Cost of Living Crisis
Here at the Students Union, we are aware of the current Cost of Living crisis and how this will impact our students.
Here are some ways you can get support:
Society Grants
Society Grant Fund
The Students' Union offers funding to support society activities that enhance student engagement and development. Societies can apply for funding to support a range of activities, including:
- Events
- Equipment
- Transport
- Accommodation
- Room hire
How to apply for the Society Grand Fund?
Careers and Employability Societies Grant
Generally, up to £200 can be claimed per society for an employability related activity, such as networking and career events.
How to apply for the careers and employability Society Grand?
Belonging Support Payment
The Money Advice Team are pleased announce that we will be offering a non-repayable award to eligible students. This fund is intended to assist students financially to enable participation in extra-curricular activities that may benefit general health and wellbeing (this list is not exhaustive).
Each Support Payment will be £150, is non means tested and is subject to availability. Students will only be per permitted to receive one award per academic year and may be expected to demonstrate that it has been used for its intended purpose if applying in subsequent years. Priority will be given to students facing financial hardship.
To be eligible to apply for the Belonging Support Payment, you must:
To make an application you will need to access the main hardship fund form. Once you have created an application, please select the ‘Belonging Support Payment’ tick box on the testimony tab. You will need to detail how you intend to utilise support from the fund within your testimony and provide your Student Finance notification letter and 1 month’s bank statements for all accounts to apply.
If you have any other queries about applying, please contact hardshipfunds@swansea.ac.uk.
You can make an application online here: Hardship Fund
Other support available from the Money Advice Team
Please note we also offer other financial assistance for eligible students:
Further details on eligibility criteria and links to apply can be found here: Help with Hardship - Swansea University
Swansea University Hardship Fund
For students experiencing Hardship, we would encourage them to apply to our Hardship fund. More information and links to apply can be found here: Help with Hardship - Swansea University
Swansea Library of Things is a new low-cost borrowing initiative which aims to help people borrow useful items they may only need for a few jobs. Instead of buying a new item that ends up never being used again, members can pay a small fee to borrow it, use it and return it when they're done with it!
The scheme allows for low-cost borrowing which helps our members from all walks of life, allows people to use stuff that they don't have space to store around their home, and promotes the idea of an environmentally-friendly circular economy where the same items get used multiple times instead of just once.
All our items are priced at a recommended borrowing amount which we believe to be fair and accessible to most households. However if you are feeling the squeeze on your living costs, do not hesitate to come in and we can sort out an adjusted price for you. We will work with you to make sure the price is as fair as possible.
Swansea Repair Space offers Free Repairs of Household Goods from the Environment Centre’s Highstreet Hub every Thursday and Friday from 10-4. They also accept drop offs for repair.
The Environment Centre High Street Hub
208 High Street
Swansea
SA1 1PE
Alternatively, the Environment Centre also holds a repair cafe every 3rd Saturday of the month from 10:30-13:30
Upcoming dates:
Sat 15th November
No Repair Café on 20 December
Sat 17th January
Sat 21st February
This campaign is a response to the cost-of-living crisis and aims to provide free access to essential period products for students. Through this initiative, we also aimed to break stigmas, encourage open conversations across all genders, and support UK-wide efforts for a more understanding and inclusive community.
Study Aid
Study Aid runs during the exam season to help de-stress students and offer additional support during this challenging time. From dog therapy to hot drink and stationery giveaways, we’ll be on both Bay and Singleton campuses, giving you the chance to take a break and relax.
Check out @susueducation for more info!