Community Hub

Helping improve how universities connect with local communities
A bright, colourful cartoon graphic of Plymouth city centre with the university buildings and local landmarks picked out

Welcome to our Community Hub

The Community Hub is a place for collaboration, where community groups and University staff can connect, share expertise and work together on meaningful projects.
Whether you’re looking to access University resources, explore partnership opportunities or bring a new idea to life, the Hub is here to help you.

As a community we can discover together, work together and be together

Get in touch

Contact our Community Engagement Officer, Matt Grant, to discuss how we can support your community projects or explore ways to collaborate with the University of Plymouth.

Discover together – connect with academics and research opportunities

The University is committed to engaging and involving the community through opportunities to connect with researchers, collaborate on projects and learn together. Whether you’re contributing to research or bringing new ideas to life, there’s something for everyone.

Public engagement workshops
Collaborate on Research
Explore opportunities for the local community and University academics to connect and collaborate on research projects. Search the Research Portal and find support for working and learning together or ask a question on our interactive noticeboard.
Engage Plymouth 2025 Graphic
Engage Plymouth 2025
Join us for inspiring talks, interactive sessions, and real-world case studies on collaboration and shared resources. With local voices at the heart, it's a chance to spark ideas, build relationships and explore new ways to work together. Whether you're from a community group, charity or the University, this event is for you.
Citizens Advice report launch 2023 (1289x720)
Public Research Case Studies
Here you can find some of the ways our researchers have worked to engaged with the public, share specific research findings and help the public to benefit from the research being done at the University.

Research Making a Difference in Plymouth

Plymouth City Council and the University of Plymouth have secured £4.7 million to tackle health inequalities in the city. This funding supports research into how social factors – like housing, jobs and community support – affect people’s health, ensuring local decisions are based on real evidence.
A research team is working directly within the council, alongside community groups, the NHS and businesses, to find practical solutions that improve lives. This is a great example of Plymouth’s organisations coming together to create lasting, positive change.
Aerial photo of Plymouth

Work together – placements, internships and specialist support

Sharing skills in Plymouth

The University is home to talented students and staff who can bring fresh ideas and skills to your projects. Whether you’re looking for interns, volunteers, or new team members, we can help you connect with the right people to support your work.

Employer Engagement OpportunitiesAttract the brightest talent - supporting you to access our students and graduates
Connect with our talented students and graduates
Our dedicated Employer Engagement team works with organisations to support recruitment, internships and placements. Whether you're looking to find the right candidates or raise your profile on campus, we can help you connect with talented students.
Freelancers Agency – The Cube
Plymouth Freelancers Agency
You can connect with our growing pool of new, developing, and established student and graduate freelancers. All our freelancers are prepared and accessible to take on your projects whenever you require, with no agency fees.
USPU Volunteers at Tulgey Woods
Student volunteers
Looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support your projects? The University of Plymouth Students’ Union connects community groups with students keen to get involved.
The Law Clinic window display by Lembi Ilsjan
Legal advice
The Law Clinic offers real advice and assistance to clients in the Plymouth community, across a range of legal areas.
Student checking a mans eyes
Eyecare clinics
The Centre for Eyecare Excellence (CEE) provides a wide range of eyecare services to the community, including eye examinations, spectacle dispensing, contact lens fittings, and specialist clinics for children, individuals with visual impairments and those with specific eye conditions.
Year Five/final year dentistry student.
Dental clinics
Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise runs Dental Education Facilities in Plymouth, Truro and Exeter, where students from the University studying for a career in dental health (as a dentist, nurse, hygienist or therapist) treat NHS patients under the supervision of qualified and experience dental health professionals.

Be together – events, spaces and resources open to all

Open and welcoming

The University is part of the city and our campus is open to everyone. Whether you're stopping by for a coffee at one of our cafes, attending a public event or exploring ways to use our spaces for your community activities, you’re always welcome. We invite you to be part of our campus, connect with others and make the most of what’s on offer.

Highlights from FUTURES2024: young children taking part in some interactive activity.
Public events
From experts sharing their latest research to films, performances and family festivals, our exciting and varied events are open to all members of our communities. We welcome students, staff, alumni and the wider community to get involved.
The Container Cafe
University cafes – open to all
Our cafes serve locally sourced, Fairtrade and sustainable food, welcoming staff, students and the wider community. With ten locations across campus, you can enjoy fresh, seasonal meals, barista coffee, and a range of vegetarian and vegan options.
Rolle building room 018
Community room hire
The University offers a range of event spaces for hire, whether you're planning a conference, meeting, workshop or community gathering. Free room hire for non-profit community groups is available for those who meet the criteria.
 

More about the Hub

The University has been supported by the National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA) to transform how we connect with our local community. 
Here in Plymouth, we’ve developed this digital Community Hub: a space designed to help local groups access University resources, collaborate on research and engage in training or student-led projects.
To ensure the Hub reflects real community needs, we gathered ideas and priorities directly from local representatives through workshops and feedback. These insights have shaped the platform into a valuable resource for strengthening partnerships between the University and Plymouth’s vibrant community.