BBCA university student in Kent has begun harvesting his own vegetables in response to the cost of living crisis.
Archie Molt, a third-year student at Canterbury Christ Church University, has formed a greenhouse society on campus to provide fellow finance-conscious students with food.
The average student debt is estimated to be about £40,000 in England, with more than three quarters (78%) of students naming money worries as a source of stress, according to a survey by Experian.
The university said: “We understand how the current cost of living crisis is affecting everyone, and we are working in partnership with our students’ union to help support students in a number of ways.”
Universities in England say annual tuition fees, which are currently about £9,000, need to rise in line with inflation, which could mean an increase as high as £13,000.
Mr Molt says he harvests his own leeks, onions, potatoes and tomatoes through the greenhouse society, which are given away to fellow students.
“We saw the greenhouses and thought: Why couldn’t they be used to grow food during the cost-of-living crisis?” he said.
At Canterbury Christ Church University, a welcome event being held for freshers this month offers support to those who may be financially struggling.
Caoimhe Conheeney, who is taking an MA course, said: “The student union provides a free food pantry, free breakfast every day, free hot and cold drinks, free sanitary products and long-term supported advice.”
Ms Conheeney and Mr Mott say that in recent years students have been going out less to bars and clubs due to having less spending power and changing attitudes to drinking.
However, Ms Conheeney said that it was still possible to go out on a budget in Canterbury.
“There are loads of restaurants and cafes offering student discount, so there’s never a fear they can’t go out and be able to see what’s going on,” she said.
Lisa Carlson, chief executive of Canterbury Business Improvement District, which works towards improving the city, said students were vital to the local economy.
“The student pound in the city is really valued, but of course cost-of-living has impacted everyone,” she said.
“We have all had to evolve and adapt.”
