Category Archives: Student Support and Wellbeing

How to save money on your food shop

The rising cost of living is difficult for many of our students, and we understand that some extra help may be needed at this time. Here are some student tips to help you save on your food shop.

(1) Plan your weekly budget

The best place to start is having a weekly budget to work out how much you can realistically afford to spend each week on food. Start by working out your income – whether you have a part-time job or you’re getting money from your parents, every income you have should be accounted for. You’ll then need to make a note of your regular expenses and subtract this from your income. This should then leave you with the amount you have available for food, activities, shopping, and anything else you need to buy over the week. Make sure you set aside a fair amount for food and necessities, and use this weekly budget to inform your spending decisions and plan your food shopping accordingly. For more information on budgeting, check out our Budgeting Guide.

(2) Take stock and make a list

Make sure you check your cupboards before you head to the shop so you don’t buy duplicate items that you won’t need and jot down any ingredients you’re missing. This also helps you use up food before it goes out of date. Try to plan what meals you might like to have for the week and make a list of what you need. It can also be helpful to make extra food so you have leftovers for the next day’s lunch. We have microwaves on campus so you can reheat leftovers. Making a list of what you actually need will help to keep you on track with your shopping.

(3) Do your food shop in the evenings

Most supermarkets start reducing the price of food after about 18:00 so that they can get rid of stock before the end of the day, and make things cheaper that they will no longer be able to sell as ‘fresh’ the next morning. This is great for getting a cheaper food shop – the food will still be fine to eat, just less expensive. You could also freeze items and have them at a later date.

(4) If you can, buy in bulk

Buying in bulk can work out cheaper in the long run. For items with a long shelf life that you know you’ll use – like pasta, rice and washing up liquid – it’s cheaper and easier to buy larger quantities than to keep getting small packets. Look out for the price per kg or per litre on these items to make sure you’re getting a good deal. If you can afford it, it can make more sense to bulk buy items once rather than buying smaller amounts of items each week.

(5) Keep an eye out for student discounts and cheap deals

There are lots of money-saving discounts online and in stores. As students, you should be able to access student discounts for a range of shops and restaurants, so make sure you always ask if this is available when shopping. For discounts on the Canterbury campus, grab yourself a Totum discount card or a Co-op membership to access rewards and offers in our two Co-op stores. It’s also a good idea to do your food shops at cheaper supermarkets (like Aldi and Lidl) if possible, as this will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Chance to win £500 in food vouchers!

Our partner Santander is helping students with the cost of living by offering the chance to win £500 in food vouchers through the Fuel Your Studies prize draw.

More cost of living support

You can also access the Kent Students’ Union Campus Pantry at Mandela Student Centre, and can speak to their Advice Service about any extra support or advice you might need. We also offer a range of emergency financial support options.

See our cost of living website for more support.

Dealing with worldwide events

The recent escalation in conflict between Israel and Iran has caused widespread concern and we are thinking particularly of our staff, students and all those affected by the increased violence over the past week. As a University of Sanctuary, we encourage initiatives and dialogues in support of peace worldwide and work with organisations to help preserve the right to education across the globe wherever it is impacted by war.

We are also very aware that staff and students may be feeling worried about the safety of loved ones. Also that some of you may be feeling anxious and disturbed by the images on the news and social media. If you have lived through similar events yourself, the current crisis may be bringing up some very traumatic memories. There is support available at Kent for staff and students that’s here for you during these unsettling times.

Support available at Kent

24/7 support services

For support at any time of day or night, check out the Emergency Support page with details on online and telephone support available round the clock for Kent students, including our support partners:

Spectrum Life, who you can call in the evenings and at weekends on 0800 0318227 pressing option 1, and
Togetherall, the safe anonymous peer to peer online support forum free to Kent students.

Financial support and help

During an international conflict in some instances there can be issues with banking or you circumstances may change. If you are experiencing financial issues as a result of what is going on then please look at our emergency funding pages. We would recommend you look at

International Hardship Fund (IHF) – Student support – University of Kent (up to £1000)
Emergency Hardship Fund (up to £300)

If you are currently living in university accommodation and are in difficulty with money due to the recent events, you can contact your student accommodation controller who will be happy to work with you to review any upcoming accommodation payments please email accommfinance@kent.ac.uk who can help you with this.

You can also get help with financial advice from Kent Students’ Union Advice Centre at Kent or from the Student Welfare Team.

Student Support and Wellbeing – professional support at university

Did you know that Kent has a professional support service of over 100 specialist staff? We’re here to support you with mental health, disabilities, and neurodiversity such as specific learning difficulties or autism, through 1:1 support as well as peer support groups and events.

Wellbeing advice and self-care

Although you may wish to stay informed, it is important to be aware of your limits.

Distressing world news can certainly affect our mental health. Here are some things you can do to retain some balance.

Try to be intentional in how you are consuming news, avoid long ‘scrolling through’ sessions

Take a break from watching the news – consider checking in at certain times of the day only.
Mute or turn off news notifications on your phone.
Mute or unfollow social media accounts if you are feeling overwhelmed, or limit your news intake to once or twice a day.

Make time for people, activities and actions that are positive for your wellbeing

What helps will be different for each person, but here are a few ideas;

Connect with friends and family members.
Go for a walk in the fresh air.
Listen to a podcast.
Listen to some soothing or inspiring music.
Write out your thoughts and feelings in a journal.
Go to the gym.
Grab a coffee with a friend.
Connecting with nature can be very soothing, there are some lovely walks on campus or along the river Stour.
Have you caught the bus to Whitstable yet, why not have a walk along the beach?
Try to have a regular sleep pattern.
Try to eat healthily which will help when you are feeling emotionally depleted.
Listen to some guided meditations as these can really help as a distraction from racing thoughts.

Focus as much as you can on hope

Remember that distressing events are relatively rare and amidst all the horrors, there are also reports of wonderful acts of courage, bravery and compassion.

Positive news

It can seem like mainstream media is overwhelmed with bad news, but good news itself is not in short supply; the broadcasting of it is! Positive News has articles about what you can do to make a positive impact in the world today, such as How to help people in Ukraine and What can I do about climate change?

Supreme Court Ruling

Following the recent UK High Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman we know that students, in particular our transgender and non-binary communities, may be experiencing uncertainty or concern around what this means for them personally and/or their areas of work.

Our commitment at Kent remains that everyone in our community is treated with dignity and respect, with inclusion one of our core values. We want to ensure all are aware of support routes and services available if they need them. Like others, we are closely monitoring the implications of the Supreme Court ruling to ensure we are compliant with all aspects of equality law while continuing to protect people from discrimination.

Above all is our continued expectation that students and staff feel safe, included, supported and treated equally at Kent, with appropriate facilities and services for all. As a university, we also create spaces and opportunities for the free exchange of ideas and debate, for different views to be shared whilst being clear that this must always remain within the law.

Support for Students

Kent Students’ Union run a number of Societies and Networks that any student can join and can help you to build friendship groups and find a community. Our LGBTQIA Student Life Guide also has useful tips on finding your community at Kent.

Student Support and Wellbeing offers fantastic support for any student who is struggling, with Spectrum life also providing an out-of-hours support line which can be contacted over the phone or through webchat.

Reporting

We operate a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, discrimination or harassment. If you do experience or witness anything, please use the Report and Support reporting tool, available for staff and students.

Get in touch

If anyone has any concerns or queries regarding these developments, please contact EqualityAndDiversity@kent.ac.uk

Passing of Pope Francis

Many of you may feel a loss and be grieving following yesterday’s sad news about the death of Pope Francis. It’s natural to feel sad and a sense of reflection, particularly for those within associated faith communities.

Student Support and Wellbeing can offer support and information on dealing with grief and bereavement, and you can access self-help resources here.

Father Mark Wharton of the University Chaplaincy team welcomes you to contact him if you would like to talk, especially if you are struggling. The student-led Catholic Society of Canterbury campus is also open to all students.

St Augustine’s Chapel at Canterbury Cathedral is available for those who wish to pay their respects, pray or sign a Book of Condolence.

Are exams something to worry about?

There’s a fine line between being serious about your exams and worrying about them. It’s normal to be apprehensive or feel a little nervous from time to time. However, if you are, very stressed or anxious, worrying excessively or struggling to sleep, it’s time to talk to someone. It’s also OK if you don’t have any real feelings about exams; some people even enjoy the process and are able to take each day as it comes, so don’t worry if you’re not worrying!

How can I look after myself?

There are steps you can take to look after yourself during your exams:

Make sure you have all the information you need about each exam – date, time, place, what you need to take with you…and what subject it is! Keep a copy at home so the people you live with know what you’re doing and when. Being well organised will help you stay calm.
It’s important to revise but you need to rest too. Too much revision is as unhelpful as too little – find a balance between revising and take time out to do the things you enjoy.
Go outside. Take your books and sit in the park in the sunshine; it’s good for the soul and the fresh air will do you good.
During exam time, it’s normal to feel some stress or anxiety, so keep some perspective. You might find it helpful to practise techniques like relaxation, mindfulness, and breathing exercises.
What are panic attacks and how to cope with them. Includes tips for helping yourself and how to access treatment and support.
Talk to people. Exams shouldn’t make you feel upset, so if you need support, talk to your academics or someone else. Speak up about any worries or fears you may have – you’ll be surprised how many other people feel the same. You’re not alone.
Leave the exam at the door. When it’s done, it’s done. Don’t rush home and flick through your work to find all the things you might’ve forgotten and avoid comparing notes with friends. You can’t go back, so don’t waste energy on something you can’t change.

How can I look after my friends?

Spend time together, revising, resting, and staying in touch. Don’t let anyone feel lonely.
Listen to your friends. You may love the buzz of exams but not everyone will feel that way. If a friend says they’re worried or anxious, take it seriously and ask them what you can do to help.
Help your friends to get help. You can support your friends and be there for them, but sometimes that might mean you need to speak to someone to tell them that you’re worried about a friend.
If any of your friends don’t seem to be sleeping or they are more anxious than usual or tearful, please speak to someone, even if your friend doesn’t want you to. Your friend might not realise how much they need some support until it arrives – and you might be the friend who has made that happen.

Top Tips

Try not to compare yourself. The first step in managing exam stress is to not judge yourself against others: ‘Everyone learns in different ways and at different paces.’ Focus on what you want to achieve, not what others around you are doing.

Create a strategy. Create a timetable and a plan of what you want to do, and how you will manage that time effectively. Remember that everyone learns in different ways.

Study together. Youth mental health charity YoungMinds suggests forming a study group with friends, which can help with making revision less intimidating. And don’t forget to take breaks.

Talk to people you trust. YoungMinds says: ‘If you’re struggling, it can help to let your friends and family know so they can offer support’. It’s completely normal to feel stressed and moodier during exam time. Talking to people can help you offload and realise you’re not alone.

Keep things in perspective. YoungMinds suggest making a list of all the things you want from life that don’t relate to exams. Shantanu advises focusing on what you want and your goals and trying to resist parental and other pressure.

Don’t forget to have fun. It’s important to make sure you also find time to do things you enjoy, even if you’re very busy. Constantly revising without a break can make you feel emotionally and physically drained, so it’s crucial that you take time to step back and do something that you enjoy.

If you have persistent stress and anxiety or you are developing unmanageable physical symptoms then you should speak to your doctor or contact Student Support & Wellbeing who can discuss putting in a support strategy to help you through this time.

Additional support

You can use the free Spectrum Life app to help manage your wellbeing during exams. The app is free to all Kent students and comes with helpful advice, online workshops, guided meditation, and resources to manage your wellbeing during stressful times. You may also find this Student Minds Exam Stress Support useful.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Student Clubs and Activities

This Neurodiversity Celebration Week (17 -23 March) check out some of the social clubs, activities and support for neurodivergent students.

Social Running for ADHD: A supportive running group held every Wednesday during term time, from 12:00-12:45. It’s open to students diagnosed with or waiting for an ADHD assessment, aiming to boost focus and wellbeing through a friendly jog across our Canterbury campus.
Sow Grow and Eat!: A social gardening activity at the Kent Community Oasis Garden that offers students with autism or social anxiety a chance to enjoy nature, socialise, and develop new skills.
Autism Model Making Club: For students interested in creating models, this club fosters creativity and social interaction in a relaxed environment.
Board Games Social Club: Perfect for those who love to meet new people and enjoy games in a friendly setting.
University of Kent Autistics Social Group: A space for students on the autism spectrum to connect with others and share experiences.
ADHD Peer Support Group: A peer-led group designed to provide support and a sense of community for those managing ADHD.
Counselling Team Mindfulness Colouring: A calming activity that encourages mindfulness and relaxation through creative expression.

Check out more events and follow @UniKentSSW on Instagram.

Hear what the students say:

‘The Board Games Social Club is a very friendly and social activity’

‘The social run is an amazing way to connect with people along with keeping ourselves fit while running. Sam and Josh are superb instructors who keep motivating us’

‘As someone who had never run in her life (even after the bus or the train), I was apprehensive to join the run at first. But I thought I would give it a try to meet other students with ADHD, get some exercise in, and essentially get out of my room early in the morning. It was a great decision because I did all of that and also started building my stamina. Running also helped me with my anxiety along with ADHD. Social running is a great way to build a habit. Sam and Josh are wonderful and very supportive. I never thought I would join a running group, let alone enjoy it. I look forward to the run every week. Aiming for 5k in the near future!’ Neha – Masters student

Updating how our teams work together

At Kent, we’re committed to ensuring you have the best possible experience while you study with us. Universities across the UK are facing significant financial challenges, and we’re taking steps to address these at Kent in a way that prioritises your education and wellbeing.

As we updated previously, we recently ran a Voluntary Severance Scheme to make savings by supporting staff who are looking to leave the University. Alongside this, we are making some higher-level changes to how support and administration teams work together. There is no change to the support teams you currently work with at this stage – we’ll let you know if anything student-facing does change if and when this is confirmed.

The proposed changes don’t affect our new Academic Schools and are intended to improve alignment with the new structure. The changes will enable back-office functions to be more student-focused, helping us meet students’ needs now and in the future.

Under the proposal being discussed with staff now, we would bring existing teams together into nine new directorates:

Finance
Information Technology Services
Marketing, Recruitment and External Engagement 
Research, Innovation and Business Development
Student Life 
Campus Services
Planning, Insights and Improvement
Human Resources and Organisational Development 
Governance, Assurance and Legal Services

Several of the current student-facing teams would come together within Student Life, ensuring better cohesion between key teams who support you throughout your time with us. This includes postgraduate support, with dedicated PG activity delivered through the Student Life directorate along with your academic support via your School.

Your Support at Kent

We understand how important it is to have consistent and reliable support throughout your time here. Our teams remain focused on ensuring continuity of support in all areas of university life, from your academic studies to wellbeing, accommodation, and campus services. No matter what changes happen behind the scenes, you can rely on dedicated teams to provide a consistent experience through the changes. This includes:

Student support services for wellbeing, accessibility, and guidance.
Academic advisors and programme teams to help with your studies.
Careers and employability teams to prepare you for life beyond university.
Ongoing supervision for your research if you are a postgraduate student.

From September 2025 we are also making broader changes to support your studies, following the changes to our course portfolio last year. This includes new modules with more industry and employability links, along with a revised academic year structure which means your assessments will happen much closer to when you study your course content. Keep an eye out for further updates on this throughout the term.

Get Exams Ready

If you are sitting exams at Kent this summer, our Exams 2025 guidance is now out!

Guidance includes technical support with online exams, what to expect from in-person exams and support available to you. Your exam timetable will be available on KentVision around two weeks before the end of the Spring term, so week commencing 24 March.

Apply for Exam Adjustments by Friday 7 March

If you need, or think you need, adjusted exam arrangements because of a disability, medical condition, or mental health condition and haven’t yet arranged your ILP, the deadline is this Friday 7 March.

What is LGBT+ History Month?

LGBT+ History Month takes place every February in the UK and is a month-long celebration of LGBTQIA+ identity and observance of the injustices and discrimination faced by the community in the past and faced by many still to this day. LGBTQIA+ people have the right to live their lives as their true, authentic selves free of fear, discrimination or harassment and one of the goals of LGBT+ History Month is to move us as a culture towards a society that is kinder and fairer to LGBTQIA+ people.

The 2025 theme is Activism and Social Change, and is a landmark year as it celebrates 20 years of UK LGBT+ History Month and 50 years of its parent organisation, Schools OUT UK, which was founded in 1974 to campaign for educational change and empowering people in all learning settings to create environments where all LGBT+ people feel safe, seen and supported. UK LGBT+ History Month was founded to be dedicated space to celebrate our rich and diverse history, herstory and theirstory. LGBT+ History Month also chooses and celebrates five individuals every year. This year they are Octavia Hill, Ivor Cummings, Annie Kenney, Charlie Kiss and Olaudah Equian.

What’s On at Kent

At Kent, LGBT+ History Month is co-organised by the University of Kent and Kent Students’ Union, with input and consultation from the LGBT Staff network and the LGBTQIA student network and societies. Events are open for staff and students and the vast majority are free. Check them out on the webpages

Key events include:

The Affirmation Wall (all month): Got something to say to your younger self, your future self, your friends or your loved ones? Find the Affirmation Wall the Templeman Library and add your message of love and hope to it
Poster Making Competition (8 February): Design a poster which will be displayed in the Library. The winning poster with the most votes on Instagram will receive £20 in catering vouchers
Staff and Student social and lunch (13 February): The staff and student networks get together to chat, eat and make friends!
Online Kahoot Quiz (16 February): Struggling to get to anything in person? No worries, the online quiz is for you!

There are loads more events and activities taking place, with more being added to the planning so check back often.

What support is available to me?

We have a large number of resources available to support LGBTQIA+ students at Kent and can signpost to external resources.
Kent Students’ Union (KSU) run the LGBTQIA+ Network to act as a voice for LGBTQIA+ students.
The University has the LGBTQ+ Staff Network, open to any staff member who identifies as LGBTQIA+. The Network hold regular social activities for members and Allies.
The University runs a Gender Affirmation Fund for students who identify as trans, non-binary or gender queer.
The University has an Inclusive Language Guide to help support staff and students in developing their Inclusive Language skills
The Canterbury Trans Network runs a bi-monthly social on campus
The KSU LGBT+ History Month webpages feature a Curiosity Hub, designed to display dozens of films, books, podcasts, celebrities and more – all handpicked by staff and students at Kent, with each recommendation relating to LGBT+ History Month and Pride. There are even hand-out resources as well as links to the various schemes that are available to support LGBTQIA+ students at Kent.

Did you know that university students are no longer eligible for Subject Access Requests by a parent or guardian? We will never share your personal, disclosed information with anyone without your express permission.

What do I do if I have experienced prejudice or discrimination?

We are committed to ensuring that all students and staff are supported at Kent and are able to study and work to their fullest potential. We also take discrimination, harassment and bullying extremely seriously. If you feel that you have been subjected to any form of bullying or discrimination due to your LGBTQIA+ identity, please do report it via the Report and Support tool. This will trigger an investigation and support for you, although you can report anonymously if you prefer.

Look out for more blog posts and information over the course of the month, and we hope you enjoy LGBT+ History Month.

What do I do if I want more information?

If you have any comments or feedback about this month’s activity, or any other History Month or equality, diversity or inclusion related activity, please do email EqualityandDiversity@kent.ac.uk

Sue Sanders Reflects on the Legacy and Impact of LGBT+ History Month

Sue Sanders, a long-time LGBTQIA+ advocate and activist, shared her insights about the formation and evolution of LGBT+ History Month, its impact over the years, and the role that allies, schools, and universities play in promoting inclusivity and supporting LGBTQIA+ rights.

The Birth of LGBT+ History Month and Schools OUT UK

In 1974, a group of teachers in the UK came together to create Schools OUT, a social group that soon became politically charged after the sacking of one of their members, John Warburton, for being openly gay. The group was born out of a necessity to support teachers who were being dismissed due to their sexual orientation—a time when unions, unfortunately, weren’t helping.

By the mid-1980s, Sue Sanders became involved with Schools OUT and worked alongside other key figures like Paul Patrick and Jill Spraggs to challenge Section 28, a piece of legislation designed to prevent the teaching of LGBT+ issues in schools. Despite the law being repealed in 2003, its shadow lingered over educational institutions, leaving many teachers unsure about how to approach LGBTQIA+ topics.

A Quiet Revolution: The Birth of LGBT+ History Month

Recognizing the need for visibility and education, Sue Sanders and Paul Patrick launched LGBT+ History Month in February 2005. While initially funded with a modest grant from the Department of Education, the month quickly grew in scope and popularity. Sanders reflected on how they never imagined the event would reach the scale it has today. In its first year, LGBT+ History Month had over 100 events listed on its website—far exceeding their hopes.

Now, 20 years later, LGBT+ History Month is a well-established part of the educational and cultural calendar. Sanders and the Schools OUT team continue to work tirelessly to highlight the achievements and contributions of LGBT+ individuals, helping to create more inclusive and diverse spaces.

A Shifting Curriculum: The Power of Themes

Each year, Sanders and the small team behind LGBT+ History Month carefully select a theme. In 2025, the theme is “Activism and Social Change,” a timely and relevant topic in the face of increasing opposition to LGBT+ rights both in the UK and globally. The theme allows educators to tie discussions about LGBTQIA+ history to wider societal movements, enabling students to understand how activism and social change intersect with LGBT+ issues.

Alongside the annual theme, Sanders and her colleagues select five LGBT+ figures to focus on during the month. In 2025, these include Octavia Hill, a founder of the National Trust; Charlie Kiss, a pioneering trans activist; and Annie Kenney, a bisexual working-class suffragette. Each of these figures embodies the intersectional nature of LGBT+ identity, representing a mix of race, gender, and social class.

The Impact of LGBT+ History Month: Celebrating Progress

Reflecting on the progress made over the past two decades, Sanders noted significant changes in societal attitudes. Museums, archives, and educational institutions are now more likely to recognize and honour the identities of LGBT+ people. However, she pointed out that there is still work to be done—particularly when it comes to disabled LGBT+ individuals, whose contributions are often overlooked.

LGBT+ History Month has not only raised awareness of LGBT+ history but also helped support other marginalized communities. Sanders played an instrumental role in establishing other history months, such as Women’s History Month and Disabled History Month, highlighting the need to recognize and celebrate the diversity of human experience.

The Role of Universities in Supporting LGBT+ Rights

When asked about the role of universities in advocating for LGBT+ rights, Sanders emphasized their responsibility to provide safe and supportive environments for LGBT+ students. Universities must do more than just offer a safe space; they should actively work to support LGBT+ students’ needs, including ensuring visibility for trans people, offering resources, and developing policies to address hate crime and bullying.

Given the rising attacks on trans rights globally, Sanders stressed that universities must take a proactive role in challenging harmful rhetoric and ensuring that LGBT+ students feel welcome on campus.

Allies: A Crucial Force for Change

The conversation also turned to the importance of allies in the fight for LGBT+ rights. Sanders noted that allies have always played a crucial role in advocating for LGBT+ rights, citing how some of the most impactful progress during the Section 28 fight was made with the help of straight allies. Allies, she said, need to educate themselves, challenge homophobia and transphobia when they see it, and actively support LGBT+ people.

A Hope for the Future: Usualising Diversity

When reflecting on her legacy, Sanders expressed the hope that one day LGBT+ History Month will no longer be necessary because LGBT+ identities will be fully integrated into society. She emphasized the importance of “usualising” rather than “normalising” diversity, a concept she introduced after the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, to encourage the acceptance and celebration of all marginalized groups, not just as “normal” but as vital contributors to society.

In her closing thoughts, Sanders emphasized that tackling issues like homophobia, racism, and ableism cannot be done in isolation. The work to create an inclusive society requires addressing all forms of prejudice and discrimination.

Looking Forward

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of LGBT+ History Month, Sanders’ legacy is firmly rooted in the ongoing work to make the world a more inclusive place for all. Her tireless advocacy and commitment to visibility continue to inspire new generations of activists, educators, and allies. While there is still much work to be done, Sanders remains hopeful that, through collective action, the fight for equality will continue to progress.

For more information about LGBT+ History Month and to get involved, visit the official website at LGBT+ History Month.