The Cost of Living crisis has had a huge impact on everyone, including students & their families. We have put together a selection of resources and useful contacts below to support you during this time. Click on the links against each post to be directed to the organisation or resource.
Dumfries & Galloway College – Free Breakfast & Soup with a roll
All Dumfries & Galloway College Students can get a FREE Breakfast at each campus with our Breakfast Club 8:30am – 10:15am in the Canteen.
Throughout December, all DGC Students can also collect a FREE soup & roll from the canteen during their lunch period, starting at 12pm. The soup is self service, however you must still be head to the till so that we can record the demand for the service.
Dumfries & Galloway College – Student Food Bank
Both of our campuses have a Student Food Bank. In Dumfries this can be found in Room 1012b within The Point (look for the poster on the door). In Stranraer, this can be found in The Student Association room.
Our Food Banks are free for all students to help themselves. You do not require a referral and can simply take what you need.
Student Discount – Variety of organisations
Our main college website includes a page detailing discount that you may qualify for as a student.
This includes Uni Days, and Student Beans which you can register to for free access to a huge range of discounts on your shopping both in store and online.
Dumfries & Galloway Council – Cost of Living Webpage
This website has a range of areas including: Support for income, Help for Households, Help with Work, Families and Young People, Older or Disabled People, Health & Wellbeing and much more.
The Holywood Trust – Grants for Young People (Age 15-25)
You can apply to The Holywood Trust for a grant if you are a young person normally residing in Dumfries & Galloway and require financial support to move your life forward in some way.
The Grants could include support for:
To support young people who are in difficulties because of exceptional circumstances (i.e. homelessness, substance misuse, health issues, disabilities, criminal justice, financial hardship etc.)
To purchase household items for a young person leaving care
To contribute towards training, skills development, and higher education opportunities (excluding additional or post-graduate degrees)
To support young people who find it difficult to participate in clubs and activities due to financial hardship.
To participate in a particular activity (i.e. sports an performing arts at regional, national or international level).
To purchase musical instruments or sporting equipment.
This list is by no means exhaustive. If you are in any doubt or have any questions contact The Holywood Trust on funds@holywood-trust.org.uk
Find out more about The Holywood Trust and the support they can offer here
SHAX Dumfries – Homelessness & Crisis Support
SHAX supports local people in crisis through homelessness and/or poverty.
SHAX can provide two key services for people in crisis making sure that local people are not without basic household essentials when moving in to a new tenancy:
1 – Emergency Starter Packs – Starter Packs provide a basic household kit for individuals or families and are tailored to each client’s needs. Packs can include kitchen ware, household cleaning kit, bedding and basic electrical goods (i.e. toaster, kettle).
2 – Emergency Loan Service – SHAX provide a fridge, folding bed, chairs or other small household items to help clients feel comfortable at home until they either receive Community Care Grant goods or can afford to buy these essential items.
SHAX run a furniture re-use warehouse and town centre shop in Dumfries. These allow people to buy quality, re-used items at low cost. You can find the SHAX warehouse at Merrick House on The Crichton Estate and the SHAX shop at 4 Nith Street, Dumfries (opposite the bus stand at the Loreburn Centre)
Contact Shax
Telephone: 01387 245358
Email: info@shax.org.uk
Dumfries & Galloway Citizens Advice Service – Free, confidential & independent advice on a wide range of subjects
Dumfries & Galloway Citizens Advice Service (DAGCAS) urges anyone who needs, or knows someone who needs, support, advice and guidance to contact them on:
Phone: 0300 303 4321
Online – www.dagcas.org
Email: info@dagcas.org
DAGCAS also have a Self Help Debt Pack full of fantastic information on Debt Management, Budgeting, Debt Solutions, Money Management and more – Part 1 can be found in the DAGCAS office, and Part 2 is attached below with Template Letters, Full Budget Template to complete, and summary budget to end to creditors.
There is no issue that DAGCAS would not try to help and support you with.
Princes Trust – Help for Young People
Get up to £500 of free funding to train and learn with Princes Trust. If you are aged 16 – 24, Princes Trust Development Awards can cover the cost of course fees, tools or equipment to help you achieve your goals.
What can the Development Awards cover?
– Travel until your first wage
– Certifications & Qualifications
– Childcare
– Tools, kit & Equipment
– Badges & licenses
– Uniforms & chef whites
– Interview Clothes
– Plus MUCH more!
Due to restrictions from funders, Princes Trust can only provide these services to those aged 16-24 and working less than 16 hours per week/studying less than 14 hours per week. If you are currently studying more than this, you can access these services following completion of your course.
Princes Trust do offer a range of other programmes for support which cover up to age 30 to support individuals in developing skills and confidence. Find out more HERE
Save the Student Website – The student money website for everything student finance. Get the latest student discounts, student jobs, make money ideas and more.
If you are from an organisation who can offer Cost of Living Support which would support or benefit our students and would like details added to this page, please send details to Danielle Hughes, Student Association President on hughesda@dumgal.ac.uk
