Leeds students receive 300 survival kit packages with basic food and toiletries for lockdown 3

Leeds based charity It’s Our Day has issued over 300 ‘survival kit’ packages containing basic necessities for students struggling in lockdown.

It’s Our Day has been providing students with ‘survival kit’ packages across Leeds. The packages contain basic necessities including food staples, toiletries, cleaning products and details of crisis contact numbers.

The packages aim to 'promote well-being' as these necessities 'often fall down the list of priorities when budgets are stretched.'

A spokesperson from It’s Our Day told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “Work opportunities for students right now are extremely limited but they are not a group that falls under any of the protective packages offered by Government. In fact, a recent scoping review commissioned by us highlights that there are almost no societal protective factors for students

“The packages, as well as containing basic necessities, also contains some homemade soup and a crusty roll along with a laminated recipe card to use as a fridge magnet. The recipe is a very simple to make, we aim to prompt an awareness of the link between food and mood.

“We also want to highlight that students do not take the boxes for the sake of it. During the takeaway version, students would still come for the soup, sandwich and a chat and often students would say "I don't need a box this week I am still working through last weeks, we know supplies are limited let someone else have a chance.”

Alexandra Somers and Caitlin O’Nions are both volunteers at It’s Our Day. They said: “Students are still expected to pay full rent and tuition fees and are currently struggling to find jobs to keep up payments.

“The food parcels provided by It's Our Day don't make the recipient feel negatively about seeking some extra help with a free parcel. They are presented in such a way that students won't feel shame or guilt for accepting some additional necessities.”

So far, the charity has distributed over 300 boxes in student areas such as Hyde Park, Headingly and Woodhouse since the beginning of November.

Leeds student Hilda Idowu said: “The survival kit has truly been a means of survival for me as a student. Everything I need, even lady products were provided for in the kit.

“As I am an international student without family here in the UK, I felt loved and welcomed as there was no discrimination in who received the items.”

It’s Our Day added: “This wouldn’t have been possible without Asda Wakefield who made donations towards the packages”.

Lisa Staggs, Asda Wakefield Community Champion said, "We're really proud to have been able to provide donations of products to 'It’s Our Day' that will help the charity who are sending out care packages to students across the city who are really struggling during this lockdown."