Private renting advice and support
If you're private renting, then your bills are likely to be one of your highest outgoings each month. So here is some advice and support to help you during this time.
1yr ago
The current cost of living crisis is affecting everyone, and in partnership with the Students' Union, we want to work together to support each other during this time.
The University’s National Student Money Week 2023 is happening 13-17 March. So, we’re highlighting 15 ways we are helping you save money, make money, connect with each other, and access additional resources. For the full range of support and further information, make sure you check out the Cost of Living Hub.
Looking for ways to get involved this week, including taking part in the Shopping Basket Challenge, or wanting to speak to a Student Money Adviser about budgeting advice and financial support? Scroll down to the bottom of this article!
1. Free food & events at the Tea & Toasty warm hub
Christ Church Students’ Union and the Catering Department have worked together to create the Tea & Toasty warm hub – a space where you can come and grab a free cup of tea and soup. CCSU also host a variety of activities in the hub, as well as provide further opportunities for free food.
2. Save money with UPay
Download the UPay App for exclusive loyalty offers, multi-deals, and discounts at CCCU catering outlets. Plus, you can save money with a pre-paid coffee token scheme and take part in free giveaways!
3. Say goodbye to library fines
The Library and Learning Resources Team have worked in collaboration with The University of Kent and The University of Greenwich to introduce the policy to no longer charge fines on overdue items, as we believe there should be no financial barriers for students accessing our collections.
4. Eat well for less with the Helping Hand Menu
Enjoy nutritious food at affordable prices with the Catering Department. With options including £2.20 for a five-item breakfast and £1.50 for a pasta cup. Available in the Food Court and Atrium Café.
5. Hardship funding for those in extreme financial difficulty
If you’re in extreme financial hardship, the Student Support Advisers can support with applying for hardship funds including digital poverty hardship support, and the Office for Students cost of living fund.
6. Speak to a dedicated Student Money Adviser
The Student Support Team have now hired a dedicated member of staff to help answer your questions around budgeting, saving money, and banking. The Student Money Adviser will be available for drop-ins during NSMW, and beyond!
7. Medway Breakfast Club with CCSU
Join the Christ Church Students’ Union for their regular Breakfast Club at Medway Campus where you can grab a free bacon or vegan sausage bap.
8. Bring your own food to campus with Heat & Eat spaces
The Catering Department are making it easier for you to bring your own food to campus with Heat & Eat spaces. So, if you have some leftovers from your dinner, you can bring them in and heat them up in a microwave or make your own cup of tea with the hot water dispensers.
9. Access the Career Development Fund for support with career development opportunities
If you’re looking to undertake a career development opportunity but finding it financially difficult to do so, then you may be eligible to benefit from the Career Development Fund. This could help with covering travel costs, attending a conference, purchasing specialist software, or buying suitable workwear.
10. Speak to the Student Support Advisers over a free cuppa and biscuits at the Wellbeing Café
Join the Student Support Team for advice on finance and wellbeing as well as enjoy a free cuppa and some biscuits. Every Thursday at 2pm- 4.30pm in the Food Court - if you want a chat or have any questions.
11. Plus, don’t forget all the other regular opportunities to come together over a free hot drink and conversation…
As well as the Wellbeing Café, don’t forget you can also connect with others at Tea at Three with the Chaplaincy, Chooseday Chill with the Student Wellbeing Services, and the World Café at Medway.
12. Careers & Enterprise are offering a series of How to Make Money workshops
The Careers & Enterprise Team have launched an 8-workshop series on ‘How to Make Money’ to help you with freelancing, self-employment, and turning your hobby into a way of making money as part of their Launch into Business Programme.
13. Top up on essentials with The Refillable Van
The Refillable Van is a local mobile zero waste shop that provides a cost-effective way to top up on essentials while avoiding unnecessary packaging. You can find it outside Verena Holmes on the last Thursday of the month between 1 – 4pm.
14. CCSU Access to Opportunities Fund to support those wanting to join a sports club or society
Christ Church Students’ Union has allocated nearly £1,000 to students through The Access to Opportunities Fund, as hardship should not be a barrier to joining a society or playing sport.
15. Graduating this year? CCCU will fund 50% of your gown hire
We’ll fund 50% of your gown hire if you do so through the University’s preferred supplier Ede and Ravenscroft. The prices that will show on the portal have already been adjusted to reflect the discount.
We know there is still more work to do. Please continue to feed back to Christ Church Students' Union and the Student Support Advisers what we can do to support you during this time. There are pop-up opportunities happening throughout National Student Money Week, where we welcome your ideas.
Don’t forget there’s also local discounts and external resources that you can utilise… From single bus fares for £2 to accessing the Save the Student site. Check out the Cost of Living Hub for further details.
We’re here for you
If you need some guidance, or experience any issues with finances or living costs, our Student Support Advisers can offer advice and support on:
- funding for full and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses
- university bursaries and scholarships
- applying for hardship funds including digital poverty hardship support
- assistance available in the local community
They can also offer advice on budgeting and money management (including student banking) and ideas for saving. Getting early financial advice can help put you on the right track and give you peace of mind - so get in touch with our friendly advisers or come for a chat at one of our face-to-face or virtual drop-in.
Join us for our National Student Money Week
There are plenty of opportunities to connect with the new Student Money Adviser, gain some budgeting tips, and put your supermarket products knowledge to the test!
NSMW Shopping Basket Challenge: Our Student Support Advisers are running a Shopping Basket Challenge for National Student Money Week to raise awareness around the difference in the price of products. Guess the total cost of a shopping basket with non-branded items vs a shopping basket with branded items… The two people that guess the closest amounts to each basket, will win a selection of goodies from the shopping! Available Mon – Weds and Friday, 10am-4pm, in Augustine House at the Student Wellbeing Services drop-in area.
Student Money Adviser drop-in: Are you looking for some budgeting advice? Or need support with financial wellbeing? Our Student Money Adviser is here to answer your questions. Come to the support drop-in in Augustine House, between 2pm - 4pm, on Wednesday 15 March.
NSMW pop-up: The Student Money Adviser will also be in Touchdown for a NSMW pop-up, between 12pm-2pm on Thursday 16 March. Come and ask any questions you may have, and while you’re there you can take a guess at the NSMW Shopping Basket Challenge!
Wellbeing Café: Come along and meet the Student Support Team for advice on finance and wellbeing as well as enjoy a free cuppa and some biscuits. Thursday 16 March, 2pm- 4.30pm, in the Food Court. Plus, you can also take part in the NSMW Shopping Basket Challenge.
The SU will also be running activities during the week - so keep an eye out on their social media channels for further details!