The University of Portsmouth Students’ Union has already secured a £15,000 grant since becoming the first student union in the country to register as a charity with the Charity Commission last week.

From 1 June, all student unions, some educational institutions and the church commissioners, which were formally exempt charities, are expected to register with the Commission as part of the Charities Act 2006.

Portsmouth Students’ Union said it was proud to be the first union to be accepted as a fully registered charity.

Being registered formally as a charity allows the union to access funds from a number of new sources including public and private sector initiatives and a number of different grant schemes.

The Union has already secured a £15,000 grant from the City Council to work with older residents in the community.