Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) specialist – Future Generation by Southern Grove – announces that it will offer pet-friendly student accommodation from September 2021 at its Guilden Village PBSA which officially launched on 12 August 2021. The PBSA specialist aims to promote better mental health and wellbeing amongst its residents by allowing students to bring along their furry friends.
The move comes as universities welcome students back to campus for the new academic year following the Covid-19 pandemic, which took an untold toll on many young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
“We strive to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to the accommodation we provide, and we know how much pets have helped young people through this past eighteen months of isolation, loneliness and fear.
“That’s why we’ve made all of our studios pet friendly – because we understand that living alone for the first time, in a new place can take some adjustment. Having a friendly, furry face to come home to every day will hopefully make the transition easier for those who choose to bring along their companion. Our studios provide ample space for most small pets – because of course, we have to consider their welfare and wellbeing too.”
Jack Smith from Future Generation
According to the Mental Health Foundation, teenagers’ mental health is under severe pressure due to the pandemic, so Future Generation were serious about looking at ways they could help their residents.
Research shows the companionship that a pet offers is a great way to reduce anxiety, stress and depression – as well as other mental health experiences. Last year, evidence gathered by the University of York and the University of Lincoln found that 90% of 6,000 respondents said their pet helped them cope emotionally with lockdown.
“We’re passionate about providing our students with a luxury, unique living experience and genuinely care about what’s important to them. Future Generation accommodation is so much more than bricks and mortar; we create aspirational living spaces where those who live with us flourish and thrive. I know that allowing our students to bring their pets along will help them better adjust to life away from home and the pressures of uni life.”
Jack Smith from Future Generation
Guilden Village, Stoke Park in Guildford has been described as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Britain’s booming PBSA sector – and is the latest evolution of student living for the company.
The new student accommodation building includes 533 student rooms which all feature Samsung smart TVs and antibacterial air-conditioning. Amenities include a state of the art Morsia gym from renowned fitness vlogger Matt Morsia (AKA MattDoesFitness), a cinema room, a fleet of bicycles to for students to borrow, 1GBps Broadband, 24-hour security, mini golf, an outdoor fitness trail, private dining rooms and study rooms.
