Coins in a glass jar pouring out
Coins in a glass jar pouring out

Money talks: UWL Student Money Week gets people thinking about money

Intro

Taking place at the from 23-27 October 2023, the University of West London’s Student Money Week included information sessions and stands in both St Mary’s Road and Paragon campuses.

Article body

The London Metropolitan Police Central Specialist Crime unit had quite an impact when they visited St Mary’s Road, as UWL Head of Student Money & Immigration Advice, Alan Shannon-Smith explains.

They brought a banner with them with a QR code that said: ‘scan this’ and then told students they shouldn't have scanned it without checking what it was - it could be a scam. A lot of students were quite engaged by that message,”

he says.

An information stand was run at lunchtimes by members of Alan’s team, together with student ambassadors.

The stalls mean that students can easily come up and ask questions so we can explain our services and the different funds that are available. And although take up for the budgeting presentation session was limited, the students who went got the chance to engage and have a personalised chat with the money advisors,”

Alan says.

All year round, the UWL Student Money Advisors are there to support people with their finances, managing their money and provide financial support, especially since the cost of living has become so challenging. Earlier in the year, it awarded £160,000 in grants to a total of 514 students to help with rising bills.

That money came from the Office for Students. Alongside it, we have allocated over £46,000 to 42 students from our own Student Support Fund, helped 39 students with graduation costs and supported eight law students with the costs of trips to schools overseas. We also awarded over £29,000 in support for displaced Ukrainian students,”

Alan explains.

Student Money Week takes place in conjunction with the Part-time Jobs Fair and both events had very good take up. The next Student Money Week will take place alongside the Part-time Jobs Fair in March 2024.

Related news