It comes as the cost of living crisis leaves students across Wales feeling the pressures of affordability. According to a National Union of Students (NUS) Cymru survey, 58 percent of students are going hungry. Beyond that, they can’t even find places to rent or afford the housing costs in their areas. This shocking statistic has certainly grabbed headlines. We know that this work is underway, but across universities and student organizations alike, students are making strides to combat the increasing pressures their peers face.
Kardo Mina, a final-year law student at Swansea University, is typical of the plight many students across the country are enduring. Mina may only work part-time, but she frequently goes without food to afford it. She deems it “less economically feasible” to pick up a latte on the go now. Her usual monthly living expenses are between £700-£800, so it’s becoming harder for her to afford a balanced diet.
Universities in Wales are already taking positive actions to address this crisis through initiatives. Now, Cardiff University provides a monthly student supper club that nourishes 100 students. Beyond that, its chaplaincy offers hot drinks and meals to students who can’t afford them. These programs do a great job of minimizing the financial burden for students. The person who most clearly illustrated the need for this change was Tooba Zeb, 21, a full-time student from Wolverhampton. Zeb said the new meal support scheme has been key in allowing her to plan ahead and keep her costs down.
“This meal support has really helped me save on my groceries,” – Tooba Zeb
Meanwhile, Naman Kumar has taken a proactive approach by launching a free meals project in collaboration with the Swansea University Hindu Society. This project serves breakfast and lunch for 360 students each weekday through the stress-filled final exam period. Kumar emphasized the importance of supporting students during these critical times, stating:
“There are so many things students face – there is academic stress, there are financial needs, they have to pay their rent.” – Naman Kumar
Swansea University appreciates these challenges and has risen to the occasion. They have now moved to provide one-off support payments to help cover the cost of accommodation, travel, childcare and postgraduate study. This response is indicative of a recognition of the many complex kinds of pressures that students are under these days.
Each year, the financial landscape for all students is becoming more treacherous. The latest statistics for July from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show how quickly average rents have soared across Wales. They’ve rocketed up by 8.9% just in the last year alone. This increase further compounds the substantial challenges many students face, causing many students to work at least two or three jobs while in school.
Deio Owen, president of NUS Cymru, pointed to the pressure of exams and assessments fuelling the mental health crisis. He released an e-statement lamenting the ever-increasing number of students who have to turn to a second or third job to pay their way through school.
“We are seeing that heightened stress around examinations and assessments and then, if we are seeing that increase in students going to work part-time while they study, all of this bubbles in together at one of the most crucial periods of their time at university,” – Deio Owen
For every student who succeeds despite these pressures, there are many more whom they leave behind. This sentiment was echoed by fellow student Nandini Sheth, who spoke from her own personal experience. In her first two years, she did not work long enough but earned enough to provide healthy, more frequent meals. Yet now, she truly is forced to make tough decisions in terms of what she can eat.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve totally skipped a meal but if I can’t have a proper meal, I just keep snacking instead,” – Nandini Sheth
For Kardo Mina, the consequences of fiscal pressure are evident. She shared how skipping meals in favor of caffeinated beverages to stay awake is affecting her health and ability to excel in her classes.
“Sometimes I have to skip some meals and replace it with coffee which is not healthy,” – Kardo Mina
Even with these obstacles, Mina is appreciative of the assistance she gets through meal programs. She expressed how being able to get free, healthy meals has helped her spend more time focusing on her classes.
“This meal helps me to have more free time, study more, and actually attempt the exam questions. I’m way more prepared, whereas for my first semester exams, I was not,” – Kardo Mina
As universities continue to push for more supportive environments for their students, the demand for broad, encompassing solutions rises sharply. The ongoing rise in living costs necessitates a collective effort from educational institutions and government bodies to ensure that no student has to choose between heating and eating.
