North East universities add foodbanks as cost of living crisis grows

A report released today (Thursday, September 14) by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), will say that one in ten universities has been giving out food vouchers to combat the cost of living crisis.  

The data cites the North East as one of the most likely regions to operate a food bank.

Read more: Families in the North East resort to food banks after mortgage rises

In the North East, Newcastle is currently the only university that has a dedicated foodbank, but Durham, Teesside, Sunderland, and Northumbria have all introduced measures that provide free food and other financial support to students who attend the university. 

The Student Pantry, which is run by the Student’s Union at Newcastle University, ensures that students don't go without, and offers free items such as dry cupboard foods, refrigerated donations from the Co-op, hygiene products, stationary, and donated clothing.

Durham University (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

At the university itself, it has increased the package of support available to students at all stages to more than £1.7 million which includes an increase in student financial support, participation bursaries through the Students’ Union and additional jobs for students through jobs on campus

Elsewhere, Durham University has introduced several measures, including introducing free cereal and hot drinks for students who miss breakfast, partnering with the Too Good To Go app, and increasing the Durham Grant Scheme by ten per cent.

Northumbria Police (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

At Teesside University, food vouchers and care packs for students are available, while working with food banks locally, and Blackbullion;  free financial advice to students.

This support highlighted by North East universities comes on the same day as the HEPI report, which was based on a website audit of the 140 members of Universities UK, to see their strategies for supporting students.

Newcastle University (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Just over half were found to offer discounts on food, while 27 per cent were operating a food bank and 11 per cent were giving out vouchers.

HEPI has called on all universities to establish similar working groups, launch emergency funds and include students throughout their cost-of-living response, while it said student unions can encourage their university to act by mounting cost-of-living campaigns “founded on strong evidence and excellent relationships with university staff”.

Teesside University (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

It said the Government should establish a cost-of-living task force which consults regularly with students and sector leaders and called on Westminster and devolved governments to routinely increase the student maintenance loan in line with inflation.

Despite the HEPI findings, North East universities are already going ways to support their students financially and with food support, including the University of Sunderland, which has made a series of £250 payments to home students living with the greatest financial disadvantage.

Northumbria University are also giving its students to the Access to Learning (Hardship) Fund, a free bus service between its Newcastle campuses and increased financial and mental health support.