Here’s a rundown of how your Students’ Union mobilized to tackle Cost of Living issues.

This article was written by Luke – your newly appointed Cost of Living Coordinator.

This is how we put YOUR views to Parliament...

One month in, I’ve been coordinating our Cost of Living campaign for the rest of the year.

Through this difficult time for students all over the country, we want to take big steps to improve your experience here at the University of Salford.

So far, I’ve been reaching out to your fellow students, elected Officers & the University itself to understand the specifics of how this crisis is affecting all of you & inform how your Students’ Union should respond.

Our APPG Submission!

Recently, way down south in a little spot called Westminster, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Students’ launched their Inquiry into the Cost of Living crisis.

They sought input from Students’ Unions across the country.

Having surveyed over a hundred students, both in-person on-campus and online via our social channels, we put your views to Parliament.

With a great deal of help and contributors from many different parts of the Students’ Union & the University – from Atmosphere bar and the Wellbeing services, to societies, to Ask Us & the Clifford Whitworth Library – we spent 2 weeks collating our submission.

Working together with the NUS and other Students' Unions, this could be an important step towards positive national reforms for students.

Our Rafiki Events!

We’ve expanded Rafiki evenings with our fantastic student volunteers to hold bigger and more consistent events in collaboration with our many societies! This includes the recent film night with Reading Between the Spines & our arts session with the International Café.

These are regular opportunities for students to socialize and meet one another for no cost, especially those living close to campus, while their social lives may be taking a hit to save money. 

It's also a fantastic way for students to meet our Wellbeing team and to find support should they need it.

Keep an eye on our social channels or check this site to catch our next Rafiki event!

Survey Results!

Reaching out to students, I uncovered a few things you might be interested to hear...

• 72% felt the University & Students’ Union could be doing more to improve their experience through the crisis.

While 3.8% students did not feel they could be doing more, with 25% responding that they didn’t know either way, we’re taking this on board.

• 39% chose ‘Providing financial support’ as the key area they would like to see the Students’ Union helping with.

The remaining 23% respondents chose ‘Lowering rent in Salford accommodation’, in third 19% of respondents chose ‘Reducing transport costs’. This helps us to focus our efforts where students need it.

• 90% defined their experience through the Cost of Living crisis between ‘challenging’ & ‘very bad’; only 10% of students had an easier time.

Does this sound like your experience? Let your Students’ Union know what you’re going through with the Cost of Living crisis & we’ll see how we can help.

Elections

Finally, if you’re passionate about improving students’ experience and want to change things here at the University of Salford – it's nearly time to cast your vote!

Elections week begins on Monday 6th March!

Don’t miss out – read through your candidate's policies, make your voice heard, and shape the Students’ Union to fight this crisis.