{"id":204,"date":"2025-01-15T16:44:38","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T16:44:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/?p=204"},"modified":"2025-01-15T16:48:22","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T16:48:22","slug":"exploring-student-spaces-in-the-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/2025\/01\/15\/exploring-student-spaces-in-the-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring student spaces in the city"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Virgil<\/p>\n

Before the winter break started, I was lucky enough to take a tour with Jane Loveys (Director, Campus Services) of some of our off-campus spaces in Bath City. As staff, we often focus on services and support available to students on our campus but given that the majority of our students live elsewhere in the city, it is important that we consider our off campus offer as well.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For a long time, we have offered spaces and services in the city for our students, but over the last 12 to 18 months there has been a coordinated effort when developing or changing city spaces to try and make them as student and staff-friendly as possible, meeting the varied needs of our community. This is primarily down to Jane and the Campus Services teams (perhaps a rebranding is needed to reflect the many off-campus elements!?) who have worked closely with the Students\u2019 Union on many of the changes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We started our tour at the Virgil Building with its vibrant new mural at the entrance (see photo above) that is by the same artist who did the artwork at the entrance of the Library. It certainly brightens up the space and it was great to see how all the spaces and furnishings within the building had been adapted to meet the variety of student needs... Flexible group study spaces that could be booked and adapted easily (think chairs and whiteboards on wheels) depending on the group's needs, to computer rooms, quieter study spaces with height adjustable desks and plenty of power points, to more social relaxed spaces too, it seemed to have an option for everyone\u2019s study needs. The students we spoke to certainly seemed happy and appreciated somewhere comfortable in the city they could study away from their own house without coming up the hill!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We also got the chance to look in on the new space for cue sports in Virgil, relocated over the summer from Dartmouth Avenue. It certainly looked impressive and like it had always been its home, with great lighting and plenty of space. Some of the committee members happened to be there and were very happy with the new location. You can read more about what moved from Dartmouth over the summer in the SU news item here: <\/span>Off Campus Space<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Our next stop on the tour was to see the new space in the Scala building in Oldfield Park. After popping into the new office space of the Student Community Partnership team, we found our way to the fantastic open space above the Co-Op, adjacent to the new Scala Accommodation. The spacious area is available for booking by student groups for a wide range of activities, coordinated via The SU. Combat sports have been using the space a lot, but the great thing about it is the flexibility to change it depending on the needs of the group and activity. We have already started to see the benefits of having such a great space in the heart of Oldfield Park that can be used by students but also the wider local community. The recent <\/span>present wrapathon<\/span><\/a> was held in Scala, and I also attended a<\/span> Student Councillors Forum<\/span><\/a>, organised by The SU.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The final part of the tour touched on the three newly developed \u2018Accommodation Hubs\u2019 in the city located at Aquila Court, John Wood, and Green Park. These are designed to give a focal point for all students living in city university residences, where they can go with any accommodation-related enquiries but also with spaces for studying, socialising, and ResLife activities. So even if you live in one of the other accommodation buildings you have a communal space nearby to utilise. For example, students living in Thornbank Gardens and Scala would go to Aquila Court, while students in Carpenter House could go to John Wood.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I am hopeful all these changes will help students build even more of a sense of community in the city and I look forward to seeing how these spaces are utilised by colleagues and students going forward. It also strikes me how the layout and design of our spaces on and off-campus can contribute to how they are used and the wellbeing of the users, especially when we want to be inclusive and build community. This strongly aligns with our ambitions for <\/span>Be Well at Bath<\/span><\/a> and the \u2018Live\u2019 domain from the University Mental Health Charter.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you find yourself near to any of the spaces mentioned, take the opportunity to pop in and have a look!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Find out more about this topic:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n