Partnership provides free meals for students during busy exam period

The University of Portsmouth has teamed up with Havant and South Downs College to provide free meals for University students during their busy and stressful exam period.

Every Monday and Tuesday between 5 and 6pm from 13 May to 25 June, talented hospitality apprentices from the College will be cooking up free tasty meals for students to take home and enjoy.

The Have Dinner on Us initiative is a unique collaboration where the hospitality apprentices cook the meals in the Southdowns kitchen facility and then bring them to campus. In return, all the meals made are donated to the University's students at an important time of exams and end-of-year final assignments.

Have Dinner on Us has been developed by the University’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Centre for Continuing Professional Development. Due to its popularity last year, the initiative is running again this year, with sponsorship from The Coastal Kitchen Family.

Professor Stephen Corbett, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, said: “We all know how hard exams can be, and this, coupled with the additional burden of the cost of living, we were keen to continue to provide extra support to our students at this busy, stressful and important time of year. 

“We are always eager to find ways in which we can develop collaborations for the benefit of all. I’m so pleased that our colleagues at HSDC have agreed to work with us again to provide free meals, while also giving their apprentices the opportunity to apply their skills in a different work environment.”

Mike Gaston, Principal of HSDC, said: “It was great to see first-hand the satisfaction that this collaborative project brought. Meals cooked by very talented hospitality Apprentices from HSDC and students from the University of Portsmouth enjoying the delicious creations during their exam period.

“The initiative not only provides nourishment at what can be a stressful time, but also fosters a sense of community and support among students during the busy exams period. Sometimes a warm meal can make all the difference. Certainly, they seemed well received with students even asking for the recipes! Congratulations to all the students involved and good luck to all sitting exams at this time.”

Lucy Branson, co-founder of The Coastal Kitchen Family, said: “As a group founded on the value of community, we were thrilled to be identified as a sponsor for this project. Building strong connections with the next generation of chefs is our top priority. This initiative not only benefits the student community, but enables the chefs of tomorrow to gain experience in executing a busy operation.”

Meals are available on a pre-bookable basis only, so students must book in advance. Collection is from the Café in the University’s Park building.