University of Portsmouth students and staff joined forces with the Final Straw Foundation for a series of beach cleans, collecting 132kg of litter.
Students, Staff and Sustainability: University Joins Forces for Community Beach Cleans
As part of the University of Portsmouth’s ongoing commitment to civic engagement and environmental responsibility, students and staff have teamed up with local charity Final Straw Foundation to take action on plastic pollution through a series of community clean-up events.
Over the past few months, three beach and community cleans have been delivered in collaboration with Final Straw Foundation, a Hampshire-based charity that works to highlight the impact of plastic pollution on our environment and to try to minimise the amount of plastic entering our local seas and wider oceans.
One event was led by International College Portsmouth (ICP), and the other two were organised by the University’s Careers and Employability Service, with the most recent clean run in partnership with the Student Wellbeing Service to mark the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, which this year carries the theme of ‘Community’.
These cleans are more than just a tidy-up. They offer students the opportunity to connect with the local area, build a sense of belonging, and support Portsmouth’s goal to be a cleaner, more sustainable city. Volunteering for initiatives like these helps students meet new people, improve wellbeing, and feel part of something bigger.
Across the three events, participants collected a fantastic 132 kilograms of rubbish. From plastic bottles to packaging waste, every item removed from local beaches and commons represents a step towards protecting wildlife and promoting environmental stewardship.
This collaboration saw 51 students, ICP staff, and University staff from different departments, all coming together to support the Final Straw Foundation with a lasting impact.
“It was great to see such enthusiasm and teamwork from our students. These events are a brilliant example of how volunteering can benefit both people and the planet,” said Rachel Stone, Volunteering and Community Engagement Officer at the University of Portsmouth.
Find more information on advertising volunteering opportunities, how to get involved in volunteering as University student or the Feel Good Week programme of events, on the University’s website.