Tuesday 01-04-2025 - 09:36

Natalie, your Swansea Campus President, has been busy working with you to gather information on how the Cost of Living Crisis affects you and your time at university. There have been multiple surveys, pop-ups and answering your questions, all with one goal – to help improve your student experience. 

Social Spaces Survey

Last academic year, Natalie ran a series of pop-ups and questionnaires asking what you wanted to see in your student spaces on campus. Through these surveys, she was able to see that there was an ask for more items such as microwaves and kettles on campus, which would allow you to make hot food and drinks on demand, helping make your student experience more affordable.

Having seen how many people were struggling with Cost of Living, I decided to make this one of my focuses for this academic year.

- Natalie Beard, Swansea Campus President

Microwaves and Kettles

Natalie, the Students’ Union and the University team have worked together to provide you with multiple stations on your Swansea Campuses where you will be able to access free microwaves and kettles regardless of the time you are on campus.

Locations

There are now kettles and microwaves in the following spaces on campus:

Swansea Business Campus
3rd Floor café, microwave provided by the University and kettle has been added by the Students’ Union

Dynevor Campus
3rd Floor Café, both microwave and kettle provided by the Students’ Union

IQ Campus
Ground Floor – to the right of the Students’ Union space, microwave and kettle provided by the Students’ Union

1st Floor, microwave provided by the University

2nd Floor, microwave provided by the University

Dylan Thomas Centre
Ground Floor, Students’ Union area, microwave, kettle and coffee machine, provided by the Students’ Union

Other Cost of Living Support

With the Cost of Living Survey, Natalie has been able to find key areas of needed support. Your voice is vital in helping lobby for more support from the university and beyond. 

To have your say, fill out our Cost of Living survey

Food Hubs

No one should go to class hungry - If you’re on one of our Welsh campuses, you can now grab a Pot Noodle or Cup-a-Soup for free – along with other food items. You can pick these up from the campus food hubs.

Your food hubs are run by the university; for any questions please email operations@uwtsd.ac.uk

Swansea

IQ Campus
Ground Floor

Dynevor Campus
3rd Floor Café

Swansea Business Campus
3rd Floor café

More locations are coming soon!

Period Products

Period product Pick n Mix units are on campus; this initiative was started by Taya Gibbons, Group President 2023/24 and it is being continued by Natalie, with more being added to campus to make accessing these necessities easier.

You can find one of our Students’ Union Pick n Mix units across all our campuses; they are branded with the Students’ Union branding and are filled with items for you to take when needed completely free. 

Currently available in our Pick n Mix units are: 
condoms, tampons, lube, sanitary towels

Please note that item types might slightly vary depending on the campus and availability.  

Locations

Swansea:  
Dynevor Campus, basement opposite the toilets
Dylan Thomas Centre, Students’ Union Reception

Carmarthen: 
Students' Union Office

Lampeter: 
Students' Union Office 

Cardiff: 
Student Print Area 

London: 
Ground floor, opposite from the toilets 
1st floor, opposite from the toilets 

Birmingham (Quay Place): 
Louisa House – 1st floor, near the back of the student common room 
Vincent House – ground floor, opposite the IT help desk

Birmingham (Sparkhill): 
Ground floor, near the back of the student common room

Social Spaces on Campus

You asked for more social spaces on your Swansea campuses and we’re bringing them to you, Natalie is currently working with the university to find the perfect place for them on your campuses.

But there is now a student social space in the Dylan Thomas Centre – with us in the Students’ Union!

In this space you will find a giant sofa, games consoles (PS5 and Nintendo Wii), board games, microwaves, kettles and a fridge, and they’re all free to use!

How can I use the space?
This student social space is open between 09:00 - 17:00, Monday to Friday - and Clubs and Societies can book to use the space outside these hours by emailing our Student Opportunities team at suopportunities@uwtsd.ac.uk