Awareness of Support Available

Living at university can often cause or exacerbate financial difficulties. It’s unfortunately easy to fall into difficulties from sudden energy price hikes, delays in student finance payments, unexpected repair costs and unfortunate changes to circumstances at home. This guide outlines all the financial support available to students studying at the University of Warwick.

Support with food insecurity

Every Tuesday, in term-time, Warwick SU run a free Breakfast ClubLink opens in a new window where you can choose from things like hot porridge, cereal or toast along with a hot drink. There's no need to book just drop into the Green Room in SUHQ between 8.30am to 10.30am on a Tuesday.

Another option for free food is the Community FridgeLink opens in a new window. Located outside L3, L4 and L5 on the Science Concourse (over the bridge from the library), it offers a variety of free food items on a first-come, first-served basis. The fridge is restocked from 5.00pm Monday to Friday, so pop in and pick what you need. You can also get food from some of the cafes on campus at a reduced rate through the Too Good To Go AppLink opens in a new window. This is not just a good way of getting cheap food, but also for supporting sustainability, as it is all food that would otherwise be thrown away!

The Warwick SU works with local food banks in order to provide support to students facing food insecurity. Once you complete an Advice Centre Enquiry FormLink opens in a new window, if appropriate, you will be given a food bank voucher. This can be taken to any local food bank centre, where they will exchange the voucher for three days of emergency food appropriate to your dietary needs. You can find out more on the Warwick SU webpage about Food Bank vouchersLink opens in a new window.

If you would like to help support the work of local food banks that provide food to people in need, the BankTheFoodLink opens in a new window app will provide you with information on the supplies that specific food banks need the most.

Additional funding support

You may be eligible for additional funding support if you meet the necessary criteria. Emergency schemes include the Warwick Hardship Fund and the International Student Emergency Fund. Support is designed to cover short-term, essential costs that cannot be covered by current funds. Have a look at the Student Funding Support Hardship Fund webpagesLink opens in a new window for more information.

Other support teams on campus

Other teams across campus can support you if you are finding things difficult.

Residential Community Team (RCT)Link opens in a new window

RCT are a group of fellow students who live on campus and are the first line of support for money issues. As they are current students, they can use their own experiences navigating student life currently to help support you. They often host free, engaging activities at the on-campus residences. They can be found at the residence hubs for each accommodation.

Wellbeing and Student SupportLink opens in a new window

Wellbeing and Student Support can help whether you’re experiencing a pastoral or welfare issue. They offer a proactive and reactive range of support to help overcome your problem safely and confidentially. To access the service, you can drop in to Wellbeing Reception in Senate House Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm. If you would prefer to speak to someone virtually, you can do this through the Wellbeing Portal at the same time.

Workwear WardrobeLink opens in a new window

Based in the Student Opportunity Hub in Senate House, this is another great way to support sustainability. The Workwear Wardrobe initiative offers free workwear to help you affordably get clothes for interviews, assessment centres and work experience. You will be able to pick a limited number of items, whether it be a new suit, a tie or a smart dress, to ensure they are able to support as many students as possible. And of course, if you have items to donate, they're happy to add those to the wardrobe too. You can find details of their opening times on the Workwear Wardrobe website.Link opens in a new window

Student Union Advice CentreLink opens in a new window

The Advice Centre is a free, professional, confidential, non-judgmental service, independent from the University. They can offer advice on all sorts of money-related issues and can also help you advocate for yourself in cases of money claims being taken to court and exploitation by landlords.

The Student Funding Support Team are available for support with money concerns. You can drop into an in-person chat between the hours of 10am-3pm Monday-Friday, or you can contact them via a phone call between the hours of 8:30am- 5pm Monday-Thursday and 8:30am- 4pm Friday. Their phone number is: +44 24 7615 0096. Their email is: studentfunding@warwick.ac.uk

Written by Lucy Pimlott