How Facilities Management Teams Can Support Wellbeing Activities for Students

For many young People, moving into purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) alongside further education is their first experience of living away from home. It’s an exciting transition, but also one that comes with challenges, plus, it can feel daunting too. There may be concerns about separation from their family and usual support network back at home, new academic pressures, financial responsibilities, the practical challenges of living more independently or the necessity of forming new social connections. 

In this kind of setting, the role of a PBSA management company is about more than simply maintaining buildings and ensuring compliance. It is about creating environments where students feel safe, supported, and able to thrive.

At the heart of this are facilities management (FM) teams. They are often the most visible representatives of a PBSA management company, interacting with students daily, keeping spaces functional, and, increasingly, contributing to wellbeing initiatives. When FM teams go beyond their traditional remit and actively support student wellbeing, they strengthen trust, build Community, and this can also add significant value for developers, operators, and investors alike.

In this guide, we explore why wellbeing matters in student accommodation, how facilities management teams can actively contribute to it, and practical ways FM teams can support activities that nurture students’ overall quality of life and wellbeing.

Why student wellbeing is important for PBSA success

The link between student wellbeing and academic success is well-documented. When students feel safe, socially connected, and supported, they are more likely to be able to focus on their studies, build friendships, and make the most of their university experience. For PBSA providers, prioritising wellbeing also leads to:

• Higher occupancy and retention rates – Students who feel cared for are less likely to leave mid-tenancy and more likely to recommend their accommodation to peers.

• Improved reputation – Universities and parents increasingly look at wellbeing provision when recommending or choosing accommodation.

• Stronger financial returns – A student-first approach drives both long-term demand and positive word of mouth.

In short, wellbeing is not a “nice to have”; it is integral to the long-term success of PBSA developments.

Why Facilities Management is more than maintenance

Traditionally, facilities management in student housing has been very focused on operations. The priorities include making necessary repairs, cleaning, security, compliance, and utilities. 

These functions are, of course, vital, but FM can (and should) also play a more human role. After all, for many students, FM staff are the most consistent adults they see day-to-day while living away from home. Each of these interactions is an opportunity to build trust, reassurance, and a sense of belonging.

When FM teams are trained to recognise and support wellbeing, they can:

• Spot early warning signs – noticing if a usually social student has become withdrawn or if someone seems unusually anxious.

• Provide consistent support – offering reliable, timely responses builds confidence that students’ needs will be met.

• Humanise the accommodation experience – treating students as individuals, not just tenants, makes their PBSA feel more like a Community.

Practical ways FM teams can support wellbeing activities for students

We’ve compiled some ideas that can help FM teams have a meaningful impact on students and their wellbeing. 

Create a safe and welcoming environment in the PBSA

Wellbeing starts with a sense of safety for the students that live and spend time there. FM teams play a direct role in:

• Ensuring communal spaces are well-lit, clean, and welcoming.

• Maintaining security systems that protect students, while respecting their privacy.

• Designing spaces with comfort in mind, including quiet study areas, social lounges, and safe outdoor spaces.

Organising on-site student activities

The Facilities Management staff that are on-site regularly tend to know best what students most often need assistance with and what their common challenges are. Working alongside students in that Community to facilitate events that address real needs as well as fostering connections could include:

Cooking basics workshop

Teaching students how to make some healthy and affordable basic meals using the PBSA kitchen equipment and appliances. These can be themed by types of cuisine and students already confident with cooking can help to run them. 

Green living initiatives

Organising recycling events, indoor plant care workshops or encouraging students to help with the upkeep of communal garden spaces (indoor or outdoor). This helps them connect with other students and staff as well as providing a low-key, relaxing activity they can start to feel ownership of.

Regular informal wellbeing check-ins

Informal drop-in sessions in communal areas with free snacks where students can meet others and FM staff in a relaxed environment. Some games consoles or even board and card games can all help create a chilled space that welcomes all and encourages connection with others.

Partnering with charities and local services

If students are in a setting that is new to them, they might not be aware of all the support services available or how to access them. FM teams can help to act as connectors between students and this external support, such as:

• Working with local gyms to offer discounted membership or free taster classes

• Partnering with Community organisations that students can volunteer with, helping to give them a sense of purpose and belonging in the wider Community

• Signposting to wellbeing resources for students in specific local further education institutions, to make sure that students know where to go if they want additional support. 

Promoting healthy lifestyle activities

Small lifestyle improvements can make a significant difference to mental health and wellbeing.  Some examples for FM teams to drive forward could include:

• Encouraging cycling by maintaining secure bike storage and organising local cycling tours

• Promoting active living by passing on details of local gyms offering a student discount, highlighting local walking routes or organising group activities like weekly football matches, basketball or yoga/dance classes. 

Supporting cultural and social inclusion

With students often hailing from across the UK and around the world, PBSA Communities are often highly diverse. FM teams can support inclusivity by:

• Helping organise cultural celebration events (Diwali, Lunar New Year, Eid, etc.) within communal spaces

• Ensuring signage and communications are clear, accessible, and welcoming to international students

• Encouraging peer-to-peer connections through shared spaces that are actively promoted and maintained.

Building trust through everyday interactions

For students, particularly those far from home, FM staff can become trusted figures simply through regular, reliable interactions. Small gestures from the FM team, such as a smile, remembering someone’s name, or checking in after a reported issue, can mean a great deal to individual students.

Trust is particularly important in moments of stress. If a student experiences a maintenance problem during exam season, a quick and empathetic response can prevent frustration from snowballing into a wellbeing issue. Similarly, an FM team that notices when a student looks overwhelmed and knows how to signpost them to appropriate support can make a genuine difference.

For parents, knowing that staff on-site are attentive and approachable provides reassurance that their child’s wellbeing is prioritised. For developers and owners, it enhances the perceived value of their asset, setting this PBSA apart in a competitive market.

The commercial value of wellbeing-led PBSA FM

Investing in wellbeing through facilities management is not just socially responsible, it’s commercially astute too. PBSA developments where students feel engaged and supported enjoy:

• Stronger reputations with universities: who want to partner with operators known for safeguarding student welfare.

• Reduced turnover and void periods: as students are more likely to rebook or recommend accommodation to friends.

• Enhanced asset performance: wellbeing-driven Communities are seen as premium offerings, attracting higher demand.

Owners and developers seeking long-term value from PBSA should view FM not as a cost centre but as a strategic asset, capable of delivering measurable returns through supporting student wellbeing.

As the student accommodation market continues to evolve, wellbeing will continue to be a defining factor. Increasingly, students and their parents expect more than a roof over their heads; they want Community, safety, and opportunities for personal growth too. Universities are also likely to increasingly evaluate their partners based on student outcomes, not just bed spaces.

For FM teams, this shift represents a great opportunity to redefine their role: from behind-the-scenes operators to active contributors in creating supportive living environments. By embracing this expanded remit, FM teams can enhance the student experience while driving long-term value for PBSA investors.

Find out more about how PfP Students FM services work.