Personal development sessions and groups

Get the most from your studies and personal life
Personal development sessions and groups

Personal development sessions and groups update

Personal development sessions and groups have now moved online. Further information is available within this page. We are currently developing more groups to support you whilst the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing - keep on eye on this page for updates! 

If you have any questions please email studentservices@plymouth.ac.uk or call 01752 587676 for more information.

Why come along?    

Student Wellbeing Services run a personal development programme to help you get the most from your studies and personal life.  Some of these are workshops and information or taster sessions – you only need to book where it says so. Others are groups that run over a period of weeks.

We know people can feel nervous about joining a group, but feedback we've had from students say it has helped them to feel more supported, more confident and better connected with others. It's sometimes just helpful to know you're not alone in your difficulties.

These groups are popular, so when you sign up you'll be asked to make a commitment to coming along regularly. To help develop a safe and secure space, these groups are closed to new participants once they have begun. This does not apply to the Global Buddies International Student Group.

We'd love to see you. 

Soul Fuel!

A new inclusive morning group for staff, volunteers and students, led by Revd Jonathon Ross-McNairn.

Start your day by taking time for prayer or mindfulness, a thought for the day from Revd Jonathon and a question for the day to inspire you. Join us, listen in and enjoy some soul fuel.

Held 9:30–9:45 am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning, starting on Monday 15 June.

You can access this group through Facebook Live.

Global Buddies - calling all International/EU/EEA Students in Plymouth!

We know a lot of you are remaining in Plymouth/UK during the current lockdown situation either through choice or because you were unable to travel home.

We acknowledge this can be a very challenging time for us all, but connecting with others can really help and be fun. 

Student Services are running a weekly group on Zoom (video conferencing software) where you can meet others in a similar situation to connect, chat and learn strategies to improve your well-being.

The group will run every Monday, starting on Monday 27th April 2020 12pm-1pm. 

We look forward to seeing you there!  Register for this group

Calm and Zoom ( online group)

If you have experienced shock, trauma or loss or are stressed, you might find it helpful to understand how this can impact on your psychological and physical health and wellbeing. In this group you can learn and practice effective techniques that will support you to soothe and regulate distressing symptoms, such as flashbacks, panic attacks, sleep problems and difficulty focusing. It is a safe, comfortable and relaxing space to explore techniques that will be most helpful and supportive for you.

Please note, this is not a therapy group. We will not be talking about any personal or distressing information. The focus is on developing our own personal strategies and techniques so hopefully you will go away with a good support plan and helpful ‘calm kit’.

You should find it a calming, relaxing, safe and supportive environment.

The group will take place on Zoom - weekly on Tuesdays from 12:00-13:00, starting on 28 April 2020.

Sign up

 

Managing low mood – Mood boost

The mood boost course is all about learning new skills and tools which you can use to feel better, happier, more relaxed and confident and less sad, irritated or worried. This course runs over four weekly sessions and encourages you to try new tools and put them into practice so that you make a start on building new mood boost habits.

Course 4 (available via Zoom)
22 April 14:00 
29 April 14:00 
06 May 14:00 
13  May 14:00 

Look after your mate

Students often come to us with concerns about their friends and peers. This workshop, developed by Student Minds, will give you the necessary tips and tools to support a friend in need: spotting the signs that your friend is struggling, how to start a conversation and support them and when to signpost for further help - as well as looking after yourself in the process.

Dates and times

Unfortunately we’re only allowed to run Look After Your Mate face to face, and not online. Therefore, all of these courses have been postponed until we’re back on campus.


Mindfulness drop-in sessions

Feeling overwhelmed? 

Come along to one of our Wednesday lunchtime sessions and de-stress with mindfulness practice.

We will be running Zoom sessions on Wednesdays at 1.00pm on the following dates: 1 July, 15 July, 22 July and 29 July 2020.

Book your place 


Find out more about Mindfulness

"Do you get caught up in trains of endless thought?"

Often the running commentary in our heads takes us away from what is happening right now, and we get absorbed by worries about future or past events. When we feel low or anxious and stressed these states only get worse. 

Becoming more aware of our experience, our body sensations and our breathing in non-judgmental and gentle ways can help us get less caught up in our thoughts and feelings.

Men’s wellbeing group

Thursdays from 07.05.2020, 10:30, 90 minutes

An online weekly group with the aim of connecting, supporting and improving the well-being and mental health of male university of Plymouth students through peer support. The session is facilitated by male members of the universities mental health team and is open to all University of Plymouth students who identify as male. Upon registering students will receive a Zoom link via email so they are able to attend the group. 


Women’s wellbeing group

Thursdays from 07.05.2020, 12:00 noon, 60 minutes 

An invitation to join our new University of Plymouth women’s wellbeing group, a weekly online safe and uplifting space supporting and connecting women. Providing a warm and welcoming environment with aims of improving well-being, sharing skills and knowledge supporting each other. This space will be facilitated by women from the university’s mental health team. All self-identifying and non-binary students welcome. Upon registering students will receive a Zoom link via email so they are able to attend the group. 


Enhancing motivation

Mondays starting 11.05.2020, 11:00, 90 minutes 

Struggling with motivation whilst working from home? You’re not alone! This is a two part session via Zoom that will acknowledge some of the issues with working from home that can impact on your ability to work productively. We will be looking at ways other students are currently managing to stay motivated and how these could be used to improve your own mental wellbeing. This will include exploring ways to improve your working environment, how to create routine, ways to look after yourself holistically, to get the most out of your time and stay focused. The group will last up to 90 minutes (with a 5 minute break) and will run at the same time each week – it is a two part session, however you do not have to attend both weeks.

Upon registering students will receive a Zoom link via email so they are able to attend the group.

LGBT+ in isolation

Fridays from 15.05.2020, 11:00, 60 minutes

A chance for all LGBT+ students to gather online via Zoom and address some of the specific issues that are impacting on the wellbeing and mental health of students that identify as part of the LGBT+ community during isolation.  The group will run every week at the same time and will be facilitated by LGBT+ identifying members of staff and facilitators. The group aims to recognise that some members of the LGBT+ community will experience additional marginalisation and lack of support during COVID-19 and address these issues. This will be a supportive and non-judgemental atmosphere and topics raised by the group will be sensitively held by the group. The group will last 60 minutes and run at the same time every week during lockdown.

Upon registering students will receive a Zoom link via email so they are able to attend the group.

Managing stress and anxiety


All of us experience stress and anxiety from time to time. For some of us our stress and anxiety levels are more constant and can get in the way of healthy day to day functioning. 

Our managing stress and anxiety webinar shares some strategies to take with you and practice in your day to day life. Best of all it’s available to watch whenever and wherever you choose.

Student Wellbeing Services – Plymouth campus

+44 1752 587676

Student Hub, Charles Seale-Hayne Library, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA

Opening times: Monday–Friday, 8:30–17:00 (Wednesday open 10:00, Friday close 16:30)