University offers world-first immersive experience for students

The University of Wolverhampton is the first higher education institution to take delivery of a new immersive, multi-sensory space where people can go if they feel stressed or anxious or want to energise. 

The CUBBIE is part of the University’s £1.5 million investment in refurbishing its library facilities at its City Campus in Wolverhampton to improve the student experience. 

Work started at the beginning of summer to completely refurbish the ground and third floor of the Harrison Library, which has included creating a brand new, accessible Student Life Centre to house frontline help and support for students including giving them direct access to mental health and wellbeing, disability and inclusion, financial support, safeguarding, skills for learning and support to study.  

Cubbie is an immersive sensory space that helps regulate sensory stress through professional, tailor-made programs. The facility was designed with autistic and neurodivergent people in mind, but anyone can benefit from it when feeling stressed or anxious. 

Dr Clare Dickens, MBE, Associate Director – Student Life at the University, said: “We are the only university in the world, to have taken delivery of one of these sensory spaces and it’s all part of our focus in our new Strategy 2035 to improve the student experience with additional channels of support. 

“Cubbie offers sensory breaks that are timed and reliable, as they are tailored to each student and their needs. Sensory breaks are key in the routine of many students as they allow them to regulate and go back to their learning with full concentration, and we have been exploring ways that we create more of that opportunity within our physical campus locations. 

“In the new library space we are bringing a lot of our key student services including mental health and wellbeing, accessibility, disability and inclusion, safeguarding and finances together.  

“These services have always been available, but to access them students usually do this digitally and this project has brought those services front and centre. Students can walk in and get to know who they are, find out what they offer, and so having that physical presence will be really positive. 

“With the addition of our new Cubbie, we can really start to offer student, and staff, a space where they can really focus on reducing stress and anxiety in a relaxed and naturally controlled environment. This should be of great benefit to students, many of whom are in receipt of a wide range of support from our dedicated services. 

“We are really looking forward to exploring the potential with the Cubbie with reference to enhancing students’ exposure to it in a learning, teaching and assessment context. For example, the programmes are designed by a team of occupational therapists, and we run an Occupational Therapy course here so connecting our students to such innovations could be incredibly valuable.”  

Karen Armitage, Health Studies student and Senior Wellbeing Champion at the University, said: "This is really important because we've had a lot of student feedback to say they need sensory rooms or areas when they're feeling overwhelmed.  

"So that's the idea of the Cubbie, for students to take a bit of time out for themselves. It should have something that's going to make a difference." 

Lisa Vaughan, Master's Interpreting student, said: "It's a real investment in the students, in all of us. Any of us could come and use it to decompress after a tough day.  

“There has been a student feedback process and it's really great that the students are being listened to and having their needs met." 

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