This year, Essentials, LUU’s basic needs hub, has entered into a brand new partnership with Fare Share. Created for students who may have financial difficulties, Essentials will help you find emergency food assistance, breakfast products and personal items when you need them the most. Students can access a range of ambient, household and stationery items each week and from September we will be hosting a range of workshops and events to enhance student sense of belonging.
Essentials is a vital provision for students. It not only gives them access to a range of basic needs items but also fosters a sense of belonging and gaining new skills by the volunteering opportunities it provides. This year alone we have had a bank of 45 volunteers with 25 of those gaining certificates showcasing their outstanding commitment to Essentials. Essentials also provides LUU with invaluable insight into student perspectives on the cost of living and wider student contributions which act as an enabler to students accessing broader provisions within the organisation.
This year, we have partnered with Fare Share, an incredible organisation who aim to end hunger and reduce the amount of waste which accumulates within the UK. This is a perfect partnership for us to engage in, fitting with our aims to educate students on basic needs, learn vital skills and teach the importance of community.
The new partnership involves Essentials/LUU becoming a Community Food Member (CFM). This gives us access to a range of benefits, gaining more items each week for students in need. These items will range from ambient foods, to fruits and vegetables, to household items such as soap and bleach. These are items which will often go to waste, and, alongside Fare Share, we aim to deplete this waste.
Our Essentials lead, Meg Darroch, has said ‘This partnership is a big win for us as a service but the reason behind it is students. I strive for the betterment of students’ experiences, and this partnership means that students have access to items when they need it. When students are in need, they truly rely on us, and we want to deliver and put our best foot forward for the students so this will create certainty, enhanced skill development and learning further about nutrition.’
As times are changing, we understand that costs will not go down in line with this. Therefore, we believe it is crucial to create ways where our students have access to their basic needs. The partnership creates so many opportunities. We aim to launch a recipe card competition using the items we are given and many ideas in the pipeline linked to ensuring students can fuel their passions and have access to essential items.
Essentials aims to be the accessible resource any student may need. LUU Essentials represents more than just a support hub, but it is a lifeline for students in need. By addressing basic needs, we create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We are so excited to enter this new partnership with Fare Share, and are ready to see this year’s growth in the service with this new development.
Article by Isla Plant (She/Her)
Leeds University Student Writer
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