Teesside University Students' Union (TUSU) and Teesside Uni are both aware of the huge challenges students face due to the current cost of living crisis in the UK. We are working together and with a wide range of external partners to try and help you cope with the impact of the crisis in the short and longer term.
Your Student Officers met recently with senior staff at the Uni to discuss a range of ideas that we believe can help mitigate the cost of living crisis for students. We are also working in partnership with The National Union of Students (NUS), like other member unions, to utilise the information and resources they provide on dealing with the cost of living crisis and lobbying both local and central Governments to do better fro students. They also met with Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough, to discuss issues around support for students, including funding, accommodation, part-time work and of course making ends meet day to day! It was pointed out to him that student maintenance loans have yet to receive any significant increase despite ever-increasing living costs, he has promised to raise these issues in Parliament.
For our part, the Students' Union always works to support students with whatever problems they are facing, including the cost of living; here are just a few of the things we were already doing or have introduced recently:
- We continue to provide "Heat and Eat" services on the 1st and 2nd floor of the SU Building. This is a space for students to make free use of microwaves and kettles to heat up/ prepare their own food.
- We run weekly Students Supporting Students (SSS) sessions where students can come together with a representative from Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind to chat about mental health and any other issues they wish, including pressures faced by the cost of living.
- Made membership of our societies FREE to all current students for the first time ever.
- Made an increasing number of student events held in The Terrace free entry.
- Worked in partnership with the Uni to be a "Period Positive" university and provide as many free sanitary products to students as possible.
- Provided hundreds of students with part-time jobs working across our services.
- Provided warm, safe spaces for students 7 days a week to socialise, study and meet. A handy way of reducing energy costs at home.
- Done everything we can to keep the cost of food, drink and products in The Terrace and SU Shop as low as possible.
- Organised a dedicated Cost of Living Campaign Day, which took place on 29th Nov here in the SU Building, where students can get help, advice and support and access savings/ discounts from TUSU, Teesside Uni and a range of external agencies.
- We are now a registered warm space meaning current Teesside Uni students can use our building to stay warm and reduce their own energy costs as long as they like when we are open.
Teesside University has also agreed to the following:
- To keep the Library open 24/7 to students and staff, another warm and safe on campus.
- To provide free participation and sporting activities in the evening (including free use of facilities such as showers).
- To implement a pause on Library fees with a review of the feasibility of permanently withdrawing fines.
- To offer, through the Student Life Service, opportunities for students to get involved in community garden projects which will hopefully allow the growth of produce for struggling families.
The above is in addition to the following well-being and financial support the University already offers, including:
- Wellbeing and lifestyle workshops.
- Workshops and online advice on healthy eating and nutrition in partnership with external agencies.
- The Student Support Fund, from which students can, potentially receive £300 towards their energy costs. The fund also supplies food vouchers.
- Building links with local community services in Middlesbrough and near areas like Community Grocery to where they can directly refer students to help them shop on a small budget.
- Providing ongoing advice to students about the financial implications of course changes or a temporary pause of their studies and signposting them to sources of support with bursaries, scholarships and more.
- Absorbing a large proportion of ever-increasing energy costs in Teesside Uni owned accommodation.
