deenie Lee (The Property Marketing Strategists), Dan Smith (Student Housing Consultancy), Laura Bosworth (REAL), Richard Stott (Kexgill Group) and Rebecca O'Hare (University of Leeds) to record a special episode discussing crucial issues in student accommodation.

This top team of professionals share expert views on key topics, including:

⚪ PBSA vs. HMOs: Is affordability in student accommodation a self-perpetuating issue created by PBSA?

⚪ The evolution of PBSA rooms: Have they truly evolved to meet student needs?

⚪ Mental health challenges: Is the sector prepared for upcoming issues?

⚪ Understanding changing demographics and adapting services and products accordingly

⚪ Staffing costs and rent: Should increasing staff costs impact rent?

⚪ Undervaluing PBSA: Why are we still focused on rooms rather than the whole package?

⚪ Data, research, and market gaps: How data can reveal opportunities

⚪ Technology's influence on the future of accommodation

⚪ Future demand for flexibility from students

⚪ Intersectionality and inclusion: Implications for future accommodation options

It's a conversation you definitely don't want to miss.

If you enjoyed the episode, do check out our collaborators’ podcasts – Housed: The Shared Living Podcast (Sarah, Deenie and Dan), Get Real About Marketing (Laura) and Free Food, Free Drinks (Rebecca), available from all good podcast platforms.

*****

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

S08E06: What we know about 2024’s university applicants

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Every year, Unite Students surveys university applicants for our Applicant Index. And every year, we’re surprised by the differences between applicant cohorts. If you want to be prepared for the first year students who will arrive into your city in the autumn, you won’t want to miss this episode – or the report that spawned it.

Hosted by Jenny Shaw (Higher Education External Engagement Director at Unite Students), our expert panel looks at the ever-shifting impact of the pandemic on this year’s incoming student cohort, how they’re feeling about their finances ahead of coming to university, the specific needs of working class and disabled applicants, and what this will all mean in practical terms for universities and student accommodation providers.

Our panel includes:

Dr Michelle Morgan, Dean of Students at University of East London
Professor Tony Moss, Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience at London South Bank University
Will White, Higher Education Engagement Director at Unite Students

We’re also joined by special guest Nick Hillman, Director of HEPI, who shares his reflections on this year’s findings and some of the stand-out stats that caught his attention.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

Resources

The following reports referenced in the episode can all be downloaded from the Unite Students website:

The Unite Students 2024 Applicant Index [July 2024]
Improving the transition into Higher Education [May 2024]
Living Black at University [February 2022]

You can also learn more about our Resident Ambassadors initiative from the Unite Students website. [April 2024]

Jim Dickinson’s piece about duty of candour within Higher Education can be found on Wonkhe’s website. [July 2024]

HEPI / Advance HE’s Student Academic Experience Survey 2024 report can be downloaded from HEPI’s website. [June 2024]

The Unite Students / HEPI webinar on the Applicant Index 2024 can also be viewed on HEPI’s website. [July 2024]

Paul Bolton and Joe Lewis’s ‘Degree apprenticeships’ briefing can be downloaded from the House of Commons library. [May 2024]

S08E05: What the 2024 General Election means for student accommodation

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Political decisions can reshape the whole Higher Education landscape – so no doubt you’re keeping an eye on the 2024 General Election campaign. But what does it mean for Higher Education and student accommodation? In this episode, we’ve enlisted an expert panel and host Jenny Shaw to tell us just that.

Our guests look at party manifestos, how universities should respond to these commitments (or lack of), what we might expect from further devolution and HE’s relationship with Further Education, and – most importantly – what students, Higher Education and the property sector need from an incoming administration.

If you want to be prepared for what’s in store over the next five years, you won’t want to miss this episode. Our panellists include:

George Blake, Policy and Networks Officer at London Higher
Dani Payne, Senior Researcher at Social Market Foundation
Ian Fletcher, Director of Policy at the British Property Foundation
Megan Haskins, Policy and Research Manager at University College London Students’ Union

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

Resources

Manifestos by the Labour Party, Conservative and Unionist Party and Liberal Democrats are available to download from their respective party websites. [June 2024]

The National Student Survey (NSS) 2024 will be published on Wednesday 10th July 2024 on the Office for Students (OfS) website. 2023’s NSS data is available on the OfS website.

The Student Academic Experience Survey 2024 report can be downloaded from HEPI’s website.

‘Four futures: Shaping the future of higher education in England’ by Professor Sir Chris Husbands can also be downloaded from the HEPI website. [June 2024]

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan can be downloaded from the NHS England website. [June 2023]

The Centre for Cities’ ‘Climbing the Summit: Big cities in the UK and the G7’ report can be downloaded from the Centre for Cities website. [June 2024]

Information about the Australia Universities Accord can be found on the Australian Government Department of Education website. [Last updated June 2024]

The Russell Group Students’ Unions ‘Student Cost of Living Report’ can be downloaded from their website. [March 2023]

S08E04: Emerging trends in student mental health

Tue, 14 May 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Content note: This episode contains discussion of sensitive topics including suicide. If you need support with the topics discussed in this episode, there are organisations such as Mind (0300 123 3393), Samaritans (116 123) or Student Minds that can help you in complete confidence.

More and more students are seeking support for their mental health, and in response, we’ve seen a whole host of new initiatives to better meet that need. The creation of a Higher Education Student Support Champion. The Higher Education Mental Health Implementation Taskforce. A suite of guidance on suicide-safer universities. An innovative scheme in which Manchester’s universities collaborate with the NHS to improve student mental health outcomes.

But what are these initiatives, where have they come from and what do student accommodation teams need to know? We’re getting into it in this month’s episode of Accommodation Matters.

Our expert guests aren’t just talking about the work that’s happening to support student mental health – they’re leading the work themselves. Hosted by Jenny Shaw, this month’s panel includes:

Professor Edward Peck, Vice Chancellor at Nottingham Trent University and the Government’s Higher Education Student Support Champion for England
Professor Jo Smith OBE, Emeritus Professor in Early Intervention and Psychosis at University of Worcester
Dr Simon Merrywest, Director for the Student Experience at University of Manchester

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

Resources

You can find out more about the role of the Higher Education Student Support Champion here, and the Higher Education Mental Health Implementation Taskforce here.

The University Mental Health Charter can be found on Student Minds’ website.

Universities UK’s Suicide-safer Universities guidance document can be downloaded here.

Read more about the Greater Manchester Universities Mental Health Service here.

Learn more about R;pple’s suicide prevention technology from their website.

A number of mental health and suicide awareness charities are referenced during the episode – we have listed links to their websites below:

S08E03: How do we solve the student accommodation supply problem?

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 07:00:00 +0100

It’s the episode you’ve been waiting for…

An explosion in student numbers. A contraction in houses of multiple occupancy (HMO). Challenges to building new developments. Any one of these could have created a PBSA supply issue – but together, they’ve created a crisis in many cities.

Our expert panel looks at how this came about, the ways in which this is playing out in some of those cities, what the data is telling us for a longer term picture and - most importantly - some of the potential solutions to this issue.

Hosted by Jenny Shaw, this month’s panel includes:

Sarah Jones, Partner at Cushman & Wakefield
Iain Garfield, Director of Estates and Facilities at Newcastle University
Simon Jones, Group HE Director at Unite Students
Eleanor Whitford Kelly, Market Intelligence Manager at Unite Students

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

Resources

Cushman & Wakefield’s UK Student Accommodation Report for 2023 is available to download from their website.

Unipol’s 2023 Ten Cities Rent Survey can be downloaded from the Unipol website.

UCAS’ 2024 cycle applicant figures can be found on the UCAS website.

More information about the joint venture between Unite Students and Newcastle University is available on Unite Students’ website.

S08E02: How can Higher Education end student loneliness?

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 07:00:00 +0000

The 2023 Student Academic Experience Survey showed that 1 in 4 students feels lonely most or all of the time – and that number is growing. With loneliness carrying the same health risks as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and having a substantial impact on mental health, academic performance and student retention, this month we’re asking: how can Higher Education end student loneliness?

Our expert panel discusses which student groups are most at risk of loneliness (and when), what support exists for students who are lonely, how to help students integrate into the student community, and how the sector can mitigate contributing factors such as the cost of living crisis and proximity to campus.

Host Jen Steadman, Senior HE Communications Executive at Unite Students, also shares her personal experience of loneliness at university.

This month’s panel includes:

Nicola Frampton, Insight Manager at Student Minds
Sarah Djuric, Residence Life Manager at the University of Leeds
Jenny Dalzell, Regional Student Support Manager at Unite Students

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

Resources

Student Minds’ Student Space website provides students with support information, advice and tailored resources, as well as signposting to university services.

Wonkhe’s student loneliness research, ‘Only the Lonely’, is available to download here. [2019]

Unite Students’ Applicant Index, Living Black at University and neurodivergence reports are all available from the Research section of the Unite Group website. [2022/2023]

The Student Academic Experience Survey can be found at HEPI’s website. [2023]

Information about Student Minds’ research with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is available on the gov.uk website. [2023]

You can learn more about Unite Students’ Resident Ambassador programme on the Unite Group website. [2023]

S08E01: What the Building Safety Act means for student accommodation

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Grenfell Tower (2017). The Cube student accommodation fire, Bolton (2019). Two disasters that reshaped the landscape for building safety in student accommodation, and led to stringent new legislation in the Building Safety Act.

But what does the Building Safety Act actually mean for purpose-built student accommodation? How can we trust that students are safe in our buildings? And how can you make sure you’re compliant with the regulations? We’ve got you covered with our 40 minute deep-dive into the issue.

Our expert panel discusses the benefits and challenges thrown up by the Act, the practical stages of compliance, who’s accountable for what, what it all means for students, and what the future holds for building safety.

Hosted by Jenny Shaw, HE External Engagement Director at Unite Students, the panel includes:

Ian Fletcher, Director of Policy at British Property Federation (BPF)
Ian Bamforth, Head of Estates & Facilities at Unite Students
Abi Yeo, Performance Quality & Systems Manager at Unite Students

Special guest Jo Blair, Head of Quality & Standards at Unite Students, also shares how we put together a resident engagement strategy to keep 70,000 students informed about building safety, as required by the Act. All of Unite Students' buildings are safe to live in.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

Resources

The British Property Federation’s Building Safety video series can be found at their YouTube channel.

Unipol are running an in-person training event called ‘Getting up to speed with the Building Safety Act’ on Thursday 29th February – find out more from the Unipol website.

Unite Students’ Home Charter is available on our student website, along with more information about the Building Safety Act and our resident engagement strategy.

S07E03: The future of social impact in Higher Education

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 09:00:17 +0000

It’s the final episode in our series on the future of sustainability in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)! The festive season is a season of giving, and so this time we’re looking at social impact – giving back to local communities by making a positive difference.

Our guests dive into their own social impact initiatives, as well as student engagement, their experiences of ‘town and gown’ tensions, and what the future might look for social impact within Higher Education and PBSA.

Hosted by Jen Steadman, Higher Education Comms Executive at Unite Students, this episode’s guests include:

Kimberly Eyre, Residential Life Manager at Queen Mary University of London
Mike Leonard, Residential Property Manager at the University of Leeds
Rebecca Rymsza, Head of Brand and Communications at the Unite Foundation
Ivy Yarrow, Social Impact Manager at Unite Students

Special guest Darren Way, founder of youth intervention charity Streets of Growth, also joins us to talk about how the charity has benefited from finding a stable home at Unite Students’ Hayloft Point property in Aldgate, London.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

Resources

The 2023 Applicant Index report is available to download now from the Unite Students website.

To find out more about the Unite Foundation's scholarship project, please visit the Foundation website; the All of Us community for care-experienced and estranged students can be found here.

2021/22 report 'The Economic and Social Impact of Queen Mary University of London' can be downloaded from the Queen Mary university website.

You can learn more about the North Hill Well Wood project, run by the University of Leeds and Unite Students, here.

For more information on Streets of Growth, visit their website now.

S07E02: The future of race and inclusion in student accommodation

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Hot off the launch of the new Living Black at University Commission report, we’re continuing our focus on the future of sustainability within purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) with this month’s episode on race and inclusion in student accommodation.

With Black students being the UK’s fastest-growing student demographic, greater inclusion of Black students is increasingly important for those who own and operate purpose-built student accommodation.

Our guests explore the impact of student accommodation on the awarding gap, what steps the purpose-built student accommodation sector has made towards greater race equity since Living Black at University was published in February 2022, and how universities and accommodation providers can make further strides towards race equity in future.

Hosted by Jenny Shaw, HE External Engagement Director at Unite Students, this episode’s guests include:

tara leach, Senior Advisor (Equality Charters) at Advance HE
Rebecca O’Hare, Interim Deputy Director of Residential Services at University of Leeds
Sam Kingsley, Head of Belonging and Engagement at Unite Students

Jenny also shares some interview clips from March’s Living Black at University Conference, speaking to Andy Owusu, former Office for Students Mental Health Project Officer for Black Students at London South Bank University, and Osaro Otobo, Consultant at Halpin Partnership and project manager on the original Living Black at University report.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

Resources

The Living Black at University Commission report, published on 14th November 2023, is available for download now: https://www.unitegroup.com/living-black-commission-report

The original Living Black at University report, published in February 2022, can be found at the Unite Group website: https://www.unitegroup.com/living-black-at-university

More information on Advance HE’s Athena SWAN and Race Equality Charters is available at the Advance HE website: https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/charters

‘Meeting the needs of neurodivergent students’, a March 2023 report on neurodivergent students’ needs in student accommodation, can be downloaded from the Unite Group website: https://www.unitegroup.com/neurodivergent-students-report

The Unite Students Commission on Living Black at University website, featuring downloadable Commission resources, can be found here: https://www.unitegroup.com/unite-students-commission-on-living-black-at-university

S07E01.5: What does sustainable construction of student accommodation look like?

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Unite Students has committed to becoming a net-zero carbon organisation by 2030 – with new developments in particular being targeted for a reduction in carbon. But what does a sustainable new development look like in practice right now, what solutions are there to key sources of embodied carbon, and what are some of the challenges being faced when it comes to building sustainable new developments?

Building on our recent ‘The future of sustainability in student accommodation’ episode of Accommodation Matters, we’re now sharing our full interview with Nicholas Pigula, Sustainability Construction Manager at Unite Students.

Hosted by Jenny Shaw, HE External Engagement Director at Unite Students, tune in now to find out:

What we’re currently focusing on to create more sustainable buildings
How we’re targeting reductions in embodied carbon
His favourite examples of net-zero developments
What sustainable features have been built into our newest property, Nottingham’s Morriss House
What we’re focusing on next in our drive for net-zero

Our Sustainable Construction Framework is coming soon – sign up here to be updated when it’s live.

S07E01: The future of environmental sustainability in student accommodation

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 12:08:09 +0100

Accommodation Matters is back for its seventh series! For this series, we’re focusing on the future of sustainability within purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).

First up is what most people would think of when hearing the word ‘sustainability’ – environmental sustainability. Our panel of experts explores how to tackle net-zero in PBSA, engaging students on sustainability within accommodation, how sustainable accommodation can improve the student experience, the possibilities of AI and much more.

Hosted by Jenny Shaw, HE External Engagement Director at Unite Students, this episode’s guests include:

Simon Hooton, Director at Ash Futures
Sarah Canning, Co-Founder at The Property Marketing Strategists
James Tiernan, Head of Sustainability at Unite Students

We’re also joined by special guest Nicholas Pigula, Sustainability Construction Manager at Unite Students, who shares some insights on the challenges of sustainable construction and some of the ways that Unite Students are approaching this on new developments.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

S06E07: Innovations and inspiration for 2023/24

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 08:34:40 +0100

With a new academic year rapidly approaching, we wanted to know what new and exciting initiatives are being rolled out in Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) around the UK – so we asked you, our listeners, to submit their own contributions about what they’re doing differently for the 2023/24 academic year.

This month, we’re sharing your ideas and innovations for the year ahead to inspire our audience, including enhanced student arrival comms, new initiatives to better support Black and care-experienced students throughout the year, and using names as a tool to deliver an elevated student experience in accommodation.

Hosted by Jen Steadman, Higher Education Comms Executive at Unite Students, this episode’s guests include:

Laura Maclean, Head of Accommodation and Customer Services at University of Kent
Shauna Scott, Communications Manager at University College London
Jo Blair, Head of Quality and Standards at Unite Students
Paula Goodband, Senior Residential Experience Manager for Wellbeing at University of Nottingham
Tobi Adeleke, Intern at Unite Students
Nanu Viatoshir, Intern at Unite Students

Resources

The Living Black at University research report is available to download from the Unite Students website. [February 2022]

The Unite Foundation website can be found here.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

S06E06: What do we know about the class of 2023?

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 09:08:03 +0100

In September, a new cohort of students will be walking through the doors of universities up and down the UK. So, in this month’s episode of Accommodation Matters, we’re looking at what we’ve learned about this cohort through our 2023 Applicant Index research, what universities are doing to accommodate and support these students when they arrive at university, and some of the challenges that might come with that – such as mental health, finances and building an inclusive community for LGBTQ+ and international student populations.

Hosted by Jenny Shaw, HE External Engagement Director at Unite Students, this episode’s guests include:

Tony Moss, Pro Vice Chancellor (Education & Student Experience) at London South Bank University
Rose Stephenson, Director of Policy & Advocacy at HEPI
James Greenwood, Head of Residential Life at London School of Economics, Chair of Residence Life at CUBO, and Global Initiatives Chair Elect for ACUHO-I

Resources

Unite Students’ 2023 Applicant Index is available to download from the Unite Students website. [July 2023]

HEPI’s latest Student Academic Experience Survey is available to download from the HEPI website. [June 2023]

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

S06E05: Supporting students through the cost of living crisis

Sun, 25 Jun 2023 21:00:00 +0100

Last year’s cost of living episode of Accommodation Matters proved to be the most popular yet – but more than a year on, how has the cost of living crisis moved on, and what does the cost of living picture look like for students in 2023?

Our expert panel explores a wide range of talking points including food inflation, student maintenance loans, stigmas around seeking help with financial issues, challenges with student accommodation, and what university and accommodation teams can do (and are doing) to support students at this tough time.

Hosted by Jenny Shaw, HE External Engagement Director at Unite Students, this episode’s guests include:

Vivi Friedgut, CEO at Blackbullion
Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor of Wonkhe and host of the Wonkhe Show
Becca Hayhurst, Head of Student Support at Unite Students

Resources

The Student Cost of Living report is available to download from the Russell Group Students’ Unions website. [January 2023]

The findings from Savanta’s cost of living research for Office for Students (OfS) are available from the OfS website. [March 2023]

The 2023 HEPI and Advance HE Student Academic Experience Survey can be downloaded from the HEPI website. [June 2023]

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.

SE06E04: Supporting international students’ mental health

Tue, 23 May 2023 09:08:14 +0100

International students make up a substantial proportion of the UK’s student population, but how do their mental health needs differ from those of home students? That’s the question we’re looking to get to the bottom of in this month’s episode of Accommodation Matters.

Host Jenny Shaw oversees an expert conversation that covers some of the factors that have a particular impact on international students’ mental health – including finances, visas and cultural competency in student support – and how other countries’ approach to mental health can influence students’ own views on seeking support, as well as how mental health issues might present for students from different cultures.

This episode’s guests include:

Jamie-Lukas Campbell, Postgraduate Officer at Queens University Belfast Student Union
Dom Smithies, Influencing and Advocacy Lead at Student Minds
Andy Winter, Director of Student Support Services at University of Sheffield

Special guest Bernadette Cochonat, Head of International Sales and Partnerships at Unite Students, additionally shares her insights into some of the specific factors and cultural background impacting on students from key markets China, India and Nigeria.

Resources

Understanding Student Mental Health Inequalities: International Students, a report by Student Minds, is available from the Student Minds website. [2022]

Unite Students’ Living Black at University report is available from the Unite Students website. [2022]

S06E03.5 What is the ‘Journey To A Million’?

Tue, 16 May 2023 08:50:20 +0100

Following on from our latest Accommodation Matters episode ‘What does 1 million applicants mean for student accommodation?’, we now share Jenny Shaw’s full interview with Ben Jordan, Head of Policy at UCAS, about the UCAS ‘Journey To A Million’ essay series – sponsored by Unite Students and Knight Frank.

In this short 10-minute primer, Ben shares:

What the core ‘Journey to a Million’ concept is
Where the projection of a million applicants for UK universities comes from
Key themes of the campaign
Some of the major players in responding to applicant growth

Jenny and Ben also delve into some of the potential outcomes and implications of a growth in applicant demand, including further education, university choices, international students and the wider student experience.

Resources

The UCAS Journey To A Million essay collection, sponsored by Unite Students and Knight Frank, can be found at the UCAS website.

Further essays will be added to the site in the coming weeks, including the Unite Students and Knight Frank co-authored essay on student accommodation - coming Thursday 18th May.

S06E03: What does 1 million applicants mean for student accommodation?

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 08:25:57 +0100

UCAS is projecting that by 2030, there could be up to one million applicants for Higher Education in the United Kingdom – throwing up countless considerations across the sector. The UCAS essay series Journey To A Million is exploring some of these issues and how they might play out through the rest of the decade.

Ahead of the release of Unite Students’ essay, co-authored with Knight Frank, we’re looking at what the Journey To A Million means for student accommodation - covering supply and demand, research into the student experience, and what accommodation for the next generation of students looks like.

The expert guests in this episode, hosted by Jenny Shaw, include:

Ben Jordan, Head of Policy at UCAS
Katie O’Neill, Associate at Knight Frank
Deenie Lee, Co-Founder at The Property Marketing Strategists
James Ballard, Innovation Manager at Unite Students

Resources

The UCAS Journey To A Million essay collection, sponsored by Unite Students and Knight Frank, can be found at the UCAS website. Further essays will be added to the site in the coming months.

The 2023 UCAS and Knight Frank student sentiment survey report is now available from the Knight Frank website.

You can read the Property Marketing Strategists’ research at their website.

S06E02: Meeting the needs of neurodivergent students

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 08:09:29 +0100

Following on from the publication of Unite Students’ new report into the university and accommodation experiences of neurodivergent students, this month on Accommodation Matters we’re talking through some of the findings and recommendations.

Guests talk through practical ways for universities and accommodation providers to make student accommodation a better environment for neurodivergent students, including arrival and orientation at university, making adjustments to student rooms, and staff support.

Our expert panel, hosted by Jenny Shaw, includes:

Freya Selman, Co-founder of Bristol University Neurodiversity Society (BUNS)
Tim Owen, Associate Director of Student Accommodation at University of Birmingham
Kerry Watson, Regional Student Support Manager for Scotland and the North at Unite Students

Resources

The An Asset, Not A Problem: Meeting the needs of neurodivergent students report is available for download now from Unite Students’ website [2023].

Living Black at University can also be found on the Unite Students website [2022].

Learn more about Bristol University Neurodiversity Society (BUNS) from the Bristol SU website.

S06E01: Student belonging - behind the buzzword

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 08:56:49 +0000

Welcome to the sixth series of Accommodation Matters – bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

In this episode, host Jenny Shaw is looking to learn more about the sector’s hottest topic: student belonging. The experts share their insights on topics including how a sense of belonging comes about in student accommodation, how student accommodation practitioners can facilitate it in their buildings, and supporting students from marginalised communities to belong in their accommodation.

This month’s panel features:

Yvonne Turnbull, Director of Student Advice and Wellbeing at Liverpool John Moores University
Tom White, Co-Founder and CEO at WAU Agency
Luke McCrone, Postdoctoral Researcher at Imperial College London

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 16th February 2023 and produced by Ed Palmer.

Resources

The What Works? Student retention and success report can be downloaded from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation website [2012].

Unite Students’ 2022 Applicant Index is available to download from the Unite Students website, as is the Living Black at University research report [2022].

You can learn more about Imperial College’s Belonging, Engagement and Community (BEC) Project at the Imperial website.

More information on WAU Agency's 'Investor in Students' scheme is available from the WAU website.

Wonkhe and Pearson’s Building Belonging in Higher Education report is available to download from Wonkhe’s website [2022].

S05E03: What are the latest trends in student accommodation marketing?

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 10:35:40 +0000

Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation, and this month, we're exploring all things student marketing.

Our expert panel, hosted by Jenny Shaw, looks at current data trends in student accommodation marketing, as well as the importance of brand, the impact of cost of living on both students and brands, and the use of social media in marketing to students.

This month’s panel includes:

Josephine Hansom, Vice President and Youth Practice Lead at Savanta
Shelley Wilde, Head of Brand at Unite Students

HEPI’s 2022 student experience report can be downloaded from the HEPI website.

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 29th November 2022 and produced by Ed Palmer.

S05E02: Hidden risks: Reducing harms from high-risk student behaviour

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 10:03:26 +0000

Content note: This episode contains discussion of sensitive topics including drugs, alcohol, gambling and sex work. If you or someone you know needs support with the topics discussed in this episode, there are specialist organisations that can help you in complete confidence – please refer to the ‘Support’ section of the show notes for signposting.

Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation, and this month, we’re looking at high-risk student behaviours that take place behind closed doors, such as drug-taking, drinking, gambling and sex work.

Our expert Higher Education panel, hosted by Jenny Shaw, explores why students might engage in these behaviours, what the risks are, and what university and student accommodation practitioners can do to support students and reduce harms.

This month’s panel includes:

Mandi Barron, Director of Student Services at Bournemouth University
Sunday Blake, Associate Editor at Wonkhe and former President of the University of Exeter Students’ Guild
Kev Clelland, Director of Insight and Engagement at the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM)

The panel is also joined by guest contributor Tracy Lumb, Senior Project Manager – Wellbeing at SOS UK, who shares her insights on student drug and alcohol misuse.

Tracy and Jenny will be speaking further on the topic at ‘Tackling drug use in student accommodation’, a Westminster Forum event, on Tuesday 10th January 2023. More details are available at the Westminster Forum site.

Unite Students is sponsoring the Universities UK taskforce on student drug use. The Student Drug Use Taskforce was launched by Universities UK (UUK), in partnership with Unite Students, GuildHE and Independent HE, and in order to better understand demand for and use of drugs within the UK student population, and produce evidence-led sector guidance with a view to reducing harms from drug use and better tackle supply.

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 11th November 2022 and produced by Ed Palmer.

Resources

The following resources are referenced during the episode:

Taking The Hit report (2018): https://www.release.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdf/publications/Taking%20the%20Hit%20-%20Student%20drug%20use%20and%20how%20institutions%20respond%20-.pdf
Student gambling research commissioned by YGAM and GAMSTOP (2022): https://www.ygam.org/new-survey-shows-students-use-borrowed-money-to-gamble/
Student Sex Work: International Perspectives and Implications for Policy and Practice (2022): https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-07777-7
The English Collective of Prostitutes: https://prostitutescollective.net/resources/
Sex Worker Advocacy and Resistance Movement (SWARM): https://www.swarmcollective.org/

Support

This podcast covers some sensitive topics. If you or someone around you needs support for these issues, the following organisations can help.

Drugs:

Talk To Frank: 0300 123 6600 https://www.talktofrank.com/get-help/find-support-near-you

Alcohol:

Gambling:

Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM): https://www.ygam.org/support-and-advice/
GamCare: 0808 802 0133 https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/

Sex work:

Support For Student Sex Workers: https://www.supportforstudentsexworkers.org/support/
National Ugly Mugs: https://nationaluglymugs.org/

S05E01: Student accommodation: home or hotel?

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 09:50:10 +0100

Welcome to the fifth series of Accommodation Matters – bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. We’re kicking off the new series by looking at the intersection between student accommodation and the hospitality sector.

Host Jenny Shaw is joined by a very special panel made up of student accommodation practitioners with hotel experience - discussing how they’ve applied their hotel experience to the world of student accommodation, whether students should be considered customers, and hotel trends that might emerge in PBSA.

This month’s expert panel is:

Vikki Welch, Associate Director of Student Living at University of Nottingham
Karan Khanna, Chief Customer Officer at Unite Students
Paul Watson, Central Operations Director at Unite Students

The panel is also joined by guest contributor David Marr, Head of Operations for Scotland and the North at Unite Students. He shares his personal experience of leaving home at 18 to work in the hotel sector, and how that’s shaped his view on supporting students as they make the transition to university life.

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 3rd October 2022 and produced by Ed Palmer.

In Conversation with... Victoria Tolmie-Loverseed

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 09:54:34 +0100

The final episode of our In Conversation mini-series stars Victoria Tolmie-Loverseed, Assistant Chief Executive - Standards at student housing charity Unipol.

Victoria plays a major role in overseeing Unipol's national codes and standards for student accommodation, and now she shares her insights from 15 years in the student accommodation sector with host Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director at Unite Students.

Topics covered include the affordability of student accommodation, student mental health in accommodation, and health and safety in buildings.

More information about Unipol's Codes can be found at the Unipol website.

‘Accommodation Matters: In Conversation’ is 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.

Accommodation Matters: In Conversation is produced by Ed Palmer and was recorded on 19th May 2022.

S04E06: Preparing for the class of 2022

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 15:28:14 +0100

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

It’s almost time for a new group of freshers to arrive at universities across the country, and the Higher Education sector is hard at work preparing for their arrival – so this month’s Accommodation Matters panel weighs in on who this group of students are, what stands out from previous cohorts, how the sector will have to adapt to their needs, and what they themselves are doing to prepare for this year’s new student arrivals.

Host Jenny Shaw is joined by an expert panel made up of:

Nick Hillman, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI)
Melissa Browne, Head of Operations at University College London (UCL)
Jo Blair, Regional General Manager for Scotland at Unite Students

Talking points include supporting the transition to university, cost of living challenges, sustainability and behaviour change, the evolution of the student accommodation sector over time. Panellists also share their tips for what advice they would share with new students.

You can find the Unite Students 2022 Applicant Index Report, previous applicant survey results and our Living Black at University report at the Unite Students website.

HEPI’s 2022 Student Academic Experience report is available at the HEPI website.

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 26th July 2022 and was produced by Ed Palmer.

In Conversation with... Dr Alexis Brown

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 09:28:29 +0100

The latest episode of our In Conversation mini-series stars Dr Alexis Brown, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Higher Education Policy Institute.

Speaking to Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director at Unite Students, Dr Alexis shares her thoughts on what the Higher Education sector's current challenges are, part-time and lifelong learning opportunities, and student wellbeing, as well as her own experiences of studying in the US and the UK.

You can find the UCAS data for international applicants here.

More information about the Office for Students (OfS)'s short course trial is available from their website.

Accommodation Matters: In Conversation is produced by Ed Palmer and was recorded on 11th May 2022.

S04E05: Postgraduates’ accommodation needs

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 09:25:30 +0100

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

This month, we’re exploring the postgraduate accommodation market, asking: who are the UK’s postgraduates? What do they want from their accommodation? And what are the challenges they face in accessing it?

Host Darren Ellis is joined by an expert panel made up of:

Rebecca O’Hare, Assistant Director (Residence Life & Accommodation Office) at the University of Leeds
Fiona Maingi, Digital Marketing MSc student at Royal Holloway, University of London
James Ballard, Innovation Manager at Unite Students

We’re also joined by special contributors Dr Diana Beech – CEO at London Higher – to give us a picture of postgraduate numbers, trends and motivators, and Caroline Persaud, Registrar at Goodenough College, to share a case study on Goodenough College’s specialist postgraduate accommodation offer.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)'s data on postgraduate numbers is available here.

Unite Students' postgraduate building trial is outlined in further detail at the Unite Students website.

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 21st and 27th June 2022 and was produced by Ed Palmer.

In Conversation, Episode 1: Hillary Gyebi-Ababio

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 08:18:02 +0100

This summer, Unite Students is sharing ‘Accommodation Matters: 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.

Hosted by Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director, this first episode features Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, outgoing Vice President for Higher Education at the National Union of Students (NUS).

Hear Hillary's thoughts on community-building, student accommodation, student-led initiatives, and reflections on her time at the NUS in this thoughtful and insightful conversation.

You can learn more about Unite Students' Living Black at University research report here, and about Black People Talk at their website here.

Accommodation Matters: In Conversation is produced by Ed Palmer and was recorded on 11th May 2022.

New series trailer: In Conversation

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 09:30:49 +0100

This summer, Unite Students is bringing you brand new mini-series In Conversation.

Host Jenny Shaw speaks to sector experts one-on-one for an in-depth discussion about their Higher Education experience, insights and future predictions. We'll be bringing you three episodes over the summer in addition to our monthly Accommodation Matters episode.

Tune in to Episode 1, an interview with the National Union of Students' Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, launching on Tuesday 21st June!

S04E04: Lessons from around the world

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 07:48:44 +0100

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

This month, we’re going around the world to hear about what student accommodation looks like across different markets. Discussion points include the differences between student accommodation provision in the UK, United States and Australia, how each market caters to significant international student numbers, and the preferences of domestic students.

Host Jenny Shaw is joined by an expert international sector panel made up of:

Marion Bayley, Chief Executive Officer at Deakin Residential Services and President of the Asia-Pacific Student Accommodation Association (APSAA)
Tim Daplyn, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at Global Student Living
Emelie Helsen, Campus Manager at Coventry University London
Pin Yiong, Intrapreneur at Unite Students

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 23rd May 2022 and produced by Ed Palmer.

Accommodation Matters S04E03: The future of student mental health

Mon, 09 May 2022 10:30:00 +0100

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of sensitive topics including suicide, eating disorders and domestic violence. If you need support with the topics discussed in this episode, there are organisations such as Mind (0300 123 3393), Samaritans (116 123) or Student Minds that can help you in complete confidence.

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This month, we’re looking at the future of student mental health, including current student mental health trends, the latest thinking in the student support sector, and what this means for the future of student mental health.

Talking points include the legacy of Covid-19 on student mental health, how universities and accommodation providers are collaborating on matters of student support, student suicide prevention, and the future of student mental health provision.

Host Jenny Shaw is joined by an expert sector panel made up of:

Professor Jo Smith, Professor of Early Intervention and Psychosis at University of Worcester
David Malpas, Director of Student Affairs at Middlesex University
Becca Hayhurst, Head of Student Support at Unite Students

You can find the resources and organisations mentioned in the episode below:

R;pple, a suicide prevention browser tool: https://www.ripplesuicideprevention.com/
Universities UK and PAPYRUS’s Suicide-Safer Universities Guidance (2018): https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/what-we-do/policy-and-research/publications/suicide-safer-universities
Office for National Statistics data on higher education student suicide incidence (2018): https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/estimatingsuicideamonghighereducationstudentsenglandandwalesexperimentalstatistics/2018-06-25
‘Preventing and Responding to Student Suicide – A Practical Guide for FE and HE Settings’, edited by Dr Sharon Mallon and Professor Jo Smith [Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2021]
The Charlie Waller Trust: https://charliewaller.org/
The University Mental Health Charter, created by Student Minds (2019): https://www.studentminds.org.uk/charter.html

Unite Students is the UK’s largest provider of PBSA, housing around 74,000 students in our 172 properties, which are based in 25 leading university towns and cities. We currently partner with over 60 universities across the UK.

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 27th April 2022 and produced by Ed Palmer.

S04E02: The rising cost of living

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 09:27:01 +0100

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

This month, we’re looking at the cost of living crisis: how it’s affecting students, what this means in the context of student accommodation, and what it might mean for the future.

Host Jenny Shaw is joined by an expert sector panel made up of:

Vivi Friedgut, Founder and CEO of Blackbullion
Lynne Condell, formerly Manager of Student Money Advice at Liverpool John Moores University
Michelle Etchells, Head of Corporate Shared Services at Unite Students

You can read more about our cost of living research here, as well as our ‘Climbing Cost of Living’ guide for parents and students – produced with Blackbullion – here.

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 22nd March 2022 and produced by Ed Palmer.

S04E01: Living Black at University

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 09:21:00 +0000

Accommodation Matters is back for a new season, bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

In February, Unite Students launched Living Black At University, the first report into the experiences of Black students in student accommodation; you can download the report here. This episode of Accommodation Matters features the highlights of our launch event, including an overview of findings, panel discussion and Q&A session.

Introduced by Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director at Unite Students, and chaired by HEPI director Nick Hillman, the panel features sector experts:

Sam Kingsley, Senior EDI & Wellbeing Manager at Unite Students
Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, Vice President for Higher Education at National Union of Students
Professor Iyiola Solanke, Chair in EU Law & Social Justice and Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Leeds
Osaro Otobo, Consultant at Halpin Partnership and Project Manager for Living Black at University

The Living Black at University launch event was run in partnership with the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) on 3rd February 2022 and can be viewed in full here.

Unite Students is the UK’s largest provider of student accommodation, providing homes to 74,000 students across 172 properties in 25 leading university towns and cities. We currently partner with over 60 universities across the UK.

Accommodation Matters was produced by Ed Palmer.

S03E03: Unite Foundation takeover

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 14:00:00 +0000

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

This month’s episode is a takeover by the Unite Foundation, an independent charity that supports estranged and care-experienced students through university with a unique scholarship that supports their bills and accommodation throughout the duration of their course. Unite Students is proud to be the Foundation’s accommodation partner of choice.

Featuring two former Unite Foundation students, the panel delves into how the student experience differs for care-experienced and estranged students, how the Higher Education sector has adapted to better accommodate the needs of these students in the past decade, and what more it can do in future.

Fiona Ellison – Director of the Unite Foundation - steps in as host for this episode, and is joined by a panel of:

Dr Peter Tormey, Senior Widening Participation Officer at Edinburgh Napier University
Bethia Green, former Unite Foundation student
Sherique, former Unite Foundation student

You can find out more about the Unite Foundation - including its own podcast This Is Us, and information on how to donate - from its website, https://thisisusatuni.org/.

Unite Students is the UK’s largest provider of PBSA, housing around 74,000 students in our 173 properties, which are based in 25 leading university towns and cities.

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 7th December 2021 and produced by Ed Palmer.

S03E02: The changing role of parents in Higher Education

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 09:26:27 +0000

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

This month, we’re taking a deep dive into parents and their role within Higher Education, covering how parents engage in their child’s university experience, what this means for students, and the impact on student accommodation.

Jenny Shaw – our Higher Education External Engagement Director - steps in as host for this episode, and is joined by an expert sector panel made up of:

Dr Dominique Thompson, GP, author and student mental health expert
Vicki Johnson, Associate Director of Campus and Residential Services at Leeds Beckett University
Louise Bena, Chief Marketing Officer at Student Crowd
Vicki Simmons, Area Manager for Birmingham at Unite Students

You can read more about our Empty Nest Syndrome survey findings on the Unite Students website, as well as Dr Thompson’s parents’ guide to empty nesting.

Student Crowd’s data on the influence of parents can be found here.

Unite Students is the UK’s largest provider of PBSA, housing around 74,000 students in our 173 properties, which are based in 25 leading university towns and cities.

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 15th November 2021 and produced by Ed Palmer.

S03E01 - Expectations v reality of the admissions cycle

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 17:12:11 +0100

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

Series 3 kicks off with a look at the 2021 admissions cycle and what it’s meant for students, universities and accommodation providers. Talking points include how universities have met the needs of an expanded student cohort, the picture of this year’s return to campus, and how this admissions cycle has impacted on accommodation strategy both this year and for the future.

Host Darren Ellis is joined by an expert sector panel made up of:

Vanessa Wilson, CEO of University Alliance
Wendy Roberts, Director of Staff and Student Accommodation at University of Warwick
Robert Garnish, Commercial Services Director at University of Glasgow
Karan Khanna, Chief Customer Officer at Unite Students

You can read more about our Empty Nest Syndrome survey findings on the Unite Students website, as well as our parents’ guide to empty nesting.

Unite Students is the UK’s largest provider of PBSA, housing around 74,000 students in our 173 properties, which are based in 25 leading university towns and cities.

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 13th October 2021 and produced by Ed Palmer.

S02E05 - Preparing for September (Part 2)

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 16:45:00 +0100

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

In the second episode of our ‘Preparing for September’ two-parter, our panel of expert sector guests discuss their plans to welcome students to campus in September, how they’ll be meeting students’ needs (as discussed in the previous episode), and how adaptable these plans are in the face of an uncertain situation with Covid-19.

Host Darren Ellis is joined by an expert sector panel made up of:

Einita Suman, Director of Accommodation and Operations at University of Birmingham
Rebecca O’Hare, Assistant Director of Residence Life and Accommodation at University of Leeds
Clare Ody, Head of Customer Experience at Unite Students

Unite Students’ applicant survey data can be found here.

For a summary of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, please refer to Simple Psychology’s explainer article, available here.

More information about the Scottish pilot scheme to allow on-campus quarantines for students from red list countries is outlined here.

Unite Students is the UK’s largest provider of PBSA, housing around 74,000 students in our 173 properties, which are based in 25 leading university towns and cities.

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 21st July 2021 and produced by Ed Palmer.

S02E04 - Preparing for September (Part 1)

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 15:30:00 +0100

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

In the first episode of a two-parter that focuses on preparing for September, our panel of expert sector guests discusses September’s incoming student cohort; their needs, anxieties and expectations, and how the sector can respond to those concerns.

Host Darren Ellis is joined by an expert sector panel made up of:

Sunday Blake, President at the University of Exeter Students’ Guild
Wayne Templeman, Director of Sixth Form at St Bonaventure’s school
Adrian Clark, Student Health and Wellbeing Manager at University of London
Simon Jones, Business Development Director at Unite Students

Unite Students’ applicant survey data can be found here.

A summary of the findings from both the survey and the expert round table on new students' needs, written by Jenny Shaw, is available here.

Unite Students is the UK’s largest provider of PBSA, housing around 74,000 students in our 173 properties, which are based in 25 leading university towns and cities.

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 22nd June 2021 and produced by Ed Palmer.

S02E03 - Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education

Fri, 28 May 2021 00:01:00 +0100

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

This month, our panel considers race and inclusion in Higher Education after a year that has thrown race equality into sharp focus across all walks of life. Our guests delve into what work had already been done in the sector prior to 2020, how much last year’s events accelerated an existing appetite for change within the sector, and how universities and student accommodation can be more inclusive spaces where staff and students of all races can flourish.

Host Darren Ellis is joined by an expert sector panel made up of:

•Shakira Martin, Head of Student Experience at Rose Bruford College

•Mhairi Taylor, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at University of Glasgow

•Alex Mormoris, Inclusion Manager at London Metropolitan University

•Sam Kingsley, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Unite Students

To learn more about Unite Students’ research into Black students’ university experience, head to Halpin’s project website here, and email unitestudents@halpinpartnership.comto take part.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report on racial harassment in universities in England, Scotland and Wales is available here at the Commission’s website.

Aiming Higher, the Runnymede Trust’s major 2015 report on race and higher education, is available for download here.

You can learn more about Glasgow University’s action planon racism and racial harassment on campus here and London Metropolitan University’s Race Equity Strategy here.

Unite Students is the UK’s largest provider of PBSA, housing around 74,000 students in our 173 properties, which are based in 25 leading university towns and cities.

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 25th May 2021 andproduced by Alex Parsons.

S02E02 - Future of Higher Education

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 00:01:00 +0100

Accommodation Matters, bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

Our April edition is all about the future of Higher Education, with Alister Wilson of Waverley Management Consultants providing provocations on what this might look like. Our panel considers the impact of Covid on established modes of university teaching and learning, the changing nature of jobs and skills as we enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and how course structures might change to accommodate lifelong learning.

Darren Ellis returns as host, and he’s joined by:

Professor Sue Rigby, Vice Chancellor at Bath Spa University
Ian Dunn, Provost at Coventry University
Paul Sweeney, Chief Strategy Officer at Unite Students

Unite Students is the UK’s largest provider of PBSA, housing around 74,000 students in our 173 properties, which are based in 25 leading university towns and cities.

Accommodation Matters was produced by Alex Parsons.

S02E01 - Sustainability

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 23:01:00 +0000

Accommodation Matters is back for a new season, bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

This season kicks off with a look at environmental sustainability: why sustainability movements have gained traction in recent years; how sustainability is relevant to the Higher Education sector; and what universities, accommodation providers and students are doing to shape a more sustainable world.

Darren Ellis returns as host, and he’s joined by:

Andy Nolan, Development and Sustainability Director at the University of Nottingham
Jade Monroe, Interim Director of Education at SOS UK, which is the National Union of Students’ sustainability charity, representing 7 million students in higher and further education
James Tiernan, Head of Energy and Environment at Unite Students

James Tiernan and Andy Nolan will be speaking at the AUDE Conference 2021 from 12-16 April 2021 - you can read more about the conference at https://www.aude.ac.uk/events/annual-conference/.

Find more about Unite Students’ Sustainability Strategy here: https://www.unite-group.co.uk/responsibility/our-sustainability-commitments-16-march-2021

SOS UK’s latest Sustainability Skills Survey report is available here: www.tinyurl.com/8c9m9k9s

Learn more about the National Union of Students’ Green Impact programme here: http://greenimpact.nus.org.uk/

The University of Nottingham’s Green Rewards app can be found here: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/uon-green-rewards/id1554090130

The Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges can be found at https://www.eauc.org.uk/

Accommodation Matters was produced by Alex Parsons.

S01E05 - The story so far

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 00:01:00 +0000

In September 2020, Unite Students launched the Accommodation Matters podcast, recognising the need for a space to discuss the implications of Covid-19 for universities and accommodation providers, and how these have impacted, and will impact, on students’ living and residential experience.

Our host Darren Ellis, Higher Education Engagement Director at Unite Students, takes us through a selection of our highlights so far in this series break special episode – so sit back, listen and enjoy! We’ll be back with a brand new episode in February, so subscribe to our channel to be notified of the latest updates.

S01E04 - International Students

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 00:01:00 +0000

Host Darren Ellis returns with a new panel of experts to tackle the subject of international students in the UK.

In this episode, the panel discusses how recruitment efforts have been adapted in light of Covid, which markets we’ll be looking to for the next generation of international students, and how accommodation teams can make sure they have a great experience living and studying in the UK.

Darren is joined by:

· Sir Steve Smith, the government’s International Education Champion and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Exeter

· Vivienne Stern, Director of Universities UK International

· Dr Paul Greatrix, Registrar at the University of Nottingham

· Sheena Birch, Commercial Director at Unite Students

You can read Universities UK International’s 2019 report ‘International student recruitment: Why aren’t we second?’ here. Insights into UCAS’s early 2021/22 application data can be found here. A summary of IDP Connect’s Crossroads III research is here.

Accommodation Matters was produced by Alex Parsons.

Episode 4 - International Students is out this week

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 00:01:00 +0000

We're back for the last episode of the year.

This month we'll be talking about international students.

Joining Darren for this discussion is Vivienne Stern, Director of Universities UK International, Professor Sir Steve Smith, the UK's International Education Champion and former Vice-Chancellor at University of Exeter, Doctor Paul Greatrix, registrar of the University of Nottingham and Sheena Birch, Commercial Director at Unite Students.

Check your podcast feed this Friday for the new episode.

S01E03 - Student mental health and wellbeing

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 23:55:00 +0000

Host Darren Ellis is back again with a new panel of experts to discuss student mental health and wellbeing, a topic arguably more relevant than ever before.

In this episode, the panel discusses how wellbeing came to the fore of the higher education sector’s agenda, how that landscape has changed with the advent of Covid-19, and what lasting changes we might see in the aftermath.

Darren is joined by:

Professor Steve West, OBE, Vice-Chancellor of UWE Bristol, and chair of Universities UK’s Working Group on Mental Health in Higher Education
Rosie Tressler, CEO of Student Minds
Yvonne Turnbull, Director of Student Advice and Wellbeing at Liverpool John Moores University
Jenny Shaw, Student Experience Director for Unite Students

Student Space, a dedicated support service developed by Student Minds, can be found here.

Read more about the University Mental Health Charter here.

The British Property Foundation’s Student Wellbeing Guide is here.

More details regarding the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Black University Students in the UK Study can be found here.

Get all the stats from Unite’s Student Experience During Covid Survey here.

Accommodation Matters was produced by Alex Parsons.

If you’re struggling, don’t suffer in silence – there are organisations out there that can help you in complete confidence including Mind and Samaritans. Where wellbeing concerns involve your work, reach out to your line manager or HR team.

Further options, including specialist helplines, can be found through the NHS website.

Episode 3 - Student Wellbeing is out Friday

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 10:08:27 +0000

This month Darren is joined by a new panel of guests to discuss student wellbeing when going to university during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Get the full episode wherever you get you podcasts from Friday.

S01 E02 - The transition into university life

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 00:01:00 +0100

Host Darren Ellis is back with a new panel of experts to discuss the transition from school to university in the context of COVID-19.

In this episode the panel discusses how students and applicants are feeling right now and how this may affect their behaviour, challenges current media portrayals of the student experience, and highlights the undiminished appetite for a residential university experience.

Darren is joined by:

Clare Marchant, chief executive officer of UCAS
Wayne Templeman, director of sixth form at St Bonaventure School
James Greenwood, student experience manager at University of the Arts and chair of CUBO residential life & student experience
Jo Blair, area manager at Unite Students and ASRA regional representative for Scotland

BBC Bitesize resources in partnership with UCAS can be found here.

The Unite Students free Leapskills resource packs for parents and teachers is here.

James is speaking at the CUBO Winter Conference at 12.30 on 30 November, further details here.

Accommodation Matters was produced by Alex Parsons.

Trailer - S01 E02 - The transition into university life

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 13:06:34 +0100

On this months episode, Darren chats to a new panel of guests including UCAS Chief Executive, Clare Marchant, St Bonaventure’s Director of 6th Form Wayne Templeman, UAL’s Student Experience Manager, James Greenwood and our very own Aberdeen and Glasgow Area Manager, Jo Blair as we discuss the transition into university life.

Listen to Accommodation Matters, available from Friday.

S01 E01. The return to campus

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 07:03:34 +0100

Join host Darren Ellis in this, the very first episode of Accommodation Matters. We discuss results day and the impact on UCAS figures and student numbers, look at the demise of the gap year and the student appetite for Higher Education as well as planning for the opening and safe operation of accommodation and campuses. We also talk about arrivals weekends and international students, firing through a mix of policy and practicality in this COVID world.

Darren is joined by:

Nick Hillman, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI)
Ian Jones, Deputy Director of Accommodation and Commercial Services at the University of Sheffield
Robert Garnish, Director of Commercial Services at the University of Glasgow
Steph Camm, Head of Health and Safety at Unite Students.

The research into students’ attitudes towards returning to campus, referenced in the show, can be found here.

Accommodation Matters was produced by Alex Parsons.

Accommodation matters - coming this Friday

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 10:10:49 +0100

Unite Students are launching a brand new podcast discussing what matters in student accommodation.

Join host Darren Ellis each month for a lively round table chat with university student accommodation leaders from across the UK, national policy experts and subject specialists.

Available from Friday