We are all aware of the ever-increasing cost of living pressures we are currently facing, and we know that students are feeling it too.  

As the National Union of Students (NUS) have stated in their Cost of Living Campaign statement, this is pushing students to the brink. We encourage our students to engage with this national campaign so we can lobby collectively for significant government support targeted to students: 

www.nus.org.uk/campaign-hub/cost-of-living-crisis

At UCLan, we are here to support you through this. We are looking internally at what we can provide as a Students’ Union to lessen the financial burden. We are working closely with the University to connect students with existing resources, and we are working on developing new initiatives with them. We are also committed to working even harder to lobby as a sector for targeted support for students. 

What we are doing as a Students’ Union, with the University and with the sector: 

• Our Officer team have raised cost of living as a priority issue for UCLan students with the University. They are aware this is a key issue and they are working with us to support students through this.
• Our Elected Officer team are scoping out options for targeted support at our Burnley and Westlakes campuses in collaboration with the University. 

• From today we have brought in microwaves in the Atrium, first floor of the Students’ Union Preston building for students to re-heat their own food. 

• Our period poverty campaign means that all students can get free period products in the Students’ Union building from all toilets. 

• We have launched a Community Fridge in our Preston Students’ Union building. This is a funded project to help tackle food waste primarily, but we are scoping out options for how we can increase access to free/low cost food across campuses by connecting with local providers. 

• We are using our networks to gather constant feedback from different demographics of students to make sure we are supporting our diverse membership in the ways they need us to. 

• A reminder that UCLan students get free access to sports facilities, including the gym. There are also places across campus where you can use a microwave, access hot water, water fountains and showers.

Upcoming events where you can give feedback: 

• Black Students Get Together is happening tomorrow (13th October), in the Students’ Union Preston building 5pm-8pm. 

• Burnley Students Forum is happening next Wednesday, 19th October at Victoria Mill -11am-12pm. 

• Disabled Students Forum is happening on the 19th October, UCLan Students’ Union, Preston Building – 2pm-4pm. 

• International Students Get Together is happening on the 3rd November in the Students’ Union, Preston Building – 4pm-7pm. 

Resources that can help you now (We will continually update this section to give you the most up to date information):

The University’s Student Support Services can help you with: 

• Accessing a range of hardship funds. The team have recently increased some of the general living costs included in these funds. 

• Facilitating referrals to Foodbanks in Lancashire as appropriate. 

• Accessing resources via Blackbullion which provide advice and guidance specifically on the cost of living crisis. 

• Accessing emergency Food Vouchers whilst students apply for longer term support. 

• Access £100 Love2Shop vouchers to help new students who share that they are Care Experienced or Estranged settle into University life. 

• Accessing the free Visa extension application review service to ensure that students do not incur resubmission charges if submitted with errors. 

Reminder that if accessing information / support online isn’t for you, you can access the Student Services team in person in the Student Centre building. The team have recently increased their telephone and in-person service hours. The Student Support desk is available 9am-5pm, weekdays and the telephone service is available until 7pm, weekdays - 01772 89 1828 - press option 2.

• Travel discounts 

www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/stagecoachsmart  

www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/National-Railcards.aspx

• Council Tax Rebates for Students 

www.preston.gov.uk/article/5219/Council-Tax-rebate-for-home-energy-costs  

• Energy Tax Rebates for Students 

www.gov.uk/guidance/getting-the-energy-bills-support-scheme-discount 

• UCLan Achieve - University’s system to enable students to spend bursary money: 

www.uclan-achieve.co.uk/uclan/about-achieve  

• TOTUM cards are available via the app and offer specific discounts for students. You can download TOTUM digital for no cost.

Download the TOTUM App from your App Store.

• The Too Good to Go App is free to download and gives anybody access to free / low-cost leftover food from local businesses. 

A reminder that we, the Students' Union, are a membership organisation and our work is shaped from student feedback. 

Share your stories of how cost of living is impacting you. 

Give us ideas for what we should be lobbying for and / or providing. 

Tell us about practical tips we can share with our student community. 

DM us on social media (@UCLanSU) or email us on yourunion@uclan.ac.uk to share your feedback and ideas.

We are with you through this.