*This department runs many of our [[Importance of Extracurricular activities on retention, graduate outcomes, and connectiveness]]* ## Purpose - Opportunities and Wellbeing should address the following [[Barriers to learning at the University of Salford]]: - Social Isolation/ [[Loneliness]] - Mental and physical ill-health - The belief HE isn't worth it- see [[Employability]] - Develops [[Social Capital]] and [[Cosmopolitanism is about being at ease in many different places and cultures|cosmopolitanism]]. ## Aims - Every HE student to take part in high quality opportunities beyond the formal curriculum, led by [[Higher Education Students|students]] - This means inclusive opportunities for all - [[Source - How Student Activities and Opportunities Help Skills Development|Skills development]] for all participants, especially those who lead the clubs and societies, to enable [[Employability]] and [[Enterprise]]. This can then facilitate [[Entrepreneurship]]. ## Outputs - Improved student outcomes - see [[Student Groups = Retention MOC]] - Student-led activities - Student growth and development - An inclusive student experience for all - A [[Sticky Campus]] ## Impacts (see University of Life Report) - Develop non-academic skills that employers value just as much as academic skills - Being an office holder or student representative are all associated with better graduate outcomes - Graduates are more likely to have a graduate-level job - Improved sense of connection to others - Middle class students more engaged compared to working class students- explaining the differential in outcomes? ## Services - [[Sports Clubs]] - [[Student Societies]] - [[Give It A Go]] - [[Student Volunteering]] ## Challenges 1. [[Barriers to participating in extracurricular activities]] 2. [[Student Cost of Living Crisis 2022 onwards]] causing students to prioritise work. [[University of Life Report]] says participation decreasing even before the pandemic. ## Useful Theories ### Social Capital theory - Bridging Capital- meeting people not like themselves - Bonding capital- meeting people like themselves. We need to cultivate opportunities for students to both! ### EAST Model The [[EAST Model of Behaviour Change]] can be really helpful for these departments. ## Meetings - [[Catch up with the Opportunities Team 23.04.2024]] -