As a student, it can be difficult to make ends meet, especially if you are on a tight budget. Thankfully, there are resources available to help those who may be struggling to put food on the table. One such resource is food banks. Food banks are non-profit organizations that provide free or low-cost food to individuals and families in need.

If you are a student at Canterbury Campus and are in need of assistance, here are some resources to help you find a food bank near you:

1. University of Kent Campus Pantry (Canterbury)

Campus Pantry is a scheme that provides short-term support to students who find themselves in need of supplemental food. It is located in Mandela Student Centre and the distribution times are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday between 12:00 – 16:00. To use the service for the first time simply go to the Mandela Student Centre Reception during the distribution times, you do not need to answer any questions or show any proof of financial hardship, just your Student ID. You will then be able to select up to 10 food items to ensure your food parcel meets your dietary needs.

2. The Canterbury Food Bank

The Canterbury Food Bank is run by the Canterbury Food Bank Trust and is located on Military Road. They provide food parcels to individuals and families who are experiencing financial difficulties. To receive a food parcel, you must be referred by a professional such as a doctor, social worker, or a Citizens Advice Bureau.

3. The Salvation Army Canterbury

The Salvation Army in Canterbury runs a food bank which provides food parcels to individuals and families in need. To receive a food parcel, you will need to be referred by a professional such as a doctor, social worker, or a Citizens Advice Bureau.

If you are a student at our Medway Campus, these are the useful resources to find a food bank nearby:

1. The Hub

The Hub at Medway offers an emergency food package of 5 items. You can use this service by completing this online form.

2. Medway Foodbank

Medway Foodbank is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. They provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people.

3. Family Food Bank

Through the support of the community and FareShare Kent The Family Food Bank offer a Family Food Box for about £8.50. This will feed a family of four, two meals a day for five days. You are required to collect a voucher from a professional partner or distribution centre and exchange this for a food box.

It’s important to remember that food banks are there to provide assistance to those in need. If you’re experiencing financial difficulties, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. You can also consider reaching out to the Wellbeing services within Kent Union and the University for support and advice.

The Postgraduate Research student Experience Survey (PRES)  and Postgraduate Taught Student Experience Survey (PTES) are an opportunity for you to provide us with feedback on many aspects of your postgraduate student experience including supervision, progress and assessment, resources, research skills and professional development.

You have all been sent an email with the unique link to the survey. Alternatively, you can use the links below where you will be asked to sign in. To access the survey please enter your Respondent ID as your University of Kent login and your Password is your student ID number. Kent login is the first part of your Kent email address, before the @ and all letters should be lowercase. University of Kent ID number should be 8 digits long. It can be found on your KentOne card.

• PTES UK Campus
• PTES Brussels and Paris
• PRES UK Campus
• PRES Brussels and Paris

All students who fully complete the survey will be entitled to claim a free £3 meal deal at Rutherford Dining Hall on the Canterbury campus or a £3 discount in the Pilkington Café on the Medway campus, on behalf of the Graduate Researcher College (valid until the end of July 2023). For Paris and Brussels students an incentive of an equivalent amount will be offered after the survey closes.

We very much hope that you will take this chance to have your say and make your views heard for the benefit of current and future postgraduate students. We appreciate any feedback you may have and we will use it to shape our future policies and student experiences.

Please note the deadline for completing PTES is 16 June and PRES is 15 May.

Thank you for your participation.