What is the programme?
We See You strengthens recognition, belonging and support for service-connected communities across staff, students and the civic community in Portsmouth. We aim to bring together research, practice and lived experiences to improve our understanding of how the Armed Forces and other services shape identities and wellbeing.
We See You creates a space for dialogue between colleagues, civic partners and service-connected communities about recognition, belonging and understanding.
With a focus on practice and values, our purpose is to establish a greater understanding - leading to respectful practice, meaningful recognition and institutional responses that support dignity and belonging.
About the sessions
We offer training sessions consisting of two key strands; transition and identity, and nervous system regulation and adjustment.
Both sessions are designed to be delivered across contexts working with the University of Portsmouth student population, university colleagues and professional development with schools, colleges and public services.
Who we work with
At 55 minutes each, sessions are designed to be delivered with three different contexts in mind.
Initial teacher education and the student population
Who's it for?
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Student teachers and students
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Service children and families
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Veterans entering education
What do we focus on?
We look at understanding the experiences of service-connected students, supporting belonging within the university community and recognising the experiences of veterans transitioning into teaching.
University colleagues
Who's it for?
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Academic staff
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Professional service colleagues
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Leaders and managers
What do we focus on?
By increasing institutional awareness of service-connected communities, this allows us to support inclusive practices across teaching and leadership roles. By sharing insights and best-practice we are able to further recognise the experiences of colleagues and students with service backgrounds..
Civic continuing professional development
Who's it for?
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Schools and colleges
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Public services
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Civic and community organisations
What do we focus on?
We See You has a responsibility to support civic understanding of service-connected communities while developing professional awareness across sectors. Our hope with this project is to strengthen collaboration between the university and local organisations.
Our commitments
Giving service-communities a voice across the city is an important part of our work. We are fortunate to work with other organisations that recognise and support these communities.
Military service children
Portsmouth is a naval city and as such, we strive to offer extra support to military service children and their families. If you have served, or are currently serving in a branch of the British Armed Forces, you and your family are likely to be eligible for additional support while studying.
Armed Forces Covenant
We've signed the the Armed Forces Covenant - a pledge to honour the Armed Forces and support the Armed Forces Community.
Civic University
Explore how we're collaborating with local partners to widen opportunities, strengthen the economy and support our local communities.
Sessions on offer
Giving respect, recognition and dignity to Armed Forces, Veteran and Blue Light Communities
The central purpose of the session is to develop understanding of how service-related experiences shape identity, behaviour and wellbeing. It also highlights how universities, workplaces and civic institutions can respond with respect, recognition and dignity.
Programme structure
The session consists of two interconnected sessions. The first section explores sociocultural transition and identity. The second examines the human and physiological aspects of adjustment.
Each session is 55 minutes and can be booked separately although the most benefit would come from both sessions back-to-book.
Session one: Transition and identity
This section explores how individuals move between institutional contexts such as the Armed Forces, emergency services and civilian professions. The discussion focuses on how identity is formed within structured environments and how this identity may need to be renegotiated during transition.
Key themes include:
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Transition
Movement between institutional environments and civilian contexts where expectations, communication and hierarchy differ
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Recognition
Acknowledging the professional knowledge, skills and experiences developed through service
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Renegotiation
Understanding that transition does not involve replacing one identity with another. Individuals reinterpret previous experiences within a new professional field
This section connects with research on military to civilian transition and the ways in which prior experience is recognised within educational and professional environments.
Session two: Human regulation and adjustment
The second section focuses on the human and physiological aspects of transition. Experiences within the military and emergency services can shape patterns of response within the nervous system. Adjustment to new environments may therefore involve processes of recalibration.
Key themes include:
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Nervous system
High intensity operational environments shape patterns of alertness, response and decision making
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Mindfulness
Reflective practices that support awareness, emotional regulation and wellbeing
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Recalibration
Recognising that individuals may need time and support to adjust to new environments after extended periods in operational settings
This perspective complements the discussion of identity by focusing on embodied experience and psychological adjustment.
Civic news
University of Portsmouth marks 10 years of celebrating global culture with month-long festival
University of Portsmouth and PFC name scholarship winners - supporting local young people with their careers
Portsmouth residents urged to help close England's 5 billion litre water gap
Recognise excellence across Portsmouth: Nominations open for the University’s Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence 2026
Book a session
Interested? Please fill in the form linked below to discuss booking a session for your institution or team.
We also encourage you to connect with us on LinkedIn for the latest updates and to meet with other individuals to share insight and best practice.