Around campus, there’s been much excitement over the Christmas season but for those who are wondering how they’re going to survive the coming months, festivites have been more stressful than jolly.
Second-year Graphic Design student, Lucas Hill, has spent the last couple of months applying for part-time jobs in Falmouth due to an increase in his rent this year compared to last year.
“I plan to work through Christmas, including Christmas Eve if [the employer] needs me to,” he says, as managers are currently seeking Christmas temps.
He highlights, “I don’t buy anything that isn’t food, rent or uni related,” and even if he manages to pay his next rent installment due in January, there may not be enough money left over for groceries.
University initiatives formed by the Students Union (The SU) are there to make living costs somewhat easier in both Falmouth and Penryn campuses such as ‘Soup Fridays’ where homemade soup is made at the SU using plant-based and local ingredients, and then given to Falmouth and Exeter students for free every week, alongside the free food pantry.
SU Vice President, Marketa Carruthers, says that “students should never be going hungry, so the pantry is available and restocked every week for any student to help themselves without questions asked.”
Whilst these initiatives are helpful, Lucas claims that every time he’s been to the Woodlane campus’ pantry, the shelves are more or less empty – an issue reported previously on The Mouth.
The pantry cannot be relied on for everyday needs either, so implementing affordable shopping habits may be more vital than ever, which Lucas says for him is going to Lidl despite the distance it is from his current accommodation in Falmouth.
But he isn’t the only one who has to decide between distance and price.
Survey results of supermarkets conducted by Amal Brepotra
In a survey ranging from four different grocery stores – Tesco, Asda, Lidl and Sainsbury’s – 42.1% said they buy most of their food from Lidl mainly due to the cheaper costs.
The runner-up to Lidl is Asda with 26.3% voting for the Penryn store, which tends to have more variety of products without being too pricey.
15.8% voted for Tesco Express and for Sainbury’s.
Reasonings for both revolved around the rewards card schemes both stores provide with the Tesco Clubcard lowering some prices of products upon checkout, and Sainsbury’s Nectar Card lets customers have a few quid off their shopping.
With the festive period fast approaching, being able to afford a food shop can cause greater difficulty for many, which is why Marketa initiated a recent scheme to deliver free bags containing full meals to those residing in Glasney Village and Packsaddle Hill.
“Jake Causley from the Falmouth sustainability team and I are planning to do another free food bag around Christmas for students that are not going or are not able to go home for Christmas,” she says.
SU Vice-President, Marketa Carruthers from the SU website
When asked whether this scheme would continue into next semester, Marketa says she is unsure as sabbatical officers only have limited funding but if enough students gave feedback saying they valued the food bags, then the SU may be able to secure long-term funding from each university.
Even with university financial support, free schemes and the hunt for some extra income, uncertainty still lingers for students this winter season and at a time that’s meant to be merry and bright, some may just have to accept the sacrifices of losing time with loved ones this Christmas.