What’s happening? 

The Priority: Exploring better provision for neurodivergent students on campus  

Originally this priority started with a focus on single person study spaces on campus and looked at helping students who may struggle working around others, are sensitive to noise or need a more private space to complete their work. Through our work on this priority however, we aim to find these single-person study spaces and make them available to students as well as look at what other areas could be improved or better equipped to help our students.  

Context: 

Students who struggle to work amongst noise, talking or distractions don’t have an appropriate and easily accessible place to study. This affects students who find it difficult to work from home as well as neurodivergent students that may require a particular space to complete their work. Improving these spaces and the wider services that are offered to students will help improve their academic experience as well as feelings of belonging and support. 

What we’ve achieved 

Key Outcomes: 

• Got the rooms in the Exchange courtyard refreshed with more neurodiverse friendly colour palette. 

• Penryn Library Refresh: As requested by students, there is now a 'tea point' that has been installed for them to be able to make hot and cold drinks.  

• There is also a new, calming support room behind the Helpdesk that has been painted in neurodiverse-friendly colours. 

• Created sensory bags available for students to loan out from the Student’s Union  

• Supplied noise cancelling ear defenders in the library  

By the Numbers: 

A Study Spaces survey was conducted in January 2025 by Falmouth and Exeter Student’s Union, which found that; “When asked what students would like from their ‘ideal’ study space, the most common answer amongst respondents was the inclusion of power sockets (90% for those on Falmouth campus and97% for Penryn Campus). Respondents also largely agreed that they would like individual spaces/rooms (59% for Falmouth campus; 63% for Penryn campus) and access to food & drink (62% for Falmouth campus;44% for Penryn campus)” 

Why this matters: 

This directly impacts the academic and social experience students have throughout their university journey. Improving these spaces can help students when it comes to studying, understanding their work and completing assignments. A better environment for all students creates an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere and can help relieve extra stress or pressure – imagine struggling with that one essay for months all because there’s not one space you can concentrate.  

What’s next? 

Immediate Next Steps: 

• Meeting with Exeter Library Services Manager, Sophie Wonnacott to discuss and research what methods and equipment have been useful for their students – Aisha Lord (VP Falmouth) and Izzy Brinkley (President Exeter) by 30 November. 

• Meeting with Stuart Gaslonde (Executive Director of FX Plus) and Laura Keam (Estates Development Manager) to discuss what spaces are already available and how we can improve on this - Aisha Lord (VP Falmouth) and Izzy Brinkley (President Exeter) by 28 November. 

• Aisha Lord (VP Falmouth) is actively completing research on the experience of neurodivergent students at Falmouth university which is informing ideas and campaigns around this priority.  

Accountability Check: Updates on these actions will be shared on the 4th of December at our second Forum session. 

Your Turn! 

Want to get involved? Here's how: 

1. Stay Updated: Instagram 

1. Make a change: Make A Change 

1. Take Action: Vote on proposals through Make A Change or make your own proposal! Talk to your reps, whether that be reps from your course or your SU Presidents - Find My Rep , Presidents . Attend ‘Collectives’ to make change for your community or come to forum Student Forum, where we discuss ongoing priority work and vote in proposals to either be actively worked on with allocated budget or worked on amongst other issues! If you want to see something changed, why not come have your say?  

Questions or ideas? Get in touch via email at Aisha.k.lord@thesu.org.uk or isabel.brinkley@thesu.org.uk - we'd love to hear from you.