Ulster University’s Residential Life team has, once again, won at this year’s Global Student Living Awards, collecting the gong for Best Student Wellbeing in accommodation in UK and Ireland in 2023.
The University had also been shortlisted in two other award categories - for Best Moving In Experience (UK & Ireland) and Best Student Community (UK & Ireland).
The Global Student Living Awards are unique, as they don’t take written nominations and there are no ‘expert’ judges. All awards are based 100% on direct feedback from tens of thousands of students around the world, across 200 universities and colleges every year, making these awards uniquely credible and highly prized.
Services provided by the Res Life team for on-campus living:
The Residential Life team provides quality purpose-built student accommodation and living support for students on campus.
ResLife provides a 24/7 wrap around service which include at night and at weekends Res Life Coordinators (RLCS) who develop a sense of community by organising a range of events and activities to ensure students are isolated or lonely. They also respond to critical incidents throughout the night and at weekends sensitively and professionally signposting students to the Wellbeing Service and appropriate statutory services.
In addition, Night Support Assistants (NSAs) are available throughout the night on campus to deal with health and safety issues, provide a reception service to students/visitors, and they also have a disciplinary role ensuring that residents behave in a considerate manner.
Resident Assistants (RAs) are also available to offer support. These posts are filled by experienced students who are trained in health and safety and are there to help by providing peer support on issues such as homesickness, isolation, loneliness, and signpost residents to the appropriate support services available within the University.
Amanda Castray, Director of Campus Life, said:
“I would like to commend everyone in Residential Life on this recent success at the 2023 Global Student Living Awards.
“The Award is based on direct feedback from Ulster University students staying in our accommodation, which makes these awards so much more special and valued by everyone in the team. The team work tirelessly to support the wellbeing of our student residents, and I am proud that those efforts are recognised with this Global Student Living Award.”
Gareth Kennedy, Head of Residential Life, said:
“To win the 2023 Global Student Living Award for Best Student Wellbeing, for universities and colleges in the UK and Ireland, is an amazing honour and this award recognises the quality of the support provided to our students and their wellbeing while living in student accommodation on our campuses.
“We are constantly looking at how we can improve the services we provide and through our Res Life Coordinators, Night Support Assistants and Resident Assistants, we can ensure that a full team of support is available before our students move in, when they move in and during their time with us.”
The Winners of the UK & Ireland and European Awards were announced on stage as part of the GSL Live ’23 event held in London in October.
Details of the UK and Ireland 2023 winners and finalists are available at https://gsl.news/awards/uk-and-ireland/2023-awards/
GSL Gold Certification for Ulster University’s Residential Life Services:
In 2022, Ulster University also received the Global Student Living GOLD Certification for the UK region. This certification is based on meeting set thresholds within each of the 7 metrics make up the GSL Index Score (Condition & Quality, Bedroom, Value for Money, Care & Support, Recycling & Environmental Facilities, Overall Management and Internet).