Supporting our students with the cost of living
The current cost of living crisis is affecting everyone, and we want to work together to support each other during this time.
2yr ago
The current cost of living crisis is affecting everyone and we want to work together, in partnership with the Students’ Union, to support each other during this time.
Our Catering team understands and appreciates the ongoing challenges individuals face regarding the cost of living, and know your food is a big part of that.
We want to ensure all of the University community has access to nutritious, healthy food at affordable prices. This is why we have got together with our Head Chef to create our helping hand menu for the start of the new academic year - a selection of classic and healthy lunch dishes costing £3.00 or less. This will include, until the end of October in the Food Court and Atrium Café in Augustine House:
- Pasta and rice bar - a choice of 3 sauces: chicken curry, vegan chilli, chilli and Neapolitan tomato. All served with rice or pasta and finished with optional grated cheese (choices will change throughout the week).
- Jacket Spuds - jacket potato served with any 2 fillings (choose from cheese, tuna and beans).
- A British classic – choose from, sausage chips and beans, or vegan or pork Sausage roll chips and beans.
We have also reduced our cooked breakfast to £2.20 for five items as well as offering our Cereal Station at the same price – so not only can you get a great value hot lunch but a bargain breakfast too.
In addition, the team have a range of discounts and offers via UPay our cashless and secure payment system. And for those who want to make savings by bringing their own food, remember we have microwaves across our campuses so you can heat up your meals (just ask our catering team for the nearest one)
Other initiatives include Chooseday Chill, every Tuesday at Augustine House between 5- 7pm, which is an opportunity to relax over some free tea and toast and have a chat with other students and the Student Wellbeing team. In Medway, the Chaplain offers a World Café with free hot drinks and biscuits every Wednesday from 12 noon at the Blake Building, while at Canterbury there is tea at three every weekday with the Chaplaincy - so there is always somewhere to go for a free warm cuppa and a bit of company.
Finally, please remember if you have any money worries or concerns about the cost of living (however big or small), please chat to our Student Support Advisers for financial guidance and support. To find out what other support is available click here.
Feeling inspired? Check out our Connect with cooking playlist, where Head Chef Stuart and Hannah show us how to cook a series of tasty, good value meals! So why not gather some friends, and give one of these dishes a go...
Refillable Van on Campus
The Refillable Van provides a cost-effective way to top up on essentials while avoiding unnecessary packaging at the same time. Simply bring your empty bottles and containers and they will refill them for you with as much or as little as you need.
You can get refills for dry food, herbs and spices as well as washing up and laundry liquid, soap and shampoos and more.
They will be on campus the last Thursday of every month outside the Verena Holmes building between 12 noon and 3pm.