Cost of Living Support for Students
We know that rising living costs can put real pressure on your time at university. As your Students’ Union, we’re always looking for ways to support you. This page brings together the practical help and resources available, and will be updated as new support becomes available.
No matter your situation, you’re not alone. We’re here to make sure you can focus on what matters most: your studies, your wellbeing, and getting the most out of student life.
Student Food bank
In collaboration with Leicester South Foodbank and the University, the Students' Union has opened a foodbank hub on campus. The hub is only for students in need, to help address the cost of living crisis.
The hub offers free one-off food parcels that contain three days of nutritionally balanced non-perishable cans and ingredients that students can take home and prepare. To collect the food parcel, students will be required to bring their own bags. There is an optional array of products available from female hygiene products to toothpaste that can be added to a food parcel.
When/Where to collect:
To be eligible for a parcel, students will need to make an appointment with the University's Welfare Services or provide proof they are in contact with Welfare who can help you further. If you are experiencing ongoing financial hardship you can contact Welfare by welfare@le.ac.uk.
Foodbank parcels can be collected from the Students' Union Reception on the first floor of the Percy Gee Building between 11am and 3pm, Monday to Friday. Excluding bank holidays or university closures.
An example of what a food parcel could contain:
Community Kitchen
The Community Kitchen on floor -1 of Percy Gee includes a Community Fridge, where students can donate items they no longer need or are nearing their best‑before date. Food outlets on campus also add food items in there on a regular basis. Other students are welcome to help themselves to anything available in this space. There is also hot water and a microwave in the kitchen, open for all to use.
Budgeting advice
We have created a budgeting advice handbook, which you can download here.
Showering Facilities
The Students’ Union provides free, accessible showering facilities on campus to support students who may need a safe and private place to freshen up. Located on floor -1 near the Mature Students Space.
Access Fund
We believe that accessing opportunities to make friends and participating in extra-curricular activities are important for our students to establish a strong support network for better wellbeing and a more enriching learning experience during their studies. Therefore, we are launching the Access Fund this year; any student of the University of Leicester is supported by the Leicester Students’ Union and can apply for the Access Fund should they encounter financial barriers or hardship with participating in societies, sports clubs, networks, and SU activities.
Whether through full coverage or partial support, we make every effort to support you on your journey as a student at the University of Leicester, helping you to thrive, belong, and succeed. Find out more about the Access Fund.