Building on the success of Drake’s Place Gardens and Reservoir, which were restored as a community space in 2014, Plymouth University has launched a new project to encourage people to become more engaged with life on the city centre campus.
The ‘come on in’ campaign comes hot on the heels of recent community events such as the Lord Mayor’s Day parade and the Big Festival Weekend, which have attracted thousands of visitors. It offers a gateway to a rich heritage and biodiversity for all to explore.
From a ‘do it yourself’ campus tour to contemporary art exhibitions at the Roland Levinsky Building’s Peninsula Arts Gallery, and performances from resident and touring companies in the state-of-the-art building The House, there are a number of events and activities open to people of all ages, all-year-round.
The Centre of Eyecare Excellence (CEE) offers members of the public free eye tests all year round, performed by optometry students under the supervision of trained experts, while parents can bring their children along to the world-renowned Babylab to help researchers understand how the mind works.
Tracy Wilson, External Relations Manager at Plymouth University, said:
“People don’t always realise that they are genuinely welcome on campus and that there are a whole host of opportunities to engage with us here at Plymouth University. You can participate in our academic research, attend an event or use our cafes. And for those who want to be even more involved, our partners, community and fundraising groups are always keen to welcome new members.”
The library, Careers and Employability Service and business incubation facilities are all open for the public to use as well as the retail outlets including an on-site shop, a pharmacy, a cash machine and a selection of cafés with a barbeque overlooking the reservoir every Thursday during the summer months.
Professor David Coslett, Interim Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Plymouth University, said:
“We've invested hundreds of millions of pounds into our campus over the past decade, and it's important to us that the people of Plymouth and the South West feel that this is their campus as well. We genuinely want visitors to come on in to explore our campus, attend events, connect with our staff and students, and stop to enjoy the facilities we provide."