Pay It Forward Scheme

The Pay It Forward Scheme exists to support students within our university community who may be experiencing short-term financial hardship. Through the generosity of students, staff, alumni, and visitors, prepaid items are made available to those who need them — no questions asked, within reasonable limits.

The scheme is grounded in dignity, trust, and community care.

The schele is available to:

• Currently enrolled students
• Visiting scholars on official university programs

No proof of hardship is required at the point of use. However, if requested, users must present a valid student university ID when redeeming an item.

Pay It Forward tags specify what they may be used for:

• Regular hot drink
• Hot meal deal
• Sandwich meal deal

To ensure the scheme remains sustainable and accessible to a wide audience:

• A maximum of one tag per person per week may be redeemed.
• Multiple redemptions in a single visit are not permitted.
• Tags may not be accumulated, reserved, or transferred.
• Items must be consumed by the individual redeeming them.

Warwick Food Group reserves the right to temporarily limit redemptions during periods of high demand to ensure availability of donated funds and equitable access.

The scheme operates on trust. Users are expected to:

• Act in good faith.
• Not misrepresent their identity.
• Treat café staff and other patrons with respect.
• Refrain from pressuring staff for exceptions outside the policy.

Abuse of the scheme (including repeated excessive use or aggressive behaviour toward staff) may result in temporary or permanent suspension from the scheme.

Café staff will:

• Handle all redemptions discreetly.
• Avoid questioning users about their circumstances.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding individuals who use the scheme.

The aim is to ensure that accessing support feels normal, respectful, and stigma-free.

• Donations are voluntary and non-refundable.
• Funds are used solely for the provision of eligible Pay It Forward items.
• Warwick Food Group will periodically share anonymised impact updates (e.g. number of meals provided) to maintain transparency.

Warwick Food Group reserves the right to:

• Modify eligible items and tag pricing.
• Adjust fair use limits.
• Pause or amend the scheme if funds are depleted or operational issues arise.

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure fairness, effectiveness, and sustainability.

If you’re struggling to meet your essential living costs, please contact the Student Funding team to talk about your options.

Warwick Students’ Union can also provide financial adviceLink opens in a new window.

Questions, feedback, or concerns about the scheme can be directed to warwickfoodgroup@warwick.ac.uk

Yes, you can buy multiple tags or meals in one purchase. Every contribution makes a difference.

We have three options for a student:

• Hot drink: £3.50
• Sandwich meal deal: £4.25
• Hot meal deal: £7.50

Any regular sized, barista made drink. This includes iced drinks or frappes, one additional syrup and whipped cream topping if requested. It does not include seasonal specials.

Any sandwich from the £2.99 range, 330ml soft drink and a packet of REAL crisps or piece of fruit

Any hot meal, up to the value of £7.50. This might be a higher priced hot meal up to the value of £7.50, or a lower priced hot meal with extra toppings or sides, up to the value of £7.50

Eatwise Test Kitchen, Nexus, Café Library, District & Café Gibbet Hill.

Yes, you can receive a card receipt showing your Pay It Forward purchase.

No, all meals are available for any student in need to redeem, ensuring fairness and anonymity.

District, Café Library, Cafe Gibbet Hill.

Collect a tag from the pegboard in Cafe Gibbet Hill, Library or District. Then hand it in at the till — no questions asked. Only one use per tag.

Multiple redemptions in a single visit are not permitted. A maximum of one tag per person per week may be redeemed.

No, these tags are only redeemable for food or drink in selected outlets.

Yes, you can. This scheme operates on an honesty policy, giving our customers the freedom to take what they need. We just ask that you keep in mind our goal of supporting as many students as possible — so please only take what you truly need.

Tags don’t expire — they’ll stay available until used by a student.

Any unredeemed meals remain available for future students in need.

No - Pay It Forward tags can only be purchased using a debit or credit card.

Multiple redemptions in a single visit are not permitted. A maximum of one tag per person per week may be redeemed.

Yes, you can read the full fair use policy.