As a student managing a long-term health condition, I often find there is nowhere on campus where I can comfortably sit and socialise without my symptoms worsening.
Not all students can access or enjoy the typical social spaces on campus.
For students living with long-term health conditions, chronic pain, fatigue, migraines, Autism, neurodivergence, or other visible or non-visible disabilities, busy cafés and crowded areas can be overwhelming. Noise, bright lighting, and constant activity can trigger symptoms or make it physically difficult to stay for long periods.
Because of this, many students avoid these spaces altogether. This often means missing out on social interaction, struggling to connect with others, and feeling isolated from university life.
This is not about preference , it is about accessibility. Currently, there are very few, if any, spaces on campus where these students can comfortably sit, talk, and socialise without their health being affected.
This petition calls for the creation of inclusive, low-stimulation social spaces on campus so that all students can participate in university life without barriers.
Action or Proposal
We ask Greenwich Students’ Union Council to take practical steps to improve access to social spaces for students with health conditions and accessibility needs.
This includes:
Creating at least one low-stimulation social space on each campus, designed as a calm and quieter alternative to busy areas like Dreadnought Café.
Ensuring these spaces are welcoming, inclusive, and stigma-free, so students feel comfortable using them for social interaction.
Working with students who have lived experience of long-term health conditions, disabilities, and non-visible conditions to co-design these spaces.
Promoting these spaces clearly so students are aware they exist and feel encouraged to use them
These changes would provide a realistic and achievable way to make social life on campus more accessible.
Context
Many students with long-term health conditions or disabilities including autism, neurodivergence, chronic pain, fatigue, migraines, sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and other non-visible conditions are unable to comfortably use typical social spaces on campus because busy, noisy, and crowded environments can trigger symptoms and negatively affect their wellbeing.
Busy environments like Dreadnought Café are often loud, crowded, and overstimulating. While these spaces work well for many students, they can be physically overwhelming for others, sometimes forcing students to leave early or avoid social areas entirely.
As a result, some students miss out on social interaction and feel isolated from university life. This is not a matter of preference, but accessibility. Currently, there are limited or no suitable alternatives for students who need calmer environments.
Creating low-stimulation social spaces would address this gap and support a more inclusive campus where all students can participate socially without negatively impacting their health.