Food Voucher Scheme
Our Food Voucher Scheme was introduced in response to the national cost-of-living crisis. The scheme can provide students in urgent need with a £50 gift card for a low-cost supermarket, near to the University.
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Any current Keele University student who is experiencing financial difficulties can request a food voucher from this scheme.
The Food Voucher Scheme operates on a collection only basis. Therefore, applicants must be able to collect from campus.
If needed, we will give priority to the following student groups:
- Students with children
- Students with caring responsibilities
- Care leavers
- Students who are estranged from their family
- Students with a disability
Our Food Voucher Scheme applications are managed by the Financial Support Team. If you are struggling financially and would like to request a food voucher, then please contact the Financial Support Team through any of the following methods:
- by email (student.services@keele.ac.uk)
- by phone call (01782 734481)
- by coming to one of our face-to-face drop in sessions
The team will discuss your circumstances with you, and will also be able to advise on any additional support available for your situation.
Once a food voucher is approved, we will email you to confirm details for collection. Collection will ordinarily be from the Student Services Hub, open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday.
You must collect within 1 week or we may need to re-allocate the gift card to another student in urgent need.
The food vouchers are issued as 'orange' Aldi gift cards. The 'orange' card allows you to purchase:
- Groceries
- Infant formula milk
- Toiletries, such as shower gel and toothpaste
- Home essentials, such as washing up liquid and laundry detergent
There are 5 Aldi stores situated within a 5-mile radius of Keele University, with the closest Aldi store located in Newcastle town centre (35 minute walk or 10 minute bus journey).
You can find your nearest Aldi store on the Aldi store finder.
Students are only able to apply to the Food Voucher Scheme once during the same academic year. This is to ensure that as many students as possible can receive support. Therefore, duplicate applications will not be accepted.
There are several additional financial support schemes available - you can find out more on our financial support webpages.
Please contact the Financial Support Team if you would like to discuss appropriate alternative support (student.services@keele.ac.uk).
If you're unable to travel to campus to collect a food voucher or if you've already received a food voucher from this scheme, you may be able to access support from local food banks.
In order to access food banks, you may need a referral from a frontline professional, such as your GP or Citizen's Advice. Unfortunately, Keele University is unable to provide referrals.
Some examples of local food banks and social supermarkets include:
You can find a food bank in your local area on the Trussel Trust website.