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. 

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.

Sign up

Calm and Zoom recorded sessions

Watch our previous sessions at your convenience.

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 start dates (available via Zoom)

Please select each date to access the sign up for the four week course.

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

  • 9 October 11:00 
  • 20 November 11:00

These sessions will be held online. If interested in attending please sign up for the session.

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. 


LGBTQ+ wellbeing group

Thursday’s, 10:00am, 60 minutes (same time every week)

A chance for all LGBT+ students, or those with initial questions about sexuality or gender identity to gather online via Zoom and address some of the specific issues that are impacting on their wellbeing and to feel heard. 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 provide a safe space for students to discuss some of their problems and share ways of coping during ever-changing uncertain times.

This will be a supportive and non-judgemental atmosphere and topics raised by the group will be sensitively held by the group. We ask for confidentiality in the group, you don’t have to be ‘out’ or claim an identity to attend. The group will last 60 minutes and run at the same time every week.

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)