Supporting Students Through the Cost of Living Crisis

We fully recognise the national and local concerns surrounding the cost of living crisis, and we believe that students are a particularly vulnerable group at the moment.

Rising prices for food, rent, energy, and transport are placing significant pressure on students’ finances, with many struggling to afford basic living costs alongside their studies. Since the summer, the Students’ Union has been working hard to help mitigate the impact of the cost of living crisis for our student community.

What Are Students Experiencing?

Students have told us that the cost of living crisis is affecting:

  • Their ability to afford food and essentials
  • Participation in sports, societies, and extracurricular activities
  • Their need to take on part‑time work alongside academic commitments
  • Overall wellbeing and stress levels

These pressures can have knock‑on effects on academic performance, mental health, and students’ sense of belonging at university.

Where Do We Want to Be?

The Students’ Union wants a university experience where:

  • No student is excluded from activities due to financial hardship
  • Essential costs are minimised wherever possible
  • Clear financial support is available and well‑communicated
  • Students feel supported, not stigmatised, when accessing help

How Are We Working to Get There?

We take a two‑pronged approach to tackling the cost of living crisis:

  • Delivering in‑house initiatives that reduce costs for students directly
  • Lobbying the University to introduce and improve support at an institutional level

This work is guided by regular meetings of our internal Cost of Living Working Group, alongside sustained officer‑led lobbying.

What We’re Currently Working On

In‑House Students’ Union Initiatives

Following internal Cost of Living Working Group meetings, we have introduced a range of measures to help ease financial pressure, including:

  • Frozen membership fees for Sports Clubs (£30 sport membership and £10 per club)
  • Continued Societies Area Membership (2022/23), reducing the cost of joining multiple societies
  • Secured £5,000 in Bath Alumni funding to create a Student Activities Support Fund (2022–23) for students struggling with extracurricular costs
  • Introduction of a 40p porridge breakfast option in The Plug
  • Our jobs team advertising part‑time work, including advice and tips on applications
  • Free emergency menstrual products, pregnancy tests, and condoms from the SU Advice & Support Centre
  • Sustainability‑focused events, including:
    • Freshers’ Week Sustainability Fair (attended by over 2,000 students)
    • Planned swap shops for sports kit, fancy dress, and a repair café
  • A commitment to offering more substantial food freebies at Voice engagement events
  • Subsidised food and drink in The Plug and Tub bar through NUS Services Ltd membership

Pushing for Provision: Lobbying the University

Lobbying the University is one of the SU’s key functions. Since the Officer team began in June 2022, we have consistently pushed for stronger recognition of the cost of living crisis and practical measures to support students.

The Officer team has engaged closely with:

  • Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor (Student Experience)
  • Director of Education & Student Services
  • Director of Student Support and Safeguarding
  • Director of Campus Services
  • Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement
  • Student Money Advice Team

What Progress Has There Been So Far?

As a result of championing the student voice, we have successfully lobbied for:

  • Improved communication and increased funding for the University Hardship Fund
  • Clear guidance on using University spaces as warm spaces and places to charge devices
  • Additional warm study spaces during the January exam period
  • University‑managed outlets joining food‑sharing schemes such as Too Good To Go
  • All campus outlets offering a £1.50 meal option
  • Creation of a University‑wide Cost of Living Working Group to monitor and oversee ongoing measures

How Do I Find Out More?

The University has published a dedicated Cost of Living webpage, which outlines:

  • Available financial support
  • Money‑saving resources
  • Further details on University‑led initiatives