News and events

Dyslexia/Disability Drop in week

Monday 14th January to Friday 18th January 2013

Learning Gateway, Ground Floor, Roland Levinksy Building

9.30am to 4.00pm

Come to a special presentation to find out more about support that is available to you: Tuesday 15th January, 3pm – 5pm in RLB 209

Do you have a disability or medical condition that you have never declared? Have you ever wondered if you are dyslexic? Do you know what support is on offer during your studies? We would like to invite you to come and meet the Learning Support and Wellbeing team during our drop-in week. Members of the Disability Assist team will be able to answer any queries you may have, such as can I get support for my disability or medical condition? How do I apply for funded support (DSA), study skills support, exam provisions, being reassessed or just to say ‘hello’. In addition to offering confidential advice on dyslexia you can complete a computerised or a one-to-one dyslexia screening to see if you appear to be ‘at risk’. We can also give you advice about other Specific Learning Difficulties and disabilities such as: Developmental Co-ordination Disorder/Dyspraxia; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); Autistic Spectrum Disorder; Prosopagnosia/face blindness; Dyscalculia etc. I do hope we see you there, just drop in at any time. If you don’t get to see us that week, you are obviously very welcome to come to our reception at the Learning Gateway with your queries at any time. Amano will also be demonstrating equipment during the week, so try and pop in and see the latest technology

ADHD Support Group

Do you have ADHD? Or do you think that you may have?

You are very welcome to join us at the Plymouth University ADHD Support Group. We are a small, friendly group who meet each week during term-time and focus on various ADHD related topics such as disclosure, memory, group work, interactive reading, stress management etc. There is also time for swapping coping strategies, sharing resources, supporting each other and asking for advice.

When: Monday 5pm to 6.30pm

Where: The Learning Gateway, 011 Roland Levinsky Building

You are very welcome, even if you do not wish to attend regularly. There is no need to book.

If you have any questions, please contact Sally Agobiani on sally.agobiani@plymouth.ac.uk

Useful tips and links are available at ADHD

For more events check out the University Events web page

What's on in the Learning Gateway...

Learning Gateway Roland Levinsky Building

Claro Drop in for Staff and Students

The Learning Gateway is happy to welcome Claro back for another year to provide help and support to students and staff, the sessions proved so successful last year that we have been able to increase the number of days they are here this year.

Claro are happy to confirm that the sessions available to students, academics & Claro consultants will now run as below from September 2012

Tuesday Rob Whitby 12.30 – 4pm

Wednesday Sarah Hutchings 12.30 - 4pm

Thursday Mel Morgan 12.30 – 4pm

In addition to this Claro will also have a private office space in Portland Mews where they can also meet with people if necessary. These need to be by appointment and booked direct through the Claro main office on +44 (0)1822 618132.

Superhumans - a New Wave

A short documentary featuring a Plymouth wheelchair rugby team has been getting a global audience online.

The film, called Superhumans - a New Wave, features former Plymouth Albion community coach Chris Perkins alongside the players.

Chris explains how the team began, how the sport works and how the players have ambitions for national league and paralympic performances.

The players tell their stories, why they enjoy the sport, and show their skills.

Plymouth Storm Wheelchair Basket Ball Club

A free 6 week taster course started on 12th March 2012. So if you know of any people interested please get them to email info@plymouthstorm.org.uk call mobile number 07867380975 and ask for Aaron Blyth-palk at Plymouth storm

Access South West with Plymouth University

Based at 3 Portland Mews in the Plymouth University campus, Access South West specialises in the provision of course related needs assessments for students eligible for DSA (Disabled Students’ Allowances).

Access South West is the region’s largest needs assessment centre, offering an experienced, efficient and friendly service.

Once your funding body has confirmed your eligibility for DSA, they will send you a letter asking you to arrange an assessment. When you receive this letter please contact us (our contact details are shown below).

There are no tests, just a relaxed and friendly discussion where your study needs can be discussed in confidence. Suitable equipment is available and there will be opportunities for this to be demonstrated and/or trialed.

Following the assessment the assessor will produce a report, detailing the recommendations discussed in the assessment, which will be sent to your funding body, but not the college or university unless you give permission to do so. Information in the report is used by the funding body to determine the nature and extent of your award. Typically your funding body will inform you of your award in 3-4 weeks of receiving the report from our assessors.

To book an assessment with Access South West, you can call us on: 01752 587662 or alternatively email us at: Plymouth@access-southwest.co.uk

Text: 07537 410 028

Type Talk: If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can Typetalk to call . Dial 18001 followed by 01752 587 662

Address: 3 Portland Mews, Plymouth University, Plymouth, PL4 8AA

Website: www.access-southwest.co.uk

Mark Doyle, Assessment Centre Manager Direct Tel: 01752 587655

Learning Development Team

The Learning Development team work with students and staff to develop skills for learning. With students, they aim to inspire and empower you to think critically and creatively, to achieve your best and to enjoy your studies.

They provide one-to-one and group tutorials in the Learning Gateway, a Drop-in Zone in the library, email support , online feedback, taught sessions within programmes or by student request, and online resources.

They aim to work developmentally with all students. This means that they might focus on one particular assignment or challenge in order to help you address the bigger/wider/deeper issues affecting you throughout your study. This is likely to take the form of one-off or few interventions to encourage autonomy rather than regular, on-going support for individuals To book an appointment ring 01752 587676

University Campus

PALS@Plymouth

A pilot peer assisted learning scheme called PALS@Plymouth was launched in September 2011. This provides opportunities for students to work informally in group sessions run by more experienced students on their course to reinforce and discuss their learning. The PALS leaders (second or third year students) from Psychology, Chemistry, Computing Fast-track and Law, have all undertaken leader training. They work in pairs, offering support to groups of first and second year students to supplement other activities such as lectures and tutorials and are intended to be fun, informal and friendly. The scheme is coordinated by the Learning Development team.

Further programmes have been set up for PALS in 2012 and members of staff interested in establishing PALS in the future can email pals@plymouth.ac.uk or phone Carolyn on 01752 587931 to discuss the scheme in more detail.

New online forum for students with M.E.

With funding from the Network for Social Change, Action for M.E. last year created a Student Hub which provides online information and support for students and potential students with M.E. entering higher education - http://www.actionforme.org.uk/children-and-young-people/student-hub

This is a key part of their Online M.E. Centre, which launched last July www.actionforme.org.uk

They are now pleased to announce the launch of a free interactive Student Hub Forum http://www.actionforme.org.uk/get-involved/join-a-discussion-forum/student-hub-forum which gives students with M.E. valuable access to peer support and friendship.