Everything that LUU does is for you.
When deciding our goals for 2022-2026, we listened to thousands of students to understand what mattered most to them.
You told us about rising living costs, the impact of global events, the need for inclusive spaces, and the importance of feeling connected and finding your community on campus.
In response, we’ve focused our work on supporting financial security, investing in areas of importance to you, and creating opportunities for students to belong.
Guided by our mission ‘Together, we’ll make sure you love your time at Leeds,’ we’ve made real progress in building an inclusive, vibrant, and supportive student community.
Fuelling your passions
Whatever students want to do, we’re here to help them achieve it- to find their people, discover new interests, make a difference, learn new skills, and reach their potential.
Last year, we supported over 5,000 students through Essentials, providing access to basic needs and financial support.
More than 3,000 students also booked a free breakfast, helping ease the pressures of exams and the cost of living.
In 2025, over £3 million was paid to students through LUU and Joblink roles, supporting students financially while creating opportunities to gain skills, experience, and community.
Alongside part-time work, we also regularly collaborate with our clubs and societies- giving them opportunities to thrive.
Watch the video below to hear from Rhys and Erin from Leeds Stage Musicals Society about their involvement in one of our biggest events of the year, Leeds Ball.
Inspiring you to be your best self
We want to help every student to shine. Students told us that mental health and wellbeing are top priorities, so we work to help everyone feel well, confident, celebrated, and safe.
Over the last year, 27,737 students took part in physically active clubs and societies, that’s more than double the number reported the previous year.
More than 2,000 students joined our trips, and 107,874 students attended events ranging from craft sessions to Leeds Ball.
We also helped 8,000 students get home safely through our night bus service, making sure that students can enjoy campus life in a supportive and secure environment. Most importantly, making sure that they feel safe and comfortable.
Watch the video below to hear from Matty about how LUU helps students prioritise their wellbeing, build confidence, and celebrate who they are.
Creating a celebrated, fun, and lively community
With over 39,000 students in one of the UK’s best cities, we want to ensure everyone has opportunities to connect, build community, and feel at home. Hard work from our student communities, LUU staff, and University of Leeds partners have helped us to achieve enormous impact this year.
We’re part of a diverse community of over 39,000 students, and we’re committed to creating opportunities for students to connect, belong, and build lasting friendships.
Over the last year, we delivered more than 43,000 club and society memberships, opening the door to new communities and shared experiences.
Through our Give it a Go programme, over 13,000 students were able to try activities for free, led by our student groups.
Student representation and volunteering are vital to our community. In 2025, we supported over 5,600 student volunteers, helping students shape change, develop skills, and ensure student voices are heard.
Watch the video below to hear from Shivani, our Education Officer, about one of LUU’s most impactful and exciting projects, The Diversity Blog.
Achieving Excellence
We’re also proud that our work and values have been formally recognised at a national level.
LUU was named Best University for Clubs and Societies by StudentCrowd, became a National Winner at the NUS Best Bar None Awards, and ranked in the Top 100 Inclusive Workplaces in the UK by the Centre for Diversity — recognition that reflects our commitment to inclusion at the heart of everything we do.
New initiatives and changes made
2025 was a year of change and innovation, with the launch of several new initiatives and services.
We opened the Liberation Hub, a dedicated space for students to celebrate identity, culture, and community.
We introduced Gryphons Get Active, supporting students to be more physically active, with a focus on women, people of colour, and post-graduate students.
We also committed to becoming an Endo-Friendly Union and Employer, addressing women’s health and reducing stigma in the workplace.
We continued to listen closely to student needs, publishing 37 insight reports in 2025 alone on issues ranging from student employment to safety.
We also expanded our impact beyond campus, contributing to the Renters’ Rights Bill, passed into law in 2025 following local MP Alex Sobel’s attendance at LUU’s Let’s Talk About event in 2023. These changes mean limits on upfront rent payments, stronger housing standards for student accommodation, and greater protections against unfair rent increases.
Alongside this, we partnered with SASHA Society to develop the SASHA Accreditation Programme, supporting clubs and societies to prevent sexual assault and harassment.
We’re proud to announce that LUU Men’s Rugby Union became our first ever SASHA-accredited society. Watch the video below to hear from club committee members Spike and Patrick about their experience with the SASHA accreditation process.
Three years of change
Over the past three years, our strategy has driven meaningful improvements in student life. We’ve grown participation, strengthened support, and created more opportunities for students to thrive — always placing wellbeing and community at the heart of what we do.
Across the lifetime of the strategy, our impact includes:
14,000 student jobs filled, with over £10 million paid directly to students
300,000 event attendees.
94,966 student advice enquiries supported, helping students through challenging times
143,330 club and society memberships purchased, reflecting the central role student groups play in our community
These outcomes highlight the scale of our work and the importance of student-led activity at Leeds.
At LUU, we’re always looking forward. This year, we begin work on our new 2026–2030 strategy, shaped by feedback from 5,600 students during our largest-ever student insights project.
Building on everything we’ve achieved so far, the new strategy will strengthen support for student life, respond to emerging challenges, and continue our mission to improve student lives.
Blog by Fabiha Chowdhury
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