How do we build belonging at university?

The transition to university is a critical time to build belonging, combat loneliness and support positive mental health.

The U-Belong campaign aims to unite the student community in sharing experiences, guidance, and resources to promote a better social experience for all so that every student can feel like they belong at university.

We want all students to benefit from our research findings, that:

• At times of significant change to our social network, like moving to university, feelings of loneliness are normal and common.

• Loneliness can serve as a signal, encouraging us to invest time and effort into our social connections.

• There are many ways of building social connections; university provides an opportunity to socialise in a way that works for you and discover your people.

As part of the campaign, we are developing the U-Belong toolkit, crafted in collaboration with students, professionals, and organisations. This toolkit will provide personalised guidance, access to co-created tools, and the opportunity to join student-led discussion groups.