Uni open day offers plenty of solutions

FROM arts and crafts to fitness tips and first aid training, thousands of visitors took part in the University of Plymouth's biggest ever Open House event.

Each year the university stages the free fun day for anyone who wants to sample the range of activities on campus.

DISPLAYS: Top, Christina Man, dietetics section student, studies food fat samples. Above, Cornwall College teacher helps Nicola Martin, eight. Below left, Troy Holt, 10, gets dentistry tips. Right, student nurse Naomi Blaikie demonstrates resuscitation

But this year's healthy living-themed event was a resounding success, say organisers, attracting almost twice as many visitors as last year.

The colourful festivities were staged in the university's flagship Roland Levinsky Building and offered something for everyone – from toddlers to pensioners.

Cookery demonstrations, advice on growing your own food and even tips on dental hygiene were on offer.

There were also Wii Fit sessions, live jazz, dance performances and plenty of information on adult learning.

Interactive information stands were on display, visitors could take advantage of guided tours or relax in the Southside Café.

Organiser Sarah O'Leary, the university's active in communities co-ordinator, said the main aim of the day was to reach out to the community and promote the facilities on offer at the university.

She said: "The main thing we wanted to do was to make it as open and as socially inclusive as possible.

"It's really important to us that we support our local residents' groups and show people what is open to them: the café, the arts, the cinema.

"We also want people to explore the higher education route – ultimately our aim is to ensure people feel enabled and we are very, very pleased with how the event went."

Miss O'Leary said more than 2,000 people had visited the campus for Saturday's event, up from 1,200 last year and around 750 when the event was launched the year before.

"It is growing," she added. "We've had a meeting about next year's event already so the plan is to make it bigger and better again."

The university works closely with the Mutley Greenbank Trust and visitors to the Open House event were even able to contribute towards the planning of the next Mutley Greenbank Festival.

Part of this year's Plymouth Summer Festival programme, the event was also aimed at encouraging charities and voluntary organisations to work in partnership with the university.