UPP

We are delighted to announce that UPP are finalists in The Investors in People Awards 2024 for the 'Award for UK Employer of the Year: Gold (250+)'!! We have been recognised for demonstrating a commitment to empowering people, creating meaningful workplaces, and delivering exceptional results! Congratulations to everyone shortlisted, we look forward to the awards on the 13th November!

Deputy Residence Director Justin Milward values the contribution of student employees at the UPP Reading campus. As new students are moving into UPP accommodation across the country, find out more about job opportunities for students, perfect for flexible working hours that can be tailored to fit around students’ university schedules: "Having Reading students join us for the summer is incredibly helpful, especially during the busy intake and outtake period. They value the flexible work arrangements, and we’re pleased to offer them experiences that enhance their CVs. It’s always a pleasure to welcome them back year after year. Our student postal assistants, who stay with us throughout the year, are a fantastic addition to our team and often started as summer assistants before transitioning into this permanent role." https://bit.ly/3XfUr3a

We have a great opportunity for a Building Safety Manager to work as part of the Hard FM, Fire and Building Safety Team to provide specialist Building Safety advice to UPP and their partners. Ensuring the highest possible Building Safety standards, Building Safety policy outcomes and regulatory requirements are met. This is a home based role with travel to our university sites across the UK. Find out more and apply for this role: https://bit.ly/4e3npKK

We are delighted to announce that UPP are finalists in the Property Week – Student Accommodation Awards 2024! - Operator of the Year (UK only) - Inclusion in Student Accommodation - PropTech Solution of the Year These nominations show the continued support we provide not only to our University Partners, but our Student Residents, ensuring their experience with us is the very best we can make it during their time at university. Congratulations to everyone shortlisted and we look forward to seeing you there! Watch out for more news on our exciting panel session during the conference!

"At UPP, I’ve been given the opportunity to experience a variety of roles and I’ve gained so much from one job. I’ve gained transferable skills in customer service and data management, which will be invaluable post university. Great experience to add to my CV." Students living at our Reading campus have thrived in employee roles, as they have taken the chance to earn and work flexibly alongside their studies. Find out more about what job opportunities there are for students on campus and why it's the perfect fit: https://bit.ly/3XfUr3a

"As a student rep, the role is flexible, and work is often in the evenings. This works perfectly with my studies and ensures that I have time to prioritise my assignments. Also, it’s great to see friendships blossom at the events and see first years settle into university life." As well as providing safe, welcoming accommodation for thousands of students across the country, UPP also offers them flexible, rewarding work. Opportunities at our Reading campus include front of house, post room and helpdesk roles, giving students the opportunity to earn money and get valuable work experience. Find out more about what students think about working while living at UPP accommodation: https://bit.ly/3XfUr3a

We were pleased to attend the Universities UK conference last week and speak to many senior University leaders about the challenges they face, the road ahead and how UPP can support them. We were proud to host a discussion on the role universities can play in delivering economic growth, exploring how political geography helps and hinders this. Alongside our panel members Tom Yearley, Paul Boyle, the Vice Chancellor of Swansea University, Dr Diana Beech, the CEO of London Higher and Rosalind Gill, Director of Policy at The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB), we discussed the connection between net zero and economic opportunity, while setting out the ways in which UPP support this agenda. Our team were able to showcase creative ways we can sustainably develop, redevelop, retrofit and remodel university estates to meet the changing estate needs of the future. At the conference Universities were encouraged to look at sector shared services models, which could drive further cost and time efficiencies. At a time of real financial pressure for the sector, UPP is ready to support new and existing partners with innovative ways to manage their estates.

We have collaborated with Nottingham Trent University's Sustainability team to deliver the Big Clear Out programme, encouraging students to donate unwanted items rather than discarding them when they live their accommodation. Thanks to the amazing work by everyone involved in the Big Clear Out, 1.5 tonnes of food has been donated to Himmah, a social justice organisation whose mission is to tackle food poverty. NTU Sustainability and the Big Clear Out have now been nominated for a Green Gown Award. Click the link below to find out more: https://bit.ly/47l5ehe

“UPP will be playing a vital role over the next decade and more as we plan our future.” Universities across the country are dealing with financial challenges. In this short video, Vice Chancellor of Lancaster University Andy Schofield says the institution has a fantastic future ahead of them, in no small part thanks to UPP covering their accommodation needs. This allows the university to invest in research and key people as they look to the future. We’re looking forward to many more years working in close partnership with the University of Lancaster. 

As students have moved out of our accommodation for the year and we are preparing for the intake of new arrivals, we are looking back over what students and staff have done to look after their environment. Students and staff in Reading have worked hard, taking concrete action to reduce waste during the moving out period. Facilitated by the site team, Reading students have donated their unwanted and unused items to the British Heart Foundation as they move out of UPP accommodation. In April, May, and June this year the Reading site donated 1,148 bags of items, raising an amazing total of £21,270! Meanwhile Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK) visited 8 UPP sites, running sustainability initiatives, conducting waste audits and encouraging students to think about what they can do to be more sustainable. They carried out recycling audits in student residences, providing a visual check of student recycling and waste segregation, showing what more can be done and providing a greater understanding of recycling habits. Thanks to SOS-UK for running action weeks in UPP halls and supporting all of our efforts to be more sustainable.