Can you help students in need?

Now in its fourth year, the cost of living crisis shows no sign of abating. It continues to impact many of our students who struggle to make ends meet.

The Students’ Association and University Cost of Living Taskforce continue to work closely together to provide practical support for students in need, including a St Andrews Campus Larder. This provides any students who are struggling financially with free food and essentials, and they can take as much as they need.

Thanks to the response of our global St Andrews alumni, families and friends, last year’s Cost of Living appeal helped to provide vital support in several areas, including:

• Keeping the St Andrews Campus Larder stocked and open throughout the year: this provides students who are struggling financially with free food and essentials.
• Expanding the Larder space to stock a wider range of items to cater to our culturally diverse student population.
• Funding additional weekly £10 vouchers for students with specific dietary needs.
• Providing local supermarket vouchers for those who remained in St Andrews over the festive period.
• Enabling more employability bursaries to help students access activities and work placements to develop their professional skills (e.g. travel costs, childcare, business attire for interviews, additional career-focused courses and conferences).

In its first year, the Larder has been a huge relief for members of the University community.

We welcome anyone associated with the University, and our services have especially been utilized by students from non-traditional backgrounds. We are always learning from our customers about how we can improve, from expanding our allergen-friendly inventory to improvements in our website and booking system.  - Campus Larder volunteer

Donations of any amount will collectively support students here in St Andrews in a number of vital ways. They will keep the Campus Larder stocked and running, support hidden costs of learning, and help students make the most of their university experience; for example:

• £10 pays for a bag of staple groceries.
• £45 funds a day's childcare so a parent student can participate in work experience.
• £150 supports travel and/or accommodation expenses for a work placement.
• £200 buys a set of professional clothing & footwear to attend interview/assessment.
• £1000 fully stocks the Campus Larder for an entire week.

We know the cumulative effect of the cost of living crisis is increasingly hard on everyone. If you are able, please consider donating whatever you can to help students in need.

Thank you so much for anything you can give to this appeal.

If you would like to offer your support through your skills, experience or networks please join our Saint Connect platform. 

Please visit the dedicated webpage for more information on the University’s Cost of Living initiatives. 

For more information about the Cost of Living Appeal please contact Magdalena Croy at collectivegiving@st-andrews.ac.uk.