The University and Students’ Union worked together to help students through the cost-of-living crisis with a range of support services, including the introduction of a breakfast club that provides free food and beverages every Tuesday morning alongside the University’s catering provider Aramark. The service was extended to a supper club, which attracted 80 students a week. The Union also introduced an emergency food parcel service, designed to sustain an individual for a week, in collaboration with local charity Cfine, which supports students who are most affected by financial pressures.
The University Students’ Union won the Star Award at the University Alliance Awards in September 2024 in recognition of their hard work. Supporting our 18,000-strong student population through the cost-of-living crisis with these initiatives has been crucial to ensure our learners can continue to focus on their studies.