Higher Education Funding Council for England

Planet Too

Planet Too empowers students to become leaders and create change.

To achieve this, the project establishes student led sustainable businesses to create income for future projects. This in turn boosts employability through practical experience and positive impacts on the university and the local Northampton community. The project also strives to help students save money, improve welfare and become more energy efficient in student housing through Student Switch Off+ as well as other offshoot projects.

Some of the projects around campus include an allotment and garden where students can grow their own food called Food for Thought; an on-campus microbrewery to cultivate locally sourced alcohol, and a bike lending scheme - all of which is led by students.

At the end of its first year, Planet Too had secured:

  • 782 students engaged in project with all 6 schools, all SU staff and 31 university staff
  • 300 green house kits distributed
  • 50 student houses participating in Student Switch Off+
  • 26 sustainability grants
  • Student-led Businesses – bike rental, microbrewery, Food For Thought garden
  • Silver Award Green Impact

Planet Two is developing sustainable income from the student businesses to create a cycle and fund new projects. It's recruiting a powerful and passionate group of 100 Sustainability Changemakers as well as expanding Student Switch Off to cover 120 student houses. Other targets include piloting the Green House Awards with local landlords, overseeing the creation of new student businesses, and achieve a gold award in Green Impact.

Perhaps most importantly of all, it looks to the future, at how the University of Northampton Students’ Union will integrate the ideals and legacy of Planet Too for years to come.

 
 
 
University of Northampton Students’ Union
£254,002 
http://www.northamptonunion.com/planettoo/