Pet-friendly PBSA scheme to help with mental health and wellbeing

PBSA specialist, Future Generation by Southern Grove, is offering pet-friendly student accommodation from September 2021 at its site in Guildford.

The move comes as universities welcome students back to campus for the new academic year following the pandemic, which took an unprecedented toll on many young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Speaking on the decision to go pet-friendly, Jack Smith of Future Generation comments: “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.”

With research from Mental Health Foundation showing teenagers’ mental health is under severe pressure due to the pandemic, Smith adds: “It made sense to seriously look at how we, as an accommodation provider, could help.”

Further studies show the companionship that a pet offers is a great way to reduce anxiety, stress and depression as well as other mental health experiences, and 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.

Smith continues: “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.”

Guilden Village, Stoke Park in Guildford officially opened on August 12 2021 and has been described as the 'jewel in the crown' of Britain's booming PBSA sector. 

The new student accommodation building boasts features such as Samsung smart TVs in each of its 533 rooms, a state of the art Morsia gym from renowned fitness vlogger Matt Morsia (AKA MattDoesFitness), a cinema room, antibacterial air-conditioning in every room, a fleet of bicycles for students to borrow, 1GBps Broadband, 24-hour security, mini-golf, an outdoor fitness trail, private dining rooms, study rooms and off-street parking.