‘MY FAMILY WOKE AT FOUR IN THE MORNING, THE WHOLE HOUSE WAS SHAKING, THE CEILINGS WERE CRACKED AND THE DOORS DAMAGED’
By Lara Hassan
to work overtime, perhaps because I need the money and I’m not able to because I’ve already done my 20 hours that week,” said KU student Tanaya Patel.
Patel, who works at a pub in Kingston, said she does not understand why she has a work limit in the frst place and because of the cost of living, most international students she knows are “ready to work more” in order to live and study at Kingston.
However this could pose a challenge as to how to balance work and studies.
“Realistically, no student is going to start working more hours than the current limit because we are still students at the end of the day.
By Gabrielle RisasiPrime Minister Rishi Sunak is considering plans to either increase the 20-hours a week work limit to 30-hours or to remove it completely in order to fll job vacancies in the UK.
According to a report in The Times, ministers are looking at “what more can be done to remove barriers and encourage students to work”, a move which could help fll vacancies in the retail and hospitality industries.
Some KU international students are thrilled by the news and hope that the proposals go through so they could work as many hours as necessary.
“It wouldn’t hurt to be able to get in a couple more hours at work. Sometimes I want
Following the low attendance rates in previous years at Kingston, the University announced in September that it is mandatory for students to attend all in-person timetabled events and if they need to miss one, to explain their reason on the SEAtS app.
Some students, however, said they do not trust the system as some of the card readers do not recognise their ID cards properly and the app does not always work.
“I usually use the app to check in but then it shows me as absent,” said a thirdyear international student from Jordan.
Another international student from Bangladesh said that this has also happened to him “multiple times”.
The reported technical is-
sues mean many students say that their attendance is showing as lower than it actually is.
For international students poor attendance risks their visa being taken away.
“This issue afects my experience in university because if my attendance went below 80%, the check-in team might report it to the UKVI and it is possible to reach to a level where they will cancel my student visa and ask me to leave the country,” said the international student.
A University spokesperson said that anyone can report technical issues and possibly get their app fxed.
“The SEAtS app makes use of Bluetooth technology, so students need to ensure this is enabled on their device.
“If students are unable to log their attendance in a
particular room, they can report this at the time of their class using the SEAtS app on their mobile device by selecting ‘add absence’, allowing the University to investigate any issues reported with the devices in the rooms.”
the pandemic, the Home Secretary Suella Braverman has proposed plans to limit the amount international students can work by reducing the length of their visas after they have completed their studies.
She wants to cut the stay from two years to six months as part of plans which would also limit the number of international students coming to the UK to help meet Rishi Sunak’s pledge to cut immigration.
SEAtS can also detect if the student is late to a lecture.
Credit: Mihaela Kirilova
“We don’t really have the time to work, but it’s still important to at least have the freedom to do so when you can, because sometimes it’s needed,” said KU student Rashidi Balakrishnan.
Despite the staf shortages that have followed Brexit and
The Times reported that Braverman is wary of anything that could make international study in the UK more attractive. She argues that making it easier for students to work would increase immigration as well as the possible misuse of the graduate visa.
Both the Department for Education and the Department for International Trade are thought to be against the idea of reducing the length of the post-study work visa.
The number of EU students enrolling at Kingston University is set to rise for the 2023/24 academic year in spite of complications primarily caused by Brexit.
EU students enrolling on UK undergraduate or postgraduate courses was at 66,680 in 2020, the year before Brexit, but dropped to 31,000 in 2021.
A Kingston University spokesperson said: “The University recorded a slight drop in the number of students from the EU enrolling for the 2020/21 academic year, however applications are now rising again, with an increase in undergraduate applications from EU students recorded for the upcoming 2023/24 academic year.
“There have also been increases in the numbers of international students enrolling at the University from coun-
tries outside the EU, including China, India and Nigeria, in recent years.”
The number of Chinese students studying in the UK has risen from 107,000 in 201718 to 151,000 in 2021-22.
EU students are no longer eligible for domestic fees that UK students are entitled to and student fnance is not available to them.
In England, EU students used to pay £9,250 a year but the cost has now risen to between £11,400 to £38,000 a year.
Non-Irish European students must get visas and show proof they can fnancially support themselves on £1,334 a month for London courses and £1,024 a month outside London.
A Department of Education spokesperson said EU students remain “an important part” of their international education strategy, despite the challenges they now face.
Kingston’s air pollution has been rising rapidly since the beginning of the year and last month hit level 10 – the highest level there is on the government’s air pollution index.
The rapid rise is a worrying trend that puts everyone in the borough at risk. While eforts are being made to improve Kingston’s air quality, many residents say that these are simply not enough.
Kingston’s current AQI (air quality index) rating is 3.5 times the level set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The main pollutant in Kingston’s air is a pollutant known as PM 2.5, this pollutant is ‘fne particle matter’ and is noted by the WHO and leading scientists as a concern for people’s health. When PM 2.5 levels are very high the air can appear hazy.
The concerns associated with high levels of PM 2.5 come from the fact that the particles can get deep into the lungs and even the bloodstream. Exposure can lead to lung and heart problems as well as severe breathing difficulties.
Another pollutant found in Kingston’s air is nitrogen dioxide and Kingston’s air has one of the highest concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in the capital.
Dr Jon Walsh who works with The London Air Quality
Network (LAQN) said: “The air pollution in London right now is very concerning. In 2020 we frst saw air pollution listed on the death certifcate of a nine year-old child and it is estimated that air pollution is responsible for the deaths of around 9500 Londoners per year.
“This is why we must act fast on tackling this problem.”
The causes of Kingston’s air pollution problems are many. Like many places in London, Kingston has heavy trafc, congestion and highrise buildings that reduce air
circulation. Kingston is also home to major construction projects which can also increase air pollution.
Kingston students Dalia Kenerson and Alex Svieserly said the pollution is a real concern for them. Svieserly said: “I have asthma and I have noticed that since moving to London, I’ve had to use my inhaler a lot more and have experienced chest pains at times.
“I’d like to be able to be outdoors more, but as it stands with the current air pollution levels, I know
that’s not advisable.”
Kenerson said “Air pollution is terrifying. We’ve got levels of pollutants that are a major concern and I’m worried that not enough is being done.
“Even since the ULEZ introduction in central London, it feels like the problem is getting worse.”
Although we are all vulnerable to the impact of air pollution, some people are particularly vulnerable. According to the LAQN children, the elderly and those who have pre-existing respiratory difculties are at high risk of serious consequences
due to air pollution.
During times of high air pollution, those who are more vulnerable to the impact of air pollution are advised to limit outdoor exercise, avoid busy roads and change their exercise routine to avoid heavy breathing.
Dr Walsh said: “Air pollution is more common in towns and cities because it builds up due to busier roads and often becomes trapped due to the high amount of high-rise buildings. It’s worse during still or rainy weather.
“There are many ways to help decrease the pollution in the air, using more public transport or electric vehicles is a good idea and less polluting methods of transport, like cycling or walking.
“For the government, limiting construction projects and investing in green energy is necessary.”
Those concerned can fnd daily levels of air pollution on the LAQN website as well as other resources online. Air pollution sensors for the home are available and DEFRA’s independent Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) has guidance on those available on their website.
Kingston also has its own Citizens Assembly on Air Quality which works with the Council to improve the quality of air in the borough details of which can be found on the Council website.
Andreas Kirsch, the leader of Kingston Council has described the Mayor of London’s scrappage scheme as insufcient and has called for a delay to the extension of the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ).
After heavy criticism of the decision to expand ULEZ to outer London boroughs from August, Mayor Sadiq Khan launched a £110m scrappage scheme in support of business, charities, and Londoners on low incomes to help them replace the highest polluting vehicles.
Of the scheme Kirsch said: “While the amount on ofer
through this scheme isn’t suffcient, its important residents and business know what’s available, as we continue to push the Mayor to further extend this initiative and delay the introduction of ULEZ.”
If you drive a vehicle that does not meet emissions standards inside the expanded ULEZ, you could face a daily charge of £12.50.
Kirsch has criticised the proposed expansion as it could leave some of the borough’s residents and businesses struggling to cope due to a cost-of-living crisis.
In a letter to the Mayor, Councillor Kirsch wrote, “We have so far been engaging
positively with Transport for London, actively seeking a dialogue, but I would urge you to allow more time for the implementation of the ULEZ in the outer London boroughs to allow for mitigation measures to be put into place.”
Kirsch also highlighted that the lack of frequent and accessible public transport in many areas of the borough, meant residents had to rely on their cars, and invited Sadiq Khan himself to come to Kingston on public transport to see the issues frst hand.
He called for a commitment to invest in the borough’s public transport and travel network.
Dog friendly, plant-based cafe and bar, Wags n Tales, has closed both its branches, in Surbiton and Twickenham.
On their Facebook page the owners said “the cost of living, the energy crisis (1000% rise in both locations!), stafing shortages and all-round increased costs” were major factors in their decision to shut their doors.
Former KU student, Poppy Fox said: “Being a student and also having a young pet proves a hard task when you’re trying to study.
When I found Wags n Tales I was able to bring my cat to a study session and feel like both of our needs were being met. The staf played a huge part in creating a welcoming and inclusive space.”
Fox added: “It’s the frst ever cafe I’ve seen that has been so well catered to both people and animals, it was a safe, cosy, clean environment that will be dearly missed.”
According to the Ofce for National Statistics, electricity prices in the UK increased by 65.4% and gas prices rose by
128.9% in 2022, which has made owning a small business more fnancially challenging than ever before.
The end of free movement after Brexit has exacerbated staf shortages in the hospitality sector.
A joint survey by UK Hospitality revealed that the highest shortages are for front of house roles followed by
kitchen porters and assistant managers.
Former Wags n Tales employee, Edward Jemes, commented under the closure post: “I’m very sorry to hear this. I truly had a great time working there, had fun times and met amazing people! All the best wishes for the future.”
Meanwhile Kingston residents are fghting to reopen The Cricketers pub on Fairfeld South that was forced to close in 2019.
Kingston residents need to continue their support for local cafes, restaurants and bars during these unprecedented times to give them the best chance of staying on the high street.
Kingston Upon Thames has ofcially welcomed 10 chimp sculptures from the hugely successful Chimps
Are Family exhibition which was previously at London Bridge.
The exhibition arrived on January 27 and will be on display for the next six months. It has been created by established artists Gillie and Marc in conjunction with Kingston First, the town’s business improvement initiative.
The instillation includes 10 out of the original 18 chimps and is designed to be an interactive experience for residents.
The artists want to encourage everyone to get close, touching the chimps’ faces,
examining their hands, and giving them a hug.
The work is designed to encourage the conservation of the animals with the hope
of inspiring love and connection.
It showcases the chimps taking part in common activities such as playing and using tools, as well as expressing the emotions of love, laughter, and grief.
They represent real behaviours and provide a snapshot of a world that most people never get to experience.
The sculptures are based on real animals that the artists Gillie and Marc met while studying in the wild.
Each chimp also has its own QR code, which you can scan to reveal information about the work needed to protect these wonderful animals.
Working with WWF, the artists hope that by putting wildlife front and centre in major cities the public will
see the animals as something worth protecting.
The QR code also gives the option to donate funds that goes directly to save chimpanzees.
Gillie who was born in Kingston and spent her early years in the town, said: “The exhibit is very close to my heart.”
All animals were welcome at the Cafe. Credit: Georgia McJannett-Smith
By Lara Hassan
Kingston students with family in the region hit by powerful earthquakes on Monday are desperate for news from home. Two powerful earthquakes hit southern Turkey and northwest Syria, killing thousands of people and destroying whole neighbourhoods.
Tala Sultan, a Syrian student at Kingston University frst heard of the disaster through social media.
She went on to learn her family home in Hama, Syria had been destroyed.
“My family woke at four in the morning, the whole house was already shaking, the ceilings were cracked and the doors destroyed.
“All they could hear were screams outside calling for people to leave their houses,” she said.
“They rushed out barefoot, still dressed in their pjs, and had to watch their home get demolished.”
Sultan heard of her family’s horror over the phone as they told her what had happened.
They had been left stranded
and covered in blood and burns.
The earthquakes had a magnitude of up to 7.8 and are among the most devastating of the last 10 years.
“Seeing the aftermath left me speechless,” Sultan said.
“I had fashbacks of being at home, playing on my grandmother’s roof with my cousins, and having sleepovers in her house. Now it has all turned to nothing.”
People have worked tirelessly to fnd those trapped under rubble fghting to survive against the crushing weight of buildings and the freezing cold.
Organisations such as Islamic Relief and The Red Cross have been raising money to aid the victims of the earthquake.
Getting relief to northwest Syria is a challenge. Much of the area has been destroyed by war, sanctions are in place and there is only a small crossing available across the border from Turkey.
Aya Alghadanfari, a masters student at KU, has family in Gaziantep, Turkey, the epicentre of the frst shock.
Her sister’s home was destroyed and is now inhabitable.
“She said the shakes kept coming every 30 minutes, at
frst all the buildings didn’t fall, but eventually they did.”
Alghadanfari said: “We had to send them a taxi to take them to safety in Iraq.
“She had no food, water or electricity for two days and our contact was limited.”
Fortunately, her family have found safety in Iraq.
The area in southern Turkey most affected by the earthquakes is home to millions of Syrian refugees and a large Kurdish minority.
Poor infrastructure and lack of quake-resistant housing have added to the damage caused by the earthquake.
Kurdish student Sevtap Kilic described the guilt she felt knowing how helpless those suffering are.
“I have never thought that having a shelter and food in England would pain me so much to use.”
Kilic has been working with the Turkish and Kurdish communities in north London where she lives, collecting donations that can be sent back home.
In Kingston, the Kingston Muslim Youth organisation has launched an emergency disaster
appeal aiming to raise £10,000 for those impacted.
In a statement they said: “Kingston Muslim Youth are working with the One Ummah team tirelessly on the ground to save as many lives as possible.”
KU
“All they could hear were screams outside calling for people to leave their houses”
“She had no food, water or electricity for two days”
had scouts raving about her talent and she is praised by her peers for her excellent work ethic and pace to get behind the back line and fnish chances.
Cougars coach Marc Edwards said: “I believe Abi is only just beginning her footballing journey, she is still so young, but I think she has all the attributes to go as far as she wants in the game.
“I think her best attribute is her clear drive and eagerness to improve. She is always asking questions, wanting to learn and has a great work ethic.
“She has been captaining me this year and I have seen her grow in confdence with every match and training session while having that senior role in the team and is someone that the others look up to.”
Abigail Woollvin. Credit: Crayfordmedia.com By Sami BetacheThe Kingston Cougars’ captain has been in blistering form this season scoring 13 times in only six games.
Woollvin spent pre-season with
Fulham before joining AFC Whyteleafe this summer. She has also recieved interest from a host of other top clubs from higher leagues.
The striker from Essex has
As mentioned Woollvin also plays football away from university for AFC Whyteleafe where the striker has scored 17 goals in 13 games in the London and South East Regional League Division 1 North.
The KU Art and Design student received the golden boot last season and is currently the top scorer again this season
with 13 goals. Considering she won it last year with 15 goals it seems like she has it in the bag.
Woollvin said: “I’m a player that’s always up for a challenge and I am so dedicated and motivated to keep on improving and working my way up the leagues and divisions every game. I hope to be continuing my footballing career and to achieve all my goals.”
If Woollvin does reach the top of the game, she will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Graeme Le Saux, the
former Chelsea and Southampton player who is also a Kingston alumnus.
Edwards added: “I think the WSL is the dream end goal for Abi, you can see how much she wants to play at the top level.
“I believe she should look to play at a higher level than she currently plays at next season. This will enable her to play with better players every week and ensure she continues to improve, because I know her, and playing with them will just make her push herself even harder.”
By Georgia Howell
Credit: Richard Young/Shutterstock
By Leah KellmanKingston University ofers a creative and diverse community that allows students to fourish, so it will not be too much of a shock to hear about some of the famous ex-students who attended here.
Sarah Jane Crawford
The radio DJ and broadcaster studied economics at Kingston before moving to Anglia Ruskin to complete her degree. When the 39-year-old realised that the world of marketing was not for her, she decided to
pursue a presenting career and went on to present The Xtra Factor in 2014 and became a Radio 1 Xtra DJ.
Ben Barnes
The award-winning actor and Narnia star graduated with a BA in Drama with English Literature in 2004. He has gone on to star in films such as Dorian Gray and the Netflix hit Shadow and Bone. The 41-yearold is also a singer and describes his music as “old soul pop”.
Woods graduated from Kingston with a print journalism degree, but during her spare time at Kingston she wrote match reports for the student union newspaper.
Once she left university, she got a job as a runner at Sky Sports, which then allowed her to work her way up to become a producer and then a fully-fedged presenter. She has recently covered the World Cup on ITV and is one of the hosts on The NFL Show.
Dr Ronx, emergency medicine doctor, motivational speaker and TV Presenter. Dr Ronx is a Queer black androgynous intersectional feminist, whose Instagram is a refreshing and eye-opening insight into the life of a Queer, Black NHS doctor.
Instagram: @Dr_Ronx
2019 Love Island winner Amber Gill came out as bisexual last year. She is confrmed to be dating Lioness Jen Beattie. The reality show which lacks LGBTQ representation, has so far only had heterosexual couples.
Instagram: @amberrosegill
Dom N Ink LGBTQ artist, author, illustrator and infuencer. His Instagram is flled with his signature illustration style, with chic outfts also making an appearance. Dom&Ink is the splash of feel-good Queer power your feed needs.
Instagram: @domandink
ing and mask wearing, gradual phase-ins, and experimental hybrid curriculums.
Charlotte Evans, a third year dance student at Kingston University said: “The sense of isolation, the change in routines, the panic and confusion over what the future holds triumphed over the excitement and adrenaline of starting university.”
By Casey HardingAs of March 2020, young people’s lives and dreams were basically stopped in their tracks. The last few months of secondary school are normally flled with treasured rites of passage like graduation, prom, and a week of life changing exams. But for the Class of 2023, there was to be no splendour and ceremony - literally or fguratively.
Secondary school graduation is one of life’s only clean transitions, a fnal passage from adolescence to adulthood that is predictable in ways other transi-
tions rarely are. School is one of the sure things in life that ends with a fresh start. Except when it does not.
The onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020 forced swift and sudden school closures across the world, with the majority of students being dismissed for a half term with no end. Overnight, everything changed. We found ourselves housebound, stripped of our freedoms, stranded from our social circles, and thrust into new unknown territory of virtual learning via Microsoft Teams.
One by one, much anticipat-
ed milestones were abruptly, unceremoniously postponed. Then cancelled. In some cases, replaced with remote alternatives that, while well-intentioned, hardly served as adequate substitutes.
While grappling with these unwelcome changes, millions of young adults were also confronted with an even more unpredictable future: a frst year of university that was destined to look and feel unlike any other. Carefree freshers’ week, giddy orientations, horizon broadening classroom discussions were superseded by social distanc-
When looking back at our university time, the efect the pandemic has had on student’s social skills, grades and motivation is more than apparent in the graduating Class of 2023. This already vulnerable group was hit with the relentless challenges of disappointment, uncertainty, and loss. It set the stage for an unprecedented surge in depression, anxiety, and impulsivity.
As university graduation looms, students are set to leave the comforts of campus to fnd their way in the raw wilderness of the job
market. We are staggering into a world that has been drastically altered in the last few years, becoming in some ways unrecognisable. The virus and the economic shock waves it has unleashed didn’t just afect our time at university but will have enduring implications on the Class of 2023, for our memories, our earning power, and our view of what it means to have a functional society.
when making their decision about which university to go to?
A pattern across many of the students we spoke to at Kingston was that although they were aware of the NSS, it did not factor into their decision to pick Kingston as their university. Many chose to study here because of convenience or because of the university’s reputation for courses such as fashion and architecture.
By Wincent Heinis there for students to provide
feedback on their place of study and course to help improve the experience for future students.
But did current Kingston students fnd the survey useful
Luyao Xu, a frst-year fashion design student said: “I’m from China and I want to learn about other cultures so that’s why I picked Kingston University. It’s rated highly in fashion and I’m interested in fashion design.”
Despite many Kingston students saying the NSS had no ef-
fect on their decision to pick the university, there was agreement that the survey does help to improve the university and helps give students a voice to air their opinions.
Third-year BA Media and Communication student, Andrew Obeng Stevens said: “I think the NSS is necessary, it can certainly aid the choice for prospective students, I also think it can help universities to improve in places they perhaps were not aware of.”
The response rate among UK students to last year’s NSS was 69% and the campaign is under way to get as many eligible students as possible to complete the survey this year.
The NSS this year will be available until April 30.
“ It can certainly aid the choice for prospective students ”
A recent Channel 4 report about how Ukrainian refugees are handling cultural integration in ethnically diverse areas of the UK sparked a lot of debate. One of the interviewees made racist and Islamophobic comments which went viral on the Internet. There was a strong opinion in the comment sections that the UK government is not doing enough to help refugees to integrate into the multicultural British society that we live in.
Among the comments on Twitter was the view that “Immigration has always been tough for everyone”. So what help is on ofer for refugees trying to settle into British society, where their experiences may be very diferent to what they have experienced prior to moving?
Alina Kukoba, who came to the UK from Ukraine in May 2022, said: “The government
website has some information of what to do on arrival but it is not enough. I had to research a lot of steps myself.
“It would be great if refugees
received a letter on arrival with instructions about everything we need to do such as how to make a UK bank account etc.”
Kingston Council ofers a
welcome pack with information about services and support for people who are part of resettlement programmes. A recent survey of Ukrainian
refugees staying in Kingston showed that the majority found the Council’s integration activities in the borough exceeded their expectations.
Thomas Marsh, who works with refugees said: “In my opinion, certain individuals might take longer than others to adapt. Factors such as the ability to speak the language of the host country and their prior cultural background play a vital role in cultural integration.
“I will be optimistic enough to say that with the right support and good people around, cultural integration is certainly possible for everyone.”
Kukoba described London as a great city to live in: “There are a lot of opportunities here and people are friendly. I am very grateful that I was ofered a chance to get on with my life safely and acquire experience that I can use to help my country recover after war is over.”
By Lara Hassan
Walking through Kingston you will inevitably stroll past beds and blankets that have been intricately folded and placed under bus stops and bridges to avoid the rain.
When the sun sets people experiencing homelessness will gather up these bundles and seek shelter from the weather and the noise of Kingston in hopes of getting some sleep.
One of these people, perched under the bus stop with a cigarette in his mouth and a smile on his face, is Andre Gigel, a 28-year-old man from Romania afected by homelessness.
“I came here hoping for work, something, anything,” he said.
Gigel has been in Kingston for four years and has been waiting on his settled status which can be applied for after living in the UK for fve years and means he could stay and work in the UK.
“You think when you come to England life will be easier, but it’s not. England has many issues too,” Gigel said.
Homelessness in the UK is
predicted to rise due to the cost of living crisis. The homeless charity Crisis estimates 300,000 households could be forced into homelessness in 2023.
Homelessness in Kingston is already a prevalent issue. Kingston councillor Andreas Kirsch said: “In Kingston there are over 900 households living in temporary accommodation and 3,700 on our housing register for social housing.”
One organisation ofering support for those who are struggling is the Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness.
Their aims include helping people get into short term accommodation, equipping people to fnd long term housing and building peoples’ life skills to help them retain it.
Communications ofcer for KCAH, Sue Cole said: “All it takes is a collusion of a few unfortunate circumstances for someone to fnd themselves in a state of crisis.”
She said homelessness comes in many forms and could afect anyone, reiterating that: “Homelessness does not discriminate.”
This year’s supplement from the Kingston Courier team is about the crisis that’s on everyone’s lips. The cost of living has been rising endlessly and afecting people at every stage of life. Students have not avoided the efects of the fnancial crisis and this supplement is dedicated to them.
As a student, we are asked to balance heavy workloads with parttime jobs, whilst taking care of ourselves as well. These demands have become harder to meet recently. A few hours of paid work a week is no longer enough to cover the essentials. The delicate balance that is a students’ schedule is at risk.
We debated choosing the cost-ofliving crisis as a theme for a long time. Did we really want to give it any more space on paper or in students’ minds?
Eventually we decided yes, but on one condition: that we fnd the positivity that has been lost as the crisis continues. Admittedly it was difcult, yet that is why we had to do it. This year we have ofered readers the chance to see how Kingston and its students have endured as a community and as individuals. They have adapted, supported and even laughed their way through unprecedented times. You can fnd yourselves in the pages of Endure and know the crisis will end and there are still many reasons to smile.
CONTRIBUTERS
EDITOR
KATE DAVIES
DEPUTY EDITOR (+ SPORTS)
JOE ROBERTS
CHIEF SUB-EDITOR
EM DALTON
SUB-EDITOR
EMMA DOYLE
NEWS EDITOR
GRACE DAWES
FEATURES EDITOR
SARA KEENAN
CULTURE EDITOR
CAMERON HILL
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
JESS HAMILTON
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
LOUIS FOSTER
REPORTER
PHILLIP BARR
Students grappling with extortionate accomodation costs will graduate into a disproportionately aggressive market
By LOUIS FOSTERIf you think your rent is expensive, you are not alone. According to statistics published by the Ofce for National Statistics (ONS) and Rightmove, in the last decade rent prices and house prices across the UK have shot up by a whopping 36% and 53% respectively.
With statistics from ONS showing that most people’s highest monthly expenditure in 2022 was on housing, these prices have left students concerned about how they will aford to live near their universities.
What is even more worrying is how they will be able to aford these outrageous rent prices without a loan once they graduate.
Students are right to be so concerned.
This map shows just how troubling the situation is for graduates wanting to live near the capital post-graduation.
This map was created with statistics from Local Government Inform, an executive organisation aimed at improving transparency between
the government and the public. The map shows how much of the average monthly earnings of a graduate go towards the standard rent price of a two-bedroom property in diferent regions of England.
The current typical graduate salary sits at just below £25,000, however, this being a mean average, it does not show the breadth of salaries that most
graduates earn nowadays. Recent fgures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency suggest this could vary from £16,000 to £90,000.
Regardless of this range, the vast majority of graduates begin their careers on a starting salary between £20,000-£30,000.
As expected, London rent is extortionate, with prices for accommodation in the capital
for the north as most regions are sitting at a comfortable 20-35%.
A study by CityAM discovered almost a quarter of graduates are moving to London within six months of completing their degree. This statistic shows how young professionals are being disproportionately impacted by these rising costs resulting in difculty establishing themselves as selfsustaining adults with these limited funds and the expensive rent.
With a maximum of 40% of Londonbased graduates’ salary remaining for expenditure other than rent, their graduates’ ability to save money becomes even more challenging.
“How will [students] be able to pay for these outrageous rent prices once they graduate?”
in Kingston in abid to help locals through the cost-of-living crisis
ofer more than a chance to save the planet: the cafés make it possible to save money and can restore an aged treasure to its former glory.
Hilary Gander, a Kingston Repair Cafe organiser, said people bring in
She adds that the Kingston area is the perfect place for a Repair Cafe due to its environmental history. The Circulatory and Kingston Hive are helping locals and Gander says she hopes they can also help the community.
By KATE DAVIESThe cost-of-living crisis has continued into the new year, but there are still reasons to smile in Kingston. The make-do-and-mend attitude that helped the UK through two world wars and a recession has kicked in again.
People do not have to open their wallets any more to replace special belongings when they break. Instead, they can take them to the new Repair Cafe at Kingston Library.
Locals have been encouraged to bring in their broken items where expert volunteers are on hand to fx them. In uncertain times, it has been a welcome relief for visitors to see treasured possessions given a new lease of life.
Many attended the cafe opening on Saturday. Clare Kyrou came from Epsom to fx her heated clothes airer. She said: “Culturally, we think it’s easy to buy something new and forget about waste. I look after my things but electricals I’m nervous to fx myself.
“Repairing anything in normal circumstances can be expensive but having a place in the community where it can be done by volunteers is a unique and lovely thing,” she added.
Repair Cafes have opened across London in Waterloo, Epsom and Twickenham as part of a global initiative which is challenging ‘throwaway culture’.
Sustainability was the original inspiration, but more have opened during the rising cost of living. They
anything from vacuum cleaners to toy soldiers. “You don’t have to be passionate about saving the planet or cutting carbon. This space helps people save the important things at a difcult time,” she added.
Gander said people use Repair Cafes for one of three reasons: they are conscious of waste, they are bringing valuables or they cannot aford to replace broken essentials. She says the crisis has meant more people have turned to Repair Cafes to save money and still have working electricals.
The volunteers who work on ‘repair tables’ have experience mending clothes, electronics and toys. People have even been encouraged to take part in repairs and learn new skills.
“We believe in sustainability and throwing less away by mending it. We also help people fnd ways to save energy, stop carbon emissions and eventually prevent climate change,” said Gander.
She said: “Students are welcome and would be perfect volunteers. I’m sure they have skills we don’t, so we’d love them to come along as a repairer or to use the service.”
Plans to open the cafe were in the works since October. Kingston Council and John Lewis provided space at the library and seed-funding meant it could open as a non-proft. Gander says it runs on “hand to mouth”, but asks visitors to donate what they can.
Maya Farebrother, another cafe organiser, said she realised when she studying engineering product design that end-of-life design was often forgotten. “I hope these events can inspire people to buy new products consciously and with repairing in mind, instead of just throwing them away,” she said.
The Repair Cafe, located at Kingston Library, will be open on the frst Saturday of every month from 10.30am to 1.30pm.
Kingston University has launched a new support scheme to help undergraduate students who are struggling.
The Back on Track Fund awards up to £500 to eligible students who are struggling fnancially.
However, the university emphasised that students should only apply for the fund if it is essential, and to only request the amount that is required for their short-term issue.
There are certain critera for students to meet to qualify for the support fund:
if you have a short-term fnancial issue (that is not an ongoing problem), you are a current UK undergraduate student paying home fees, you have taken the full funding available to you through Student Finance England (SFE) and you have a household income of less than £42,600 as assessed by SFE. The subsidy is limited and is only available to use a maximum of once each academic year.
“Kingston University is committed to helping all students always and amid this cost-of-living crisis,” a university spokesperson said.
“The Back on Track fund has now increased the level of fnancial help available to Kingston students and has also introduced a number of additional practical initiatives to help provide support for students during this time.”
Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the university’s Student Funding Team within fve working days. If approved, students will receive hardship payment within 10 working days.
Applications for the fund can be found on MyKingston, where you must submit proof of your student fnance,
bank details and any other evidence they may require.
Help and support for students from the university in the cost-of-living crisis has not just been fnancial. The Union of Kingston Students has been ofering free breakfasts since the end of January and will continue this throughout the coming months across all campuses at the university.
Free warm spaces have also been opened across Kingston campuses, including the libraries, Penrhyn Road is additionally open 24 hours during the week.
“The space helps anyone to save the things that are important to them during this difcult time”
“Kingston University is committed to helping all its students amid this cost-ofliving crisis”
Kingston Council has announced its latest budget plan for 2023-24 to 2026-27, including a commitment to a number of eco-projects such as outdoor gyms.
Despite publishing the budget in the self-admitted “backdrop of an economic cost-of-living crisis”, the council still aims to improve the Kingston area under the budget’s four key themes: “Greener, Fairer, Safer, and Together.”
The fner details of the budget reveal that the council is keen to improve the area, impacting many students in the borough.
The council has committed to the ‘Community Parks Programme’. They have pledged £6.45 million over the next four years, which aims to ensure a “greener” borough.
Kingston Councillor John Sweeney said: “The council wants to make our public spaces more appealing to everyone, that includes students and anyone with disabilities. There are a lot of things going on in the town which I think will really interest the students at Kingston University.”
The council is looking at developing the green space in the town centre at Memorial Gardens to become more accessible, attractive and also a student-friendly space.
In addition, student cyclists will beneft from the council’s plans to invest £500,000 in 2023/24 into maintaining their £30m new cycling infrastructure. This intends to help cyclists remain safe on the roads.
The council has also committed to continuing its investment into the development of street lighting and road maintenance. This will help drivers remain safe on their commutes to university and the broader Kingston area.
Sweeney also discussed the direct impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on students.
“Students are feeling the impact of the crisis in the same way as most people, they aren’t exempt,” he said.
“We want to have these spaces that students can enjoy, regardless of their budget.”
Below are eight diferent accounts from your fellow students, housemates and friends from Kingston University, all of whom have faced fnancial difculties.
Before we share their stories, let us frst tell you why we spoke to them.
According to Universities UK, students are in danger of being the
most forgotten demographic during the country’s current fnancial strife.
Millions of university students from the UK and beyond have fallen into
issues of debt, housing, mental health problems, malnutrition and countless more struggles due to the country’s poor economic climate.
Maria is an international student from Norway and currently has to work overtime at her job every week to support her day-to-day life. “I need the money. I have limited myself to only spending what I’m earning every week and not using my loan because all of it needs to go to my rent. Rent prices in Kingston are not cheap.”
Harris, a biomedical student, commutes to Kingston University daily and sometimes spends up to £15 a day on a return ticket. “I’ve been taking the train most days because diesel prices are crazy. The train strikes don’t help, however. I normally walk from Surbiton station to the university on Penrhyn Road rather than getting the bus, just so I can save that extra bit.”
Eden, an animation undergraduate, currently lives in rented accomodation with her fatmates. They have recently been exposed to mould, resulting in multiple respiratory issues. “We didn’t turn the heating on for a really long time and didn’t realise how quickly mould grows. The landlords refuse to do anything. I sit in the print studio for hours because it is warmer than my home.”
Maudie is an art foundation student and she can no longer use as many facilities at home as before. “My dad only has the heating on at specifc times of the day I was doing a project recently with wool and I wanted to boil it for 24 hours. I couldn’t do it because it would cost too much. My friends and I have been staying at the university for these reasons.”
As the current fnancial decline continues, more and more young people are having to fnd ways to survive.
Many students are juggling part-time jobs alongside studying a full-time course whilst incurring thousands of pounds of debt. Kingston University
students are not exempt from this worrying situation. With an abundance having to choose between heating or eating, and many
counting their coins to pay for food, their struggle is unavoidable. Students from all over campus told us their stories. We spoke to students who
are living away from home, at home, living in a new country, commuting, working, getting by and, above all, trying their hardest to survive.
While London is one of the most expensive cities in England, it is possible to fnd things to do on a budget. Whether you’re new to the capital or have lived here for years, chances are you won’t have seen everything the city has to ofer. Looking to explore without breaking the bank? Here are a few things to do.
Take a trip to the Tate Modern Entry to the gallery is completely free and there’s no need to book. Whilst some exhibitions are exclusive to members, the public is free to enjoy a variety of art and installations.
The Science Gallery London
Based in London Bridge, this GradeII listed Georgian building is where science and art connect. You can fnd tonnes of interactive exhibits, events and workshops here, all free of charge.
Walk by Kensington Gardens
Matilda, a foundation-year art student, opted to live at home during university but found her parents are undergoing similar fnancial stuggles. “My parents have switched to eating a lot more vegetables and less meat as it’s a lot cheaper. My parents tend to get frustrated with me if I use the stove unnecessarily. They prefer for me to bring in leftover food to eat at university.”
Jay, a second-year criminology student who relocated from Ireland, has had to get a second job to support himself. The astounding prices of private halls has made him choose which basic essentials he can aford. “There are multiple days where I don’t eat, don’t shower or don’t do my laundry. I can’t have everything, it’s either one or the other.”
Kensington Gardens ofers picturesque views in the middle of the city and is one of many free green spaces in London. Have a picnic, play frisbee or simply lie back with a good book.
Stroll Crystal Palace park
This South London Park features fullscale models of dinosaurs crafted in the Victorian era and more interesting sculptures. You can also try out the skate park or lose yourself in one of the largest mazes in the country.
Natural History Museum
Walk-ins are welcome at the Natural History Museum located in South Kensington. You could easily spend hours exploring the exhibits while learning about the world’s history.
Portobello Road Market
Visit one of London’s oldest markets and browse the beautiful collections of antiques and vintage clothes. Immerse yourself - maybe you will get lucky and discover some hidden gems.
Karthik is a frst-year international student from India. He has found Kingston to be much more expensive compared to his home country and other places he has visited. “I have no issues with travel or food, especially because I mostly cook for myself at home. However, rent is expensive, that’s where it gets difcult for me in terms of costs.”
Robert, a 21-year-old biomedical undergraduate, has experienced fnancial difculties as a student, which has turned him into a savvy shopper. He often fnds himself in the reduced section of supermarkets. “If what I’m looking to buy is not on sale or reduced, I’ll go for the cheapest option or I’ll just have to decide not to buy it at all.”
God’s Own Junkyard
See the largest collection of neon lights and signs in Europe. This Walthamstow exhibit will be sure to
Deposit Protection Service, the average UK annual rent sits £1,332 higher than it did two years ago.
The list of struggles are growing as we navigate studying and trying to live a balanced life.
By SARA KEENANFrustration. That’s what I feel watching the increasing numbers of young people struggling or dropping out of university as the cost-of-living crisis hits hard. However, it is also not a surprise.
As a student myself, I’m often overwhelmed by studying nine-to-fve, working long hours in the evenings, all while trying to keep on top of work, mental well-being and a social life. It’s a challenge and it’s time for a change.
A January 2023 survey by Savanta found that a quarter of students are less likely to fnish their degree due to the economic climate. Over a quarter have had to get a job or take on more hours.
According to a report from the
A 22-year-old criminology student from Surrey, who asked to remain anonymous, said that growing fnancial pressures and juggling study and work made him consider dropping out of university since October.
“To be honest, money is always tight at university. I need to get a more lucrative hustle,” he said.
This raises the question, should students have to “hustle” while at university? The answer is no. University is the hustle.
Although the student did receive some fnancial support from his university, he still had to work to get extra cash.
It seems that we can often be overlooked when it comes to crisis.
Student loans are set to increase by only 2.8% in the next year, which will
leave us £1,500 worse of annually, with infation rates also rising… how lucky are we?
As a student from Northern Ireland, my application for student funding was difcult and I was only eligible for half of a loan to cover my fees.
With London students expected to pay unreasonable accomodation fees alongside basic essentials, it is a worrying challenge.
It becomes a quick change from living comfortably to just scraping by. Save the Student is running a petition, calling on the government to increase the student loans in England to match infation.
Tom Allingham, head of communications, said university work should be top priority.
“Many students are on courses that are too intensive to allow any time for work.” Some, he said, even ban students from working.
We deserve a fair chance to study for our degrees without the added pressure of part-time jobs, letting our mental
and physical health take a step back or having to decide between heat or rent.
Allingham explained although there have been claims that every UK household would beneft from a £400 energy grant, reality shows a stark contrast with almost all students in halls ineligible for this funding. Everyone, not just students, need to take a stand.
The criminology student said: “I will and want to do my best to stick it out. My friend helps me when he can and I can ask my mum for money, but that is a last resort.
“I do think there needs to be a budget in place. Students need to be and should be protected frst.”
away and pass the time staring at a stranger’s dusty shoes or praying that the auditory torture chamber will be a tad quieter.
By CAMERON HILLNobody enjoys the commute to university. To travel on a (usually) late train into Kingston to go to lectures or see friends is often an extremely inconvenient experience.
Have you ever attempted to study on a crammed 9.07 Tube? The squeals of unlubricated metal meld with the muggy atmosphere of body upon body, arms and legs locked to maximise space and spare some poor soul the rage of an angry boss.
Caught in the middle of this, I wince and try to draw every ounce of knowledge I can from my law textbook. Unsuccessful, I put the book
And yet, according to a 2022 study by the Ofce of National Statistics, 18% of students in London had considered moving back in with their parents and commuting.
Only 64% of them could state with complete certainty that they planned to continue their studies uninterrupted despite the high costs.
There exists a crucial logic in this drastic decision to move home though, given the apocalyptic spike in rent prices across the city.
With over a quarter of surveyed students admitting to taking on paid working hours just to scrape by, one beneft of travelling to London is exiting the competition for small unfurnished rent-a-rooms and £1,200-a-month studio apartments.
Yet, if you don’t live close to the university or outer London, the idea of studying in the city can quickly become completely inaccessible. If you are lucky to live with parents in London, then those rent pressures may vanish.
But what about the price of the trains? Even with the 18-25 rail card, the cost of a return ticket every day can touch close to £30.
Add rent into the equation and, while a marginal saving can be possible, it’s certainly a struggle.
To make matters worse, in the past few months snow and strikes have proved the fallibility of the rail system for students. Personally, I have missed at least seven days due to them.
Students are now caught between a rock and a hard place, sufering the oppressive rent prices of the capital or the high cost and poor service of the commute. Enough of students’ time has been lost amidst the pandemic.
It’s unacceptable that more chances to unlock potential are dissipated due to a lack of attention from the government and universities.
To move forward, the extension of university hardship funds and the NUS’ “cost-of-living support package” proposal is paramount, to ensure students aren’t forced to drop out.
Extra investment from the government needs to be a priority. If the government is committed to student aspirations, there must be further fnancial aid ofered to them.
Without it, as noted by Universities UK president Steve West, “students are at risk of becoming the forgotten group in the cost-of-living crisis”.
students are struggling to make ends meet. Sara Keenan asks is this still the ‘best time’ of our lives?
Over the last three years, TikTok has been the app of choice for Gen Z-ers who are chasing a laugh, looking for a new hobby or seeking advice for just about anything. As far as the latter is concerned, it seems that snappy videos are the preferred way for the online community to get its two-pennies worth when it comes to looking for and sharing tips on how to manage your personal fnances.
Although social media can often lead us down a rabbit hole miles away from our original pursuit, once in a while you’ll unearth some priceless gems.
Here’s our pick of some of the best TikTok hacks for saving you money, and hopefully preserving your sanity as well.
Be exclusive
Relegated to the realm of your elderly grandparents no more, draught excluders can be a fantastic and costconscious way to keep your home warm - especially during the colder winter months. TikTok user @thatpropertyguy may lean more heavily into the DIY scene, using foam piping to cover the
gaps under doors, but you can put any intrepid arts and crafts skills to use and custom make your very own excluder, without incurring crippling expenses.
Cutting up an old pair of tights, stufng the legs with fabric scraps before sewing up the feet and waistband makes for an excellent blank canvas. With a sprinkle of imagination and some creative license, your new household addition can assume any form that your heart desires.
LED-ing the way
@thatpropertyguy has a number of other valid suggestions spread across his account, but some are more do able than others. Sometimes it really is as easy as ficking a switch: exchanging traditional light bulbs for LEDs will mean your home is lit more brightly for longer. LEDs are enormously efcient and prevent you from having to fork out regularly for replacements on generic bulbs.
When the temperature outside is so low, turning on the central heating can be non-negotiable in some households. Luckily, the heroes of TikTok can once
again help you achieve champagnequality radiator output on a smaller budget. Three of @noaxboa’s nuggets of wisdom remind us to use common sense when it comes to optimising our heating systems. He advises moving any furniture which is pressed against a radiator’s grill just a few inches forward. This will promote the circulation of heat around a room and the warm air can spread more efciently. Natural sunlight is also our best friend when we can get it. Leaving curtains and blinds open during the day can take the edge of the chilly air. Lastly, Noa suggests placing refective padding behind your radiator to bounce heat back into the room. A 10-square-metre roll will set you back around £15 if purchased from DIY stores, but a quick fx is to use tin foil.
We’ve all been in the dreaded situation of having nothing to wear because our washing hasn’t dried in time.
@Purdyandfgg saved us a load of laundry-induced heartache by telling us we should be putting our clothes through two spin cycles.
Not only does this cut out the most energy-hungry step of the process, it ensures that as much water as possible is drained, making a signifcant dent in drying time.
We can always be eco-friendly as well as discount-savvy when it comes to buying food. User @M182729 makes a convincing case for always buying fresh produce loose rather than in prepackaged plastics.
Not only does excess plastic take a horrifc toll on the planet, but it can sometimes double the price of certain items by adding extra weight and extra time in production.
Doing this will also help you be more selective about which fruits and vegetables you take home. No one complains about having the pick of the bunch, do they?
The cost-of-living bus is due to arrive in Kingston on February 16 for locals to drop in and receive free, expert advice about their money worries.
The mobile fnancial advice centre forms part of the Mayor of London’s cost-of-living campaign. It was launched in conjunction with Debt Free Advice - a partnership of 16 charities supporting London residents through debt.
Kingston Council said: “Expert advisors from Debt Free Advice and partners will be on hand to give free and confdential advice on debt, benefts and other money worries.”
London Assembly reported the bus will have visited 35 locations once it fnishes its three-month journey in February. It ofers advice in person and directs visitors to other fnancial support available during the crisis.
City Hall dedicated £145,000 to fund the bus, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. It is just one of the mayor’s programmes to help people as household bills and food prices continue to rise.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said: “I’m determined to build a better London for everyone, and I want every Londoner to know that free, expert advice is available in their local area.”
Khan has set up other programmes to support London through the crisis including Energy Advice London and the Cost of Living Hub.
London Assembly adds the mayor will provide £790,000 of funding to Energy Advice London which focuses on saving energy.
It advises Londoners on installing renewable energy systems and saving money while keeping warm.
“No one should have to face these difculties alone,” said Khan.
It is London’s frst ever cost-ofliving advice bus. Its frst stop was Trafalgar Square in November, and it has parked in community centres and libraries across London ever since its voyage began.
The bus makes its stop in Kingston next week. It will be located in Hook Centre car park on Elm Street between 10am and 4pm.
The mobile advice centre will make three more stops before its journey comes to an end on February 23.
It will visit Danebury Avenue in Roehampton on February 17, Golden Lane Community Centre in the City of London on February 21, and Kensington Leisure Centre on Silchester Road in Kensington and Chelsea on its fnal day.
Adapting to the cost-of-living crisis and fghting devastating climate changes often clash. Is it possible to somehow fnd a balance?
By EMILY DALTONDespite wanting to make more planetfriendly choices, the current economic squeeze is pressing consumers to compromise on their consciences.
Almost 60% of young people feel deeply worried about climate change, according to a global study led by Bath University in 2021. Zurich Youth Against Carbon initiative’s multigenerational survey found six in 10 (59%) shoppers say they are compelled to choose less sustainable but cheaper options as prices increase. As young adults feel the pinch more acutely, this number rises to seven out of 10.
Dubbed as the “cost over climate” debate, can students aford to make environmentally conscious choices despite being on a shoe-string budget?
“I really don’t think it’s at odds at all,” said Charlotte Haigh, who volunteers frequently at the Hive, Kingston’s community climate hub. “Sustainability and cost-of-living go together,” she said.
Established in August 2022, the Hive is part of a nationwide network of eco-
hubs created in empty spaces in town centres. It runs a mixture of well-being drop-ins, screenings of environmental flms and sustainability workshops.
Every Saturday, the Hive space opens with a ‘Stitch, don’t Ditch’ workshop for mending crafts. “Mending is a revolutionary act... a rejection of consumer culture,” Haigh said.
The Zurich survey found that 40% of young people felt that they would choose sustainable fashion brands if it wasn’t for the economic crisis.
The infation rate for clothing was at 6.5% in December 2022 and although infation is set to come down, the spiralling impact of the cost-of-living crisis means consumers are still choosing to buy basic items over nonessential goods and luxury items.
Haigh explained that the fashion industry is one of the major polluters. Her advice was to mend, rather than buy new. She suggested charity shops or using sites like Vinted and eBay for good quality second-hand clothes.
Haigh appreciated it might not be easy, but that it “required a diferent mindset.” She said: “It may take more time and planning... but it’s really rewarding. It’s better for your pocket and for the planet”.
However, this “diferent mindset” might be part of the problem preventing students from making more climatefriendly choices.
“If your budget is tight and you have little time, it’s quite hard to balance being environmentally conscious,” said Alex, MFA Fine Arts student.
Although Alex said she was trying to buy more packageless products, she said the price diference was signifcant and clear.
Walking into Refllogic, you are greeted by delicate fragrances, oakcoloured shelving and a smiley Ava Katona. The zero-waste store opened March 2021 in Surbiton and stemmed from a deep concern for the environment and awareness of the climate crisis.
Katona, co-owner of the store, stocks her shelves with products from socially conscious and small UK businesses.
She said the best-selling products are refllable laundry detergent and washing-up liquid. “They’re cheaper than the most popular supermarket ‘eco-friendly’ brands.”
Katona gave the example of reusable period products: “It’s an investment up front but over the year when you buy a number of pads a month, it is probably the same, but these last longer.”
Has Katona noticed the impact of the economic crisis on her customers? Yes and no. She said that she has noticed a decrease in spending on luxury products like bath bombs, but most of her stock is essential items.
“People often complain about the price of sustainable products. But once you swapeverything to reusable and you’re not buying excess stuf, it is very afordable.”
Katona said: “For some people, who are green-minded, they would rather have less but want the litle amount to be environmentally friendly.”
Next time you go to get a single-use plastic bottle or scroll on ASOS, ask yourself if the price of the planet is worth your convenience.
‘Cozzie Livs’ is the most recent slang term to go viral, the abbreviation is among many used by Gen Z to lessen the blow of impactful and traumatic afairs.
Its many predecessors, including: ‘Platty Joobs’(Platinum Jubilee), ‘Panny D’ (Pandemic), and ‘Menty B’ (Mental breakdown), along with the thousands of daily memes produced on social media, suggest Gen Z’s coping mechanism is to laugh.
The term was frst coined by the Instagram account ‘Depop Drama’ which posts dramatic interactions between sellers and buyers on the clothes-selling app. In an infamous screenshot of a conversation, a Depop user wrote: “I can’t go that low sorry babe xx Especially with the cozzie livs and all that jazz.”
The post has since gained thousands of interactions and has been shared on multiple platforms. Many users have revelled in the absurdity of the
phrase, some users saying, “absolutely losing it”, and “another one to add to our vocab”. But others online hinted at something more sinister. A Twitter user observed: “The cute-ifcation of very serious, impactful events that are out of our control is so funny.”
The cost-of-living crisis has afected the quality of life for many young people. According to the Resolution Foundation, the average house priceto-earnings ratio has terrifyingly doubled since the 1990s.
Rent and supermarket prices have also soared and even leisure time costs too much.
Tyler Woodard, health and wellness expert at Eden’s Gate, suggested Generation Z are using humour to avoid facing their current reality.
“The cost-of-living crisis can be an overwhelming and serious topic to think about. Alongside potential student debt and other fnancial issues, it is suggested Gen Zers feel the best way to disguise their worry is to laugh it of,” Woodard said.
Jay Riggs, Health and Wellness expert from ZealCBD, observed the consequences of using humour as a defence mechanism. “People may come across as insensitive, which could lead to a lack of empathy and an understanding of the situation at hand.”
Riggs suggests this avoidance technique could lead to long-term consequences. “Using humour to cope can prevent individuals from properly processing and addressing their emotions, which can lead to further stress and confusion,” he said.
This generational coping mechanism does not seem to be working. An article by Therapy Insider suggested Gen Z are the most depressed generation of all time and Generational Kinetics found 55% of Gen Z is on their phone for more than fve hours a day. These dubbed ‘digital junkies’ consume more memes than any other generation.
Well-being experts suggested tackling the cost-of-living crisis with practical methods. Tommy Hatto, wellbeing coach, has urged Gen-Zers to
incorporate self-care as part of their daily routine to help mentally.
“Make sure you budget for something that will enhance your wellbeing. It doesn’t need to be a huge cost but putting something into your wellbeing is going to stop you from feeling
exhausted,” Hatto said. The well-being coach stressed the importance of incorporating healthy habits in day-today life.
Simple steps such as staying hydrated, having enough sleep and getting fresh air every day can help.
This year is looking set to be a year flled with strike after strike. As train and bus drivers,
nurses, teachers, university staf and paramedics engage in union walkouts, large swathes of the country are undoubtedly in for a difcult year.
Kingston students are espe-
cially impacted by transport strikes. Students rely on overground links and bus routes to get to campus. While many students say they support the strikes many have
spoken out about the lack of support in place for those who have long and often particularly expensive commutes.
Alexa Duplesis, a third-year geography student normally commutes to her classes but on strike days she is forced to miss her scheduled classes.
“I’ve considered getting taxis but, with how far away I live, it’s just not afordable because my budget is already so stretched with bills going up. I do support the strikes though, I think it’s high time workers stood up for what they deserve, but I think that uni or the government should put some support in place for students who commute,” Duplesis said. Others fear that if the strikes continue, their degrees may be afected. Daniel Chen a second year student said: “I’ve had real
doubts about continuing with my degree. With the strikes going on and on I’m frustrated that the government are allowing this to impact so many students’ access to education.”
Chen said that as students often have lower incomes than the average person, it’s those whose parents cannot fork out huge sums for taxis or cars that will be left in a worse position.
“I feel like this refusal to even consider pay rises to keep these essential industries running, or at the very least ofer those impacted by the strikes some support, is, yet again, impacting working class students more than anyone.
“Most of us can’t aford to run a car in London and, for those of us with long commutes, taxis and other ways of transport are out of the question.”
With university lecturers striking again, for 18 days this time, the issue surrounding university and the fnancial burden it places on students comes up for discussion once more.
For the last 12 years universities have been allowed to charge around £9,000 per academic year. Prior to that, it was £3,000 and before that, up until 1998, it was free of charge.
David Cameron’s Conservative government raised the amount universities could charge in 2011 with the Universities Minister at the time, David Willetts describing it as a “progressive” reform.
He said that the fees “put universities’ fnance on a sustainable footing with extra freedoms and less bureaucracy”. He further claimed it would bring a “greater choice for students with a stronger focus on high quality teaching”.
However, from a student’s perspective, especially in light of the recent strikes and lack of reliable teaching, it’s hard to argue that students are receiving the “high quality teaching” that is worth as much as it is.
Even when you consider other factors, such as the use of facilities and equipment, those
themselves at times are not of the highest quality and it’s still very hard to justify something that was once free costing this much money.
Perhaps the degree itself carries fnancial worth. The idea is that once you collect your certifcate the long term fnancial beneft will be in your favour as you have greater earning potential and opportunities.
Amin Ali, a Kingston University alumni who recently graduated, said: “When I was at university I honestly felt like £9,000 was way too much and to be honest I still do, but now that I have a degree and I am benefting from it, it feels much more worth it.
“But, regardless of the quality of teaching and the experience, it still feels unfair to set us of into our professional lives with a huge debt riding on our backs”
If we account for £9,000 across three years it totals to £27,000 and once maintenance loans and interest rates are factored in students could be looking to pay back over £50,000. So is the long term fnancial beneft actually working in your favour? The way things are looking at the moment with high infation and wage suppression, the answer is probably no from many students.
We are a month deep into the new season of hit reality show Love Island and things are being done diferently this year. Although, whether or not the changes implemented have made any diference is another story.
Following two tragic contestant suicides since the show started in 2015, Love Island bosses have been working to enhance the support services available to contestants on such a high-profle show.
Islanders entering the villa now undergo rigorous screening processes to determine whether they are emotionally and mentally resilient enough to participate in the show.
Infographics aired on-screen remind and urge viewers to “think before they post” about the stars on social media in an efort to stop trolling.
A welfare team is present on set while flming and candidates are also given thorough psychological counselling on exiting the villa, in addition
to social media and fnancial management training. While there have been no further suicides, the trolling has shown no sign of stopping. If anything, it is worsening, with keyboard warriors becoming more ruthless as online trolling is more normalised. Normally while the islanders are in the villa, family members or friends run their social media, however this year, producers have made the decision to scrap this, meaning there are no current posts for viewers to interact with.
While this has stopped the constant live flow of comments, viewers have simply resorted to commenting on contestants existing posts with their opinions.
With Love Island now carrying such a tragic history, any mistake risks mass-condemnation from concerned viewers. The producers are aware of this and have been heavily briefng the press about their safety measures in hope of avoiding the inevitable social media backlash.
However, their efforts ignore one fundamental truth. You cannot make reality TV both ethical and entertaining.
We watch Love Island because it appeals to our desire to mock people, cringe at their dating mishaps, gawk at their overflled lips and squirm in disgust when they declare their eternal love for each other.
No matter what safeguards you put in place or how fair you are to people in the edit, there is very little that can truly prepare a previously unknown 22-year-old for the experience of leaving the villa as a national celebrity.
Celebrity dating life has always been a hot topic in the media because of the public’s fascination with the lives of famous people and the impact they have on society.
Society holds different expectations for men and women when it comes to dating, with women expected to be more reserved and men encouraged to boast. This disparity in standards stems from sexism and leads to unequal treatment of men and women in the dating scene.
Female celebrities are frequently chastised for changing romantic partners because of double standards that hold women’s sexual and romantic choices to higher standards than men.
Lori Harvey, a model and infuencer, has been the subject of public scrutiny for changing romantic partners and has faced online slut-shaming. Harvey’s
dating history became controversial when she dated Michael B Jordan. She has dated celebrities such as Trey Songz and Future and is currently dating Damson Idris. Her relationship with Damson Idris was made public with an Instagram post of Damson kissing her, captioned “Happy Birthday Nunu”. Following this post, she was trending on Twitter and the public began slut-shaming her with online trolls calling her toxic for moving on to another relationship. Harvey has been accused of dating male celebrities as a PR stunt.
Similarly, Taylor Swift stated she experienced slut-shaming for her previous public relationships in her early twenties referring to herself as the “national lightning rod for slut-shaming”. In contrast, Pete Davidson has been candid about his love life, dating celebrities from Emily Rata -
jkowski and Ariana Grande to Kim Kardashian and is never disparaged for it. Similarly, Future, who has had relationships with multiple celebs and has eight children with diferent women, including singer Ciara, is not condemned for it.
In the world of dating apps and social media, women
should feel confdent to openly date who they want in the public eye. In a culture where women have been expected to serve men, it is seen as scandalous when they take charge of their relationship choices.
When women are in charge and make decisions, they should not be seen as a threat.
Most pet owners will know how wonderful owning an animal can be. They will understand the companionship and how beautiful bonds can be formed between animals and humans. The benefits to owning a pet are endless. They can be a perfect way to help your health, give you emotional support and be an added friend.
Stroking an animal, whether it is a cat or dog or even your dwarf hamster, greatly reduces the level of cortisol – the stress hormone – in the body. Walking your dog will give you vital fresh air, an opportunity to exercise, a chance to connect with nature and bond with your four-legged friend. Animals do not ask for much in life, most just need a warm, safe place to live, as well as food, water and exercise. In return they will give you unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship. Owning a pet can open you up to a whole new world of friendship. They help us gain responsibility, show us love and are always there when we need them.
The River is written, edited and produced by journalism students at Kingston University. The River aims to serve the University and the local area. Our mission statement commits us to raising and addressing the issues relevant to students and local people alike.
If you have information or a story which would interest our readers, please contact us. We aim to confne to the standard code of conduct for the professionalism of journalism.
It is the The River’s policy to print timely corrections and clarifcations when we have something wrong. If you feel we have misrepresented or that we have made a mistake, please get in touch.
Nepo baby is a phrase that has been making the rounds on the internet recently. It is used to describe a child of a celebrity that is successful in the same or an adjacent industry as their parent.
The term is short for nepotism, which is defned as the advantage, privilege, or position that is granted to relatives and friends in an occupation or feld.
The buzzword is not necessarily ofensive, but depending on the situation, it might be used that way.
Once the term became popular online, people began to do exposés of people you might not know were nepo babies.
Zoe Kravitz, daughter of singer Lenny Kravitz and actress mother Lisa Bonet remarked: “It’s completely normal for people to be in the family business.”
But she admitted to “deep insecurity”, believing she was not deserving of her achievements, being the daughter of famous parents.
Nepo babies frequently inter-
nalise the phrase and consider it an insult at frst. However, most people just want them to acknowledge the privileges they have. It is not so much that it is the same business as your family, rather, the opportunities that you are provided with and contacts in the feld.
Maya Hawke, who is adored online, is the daughter of actors Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke. She said she was “really grateful” for her parents who “made it simple for me to accomplish the things that I love” when asked about being a nepo baby.
Her straightforward response demonstrates how unconcerned and accepting she is with the circumstance and that she has beneftted from nepotism.
Labelling celebrities nepo babies is not about undermining the eforts they have made to get where they are. Eventually, the people who are untalented in what they do will get called out, especially on the internet.
But of course, the advantage of being a nepo baby is that you can try again if your initial attempt at fame fails.
The recent case of Mason Greenwood has once again drawn attention to the diffculties victims of sexual assault face when seeking justice. The Manchester United footballer was arrested in January 2022 as a result of images and videos circulated on social media. He was later charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The charges were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service which said the case was discontinued after key witnesses withdrew from the case.
A CPS spokesman said: “In this case a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. In these circumstances, we are under a duty to stop the case.”
They went on to say: “We would always encourage any potential victims to come
forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met.”
Which raises the question as to whether that test is working for victims. The conviction rates for rape are horribly low, with police recording 55,130 rapes in England and Wales in 2019, with only 1,439 people being convicted.When cases collapse, faith in the system takes another blow. Alicia Christine, a third-year philosophy student at Roehampton University, said: “Women aren’t safe and this just shows that nobody cares.”
By Gabrielle Risasi
Since May 2022, a series of strikes have occurred across the UK in demand for better working conditions. Unions are ready to see pay rises match soaring inflation which has gone up due to the pandemic, Brexit regulations, the war in Ukraine, and surging gas prices.
Nearly half a million workers attended the TUC’s “protect the right to strike” day on February 1, including teachers, university staff, civil servants and train drivers.
The financial future is looking bleak and finding a job which pays enough is becoming more difficult over time. So where does this leave undergraduate students, particularly those that are graduating this year?
According to the All About Careers website 44% of undergraduates don’t know what they want to do after
graduation and are unable to decide which industry they would like to work in. Industrial action makes the decision all
the more complicated. Where is the appeal of working in an industry when current employees are fghting for better work-
ing conditions? This is a sticky situation for undergraduates, who are essentially the future of work in the UK.
University graduates across the country are already asking for higher starting salaries due to the impact and stress of the cost of living. According to careers platform Bright Network, undergraduate students expressed “genuine concerns around the economic climate, their careers and future working life”.
There is now a greater emphasis on the self among graduates and many have raised their expectations of what they think is an acceptable starting wage.
The change in social awareness means that younger people are far less likely to put up with behaviour and conditions they feel are unacceptable.
So, it comes as no surprise that today’s younger generations carry this perspective into their working lives, where they fully expect to be compensated decently and fairly.
February 14 marks a day of celebration for couples and lovers from all around the world.
Valentine’s day originates from the Saint Valentine feast day celebration in ancient Rome. It has evolved into a signifcant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of love and romance.
While it is most known for giving chocolates and fowers here in England, diferent countries have their own traditional take on this holiday.
Wales: Wooden love spoons
People in Wales have their own version of Valentine’s Day - St Dwynwen’s Day on January 25. In the 16th century, Dwynwen became a nun after her ill-fated love with a local man named Maelon. She wished for God to bless others with true love and wished that she would
In the present day, people celebrate by going out for a meal with their loved ones, and exchanging gifts, specifcally hand-carved wooden love spoons as tokens of their love.
Bulgaria: Winemakers day
On Valentine’s Day, Bulgarians also celebrate St Trifon’s day, a day dedicated to wine-tasting and feasting. Also known as the Winemaker’s Day, there is a ritual for vine-growers to trim back their vines and pour wine into the soil to ensure vi-
tality for the growing season. People gather around the vineyard to join the ceremony and drink wine. Therefore, couples who celebrate Valentine’s Day would also come together and enjoy a glass of wine in honour of this tradition.
Denmark: Letters and poems with guessing game
Valentine’s Day celebration is relatively new in Denmark, but they already have their own unique spin to this lover’s day. Pursuers send out “gaekkebrev”, translated loosely to “joke letters”, often coupled with spring fowers to confess their love. In the letter, an original poem is written on a cut design paper and signed with dots. If the receiver can make out the identity of the sender, they will then receive an egg for Easter.
Yesterday (2019)
Japan and South Korea: Men get pampered
Rather than sending each other cards and gifts for Valentine’s Day, the women do all of the gift-giving, usually homemade chocolates wrapped in elaborate packaging, spoiling their male companion.
On the same day of the following month, March 14, the men will reciprocate with white gifts on White Day as a symbol of purity.
In South Korea, exactly a month after White Day is Black Day. Single people gather and eat jajangmyeon, a traditional noodle dish topped with a black sauce to celebrate their
wonderful friendship.
The Filipinos love to commemorate each holiday in extravagant ways, and Valentine’s Day is no diferent. Each year, the local government hosts free mass weddings for couples who might not be able to aford a conventional wedding ceremony. Therefore, it has become a tradition for couples to tie the knot on this day.
A romantic musical starring Himesh Patel and Lily James, this flm portrays the life of Jack Malik (Himesh Patel), a struggling musician who fnds himself in a world where noone has ever heard the songs of the legendary music group the Beatles.
No one that is except for Jack Malik who becomes famous by performing Beatles songs. He has everything at his fngertips except the woman of his dreams Ellie Appleton (Lily James).
Ed Sheeran and former Beatles make guest appearances. Available on Apple TV.
Hitch (2005)
The flm stars Will Smith as Hitch, the ultimate matchmaker who can guarantee to fnd you the woman of your dreams. However, then he meets Sara (Eva Mendes) who changes his perspective on love.
Kevin James and Will Smith provide comedy moments throughout the flm. Available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Shotgun Wedding (2023)
Director Jason Moore follows up his musical comedy
Pitch Perfect with this exciting action romance. When their whole wedding party is taken hostage, Darcy (Jennifer Lopez) and Tom (Josh Duhamel) must save their loved ones.
This thrilling adventure is make or break for the couple as
emotions are high as they search for their family members. Available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
You People (2023)
Eddie Murphy, Jonah Hill, Lauren London and Julia Louis-Dreyfus star in producer Kenya Barris’ romantic-comedy You People (co-written by Jonah Hill) which depicts a couple in love but restricted due to culture clashes and societal pressures.
Ezra (Jonah Hill) and Amira (Lauren London) meet in the most unexpected and hilarious circumstances.
However, Ezra faces an uphill battle to gain the respect of Amira’s family.
The flm is a Netfix special and guest stars Andrew Schulz (comedian), Anthony Anderson (actor), and Yung Miami (rapper).
Available to watch on Netfix.
From The Inbetweeners director Ben Palmer, Man Up stars Simon Pegg in a romantic comedy set in London.
The flm focusses on Nancy (Lake Bell), a single woman who has been unlucky when trying to fnd love but in a fortunate twist of fate at a train station, she meets Jack (Simon Pegg) who mistakes Nancy for his blind date.
Iconic settings such as the South Bank set the scene and make this relatable for romantic London.
The cast is strong and features Harriet Walter (DBE), Ken Stott and Rory Kinnear. Available to watch on Netfix.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, we need to remember that for some it can be a difcult time. Valentine’s focuses on romantic relationships but the idea of self-love is often completely forgotten.
The commercialisation and promotion of romance during this season creates an illusion that being alone on Valentine’s Day can be miserable, abnormal and unacceptable.
This can lead to intense insecurity and devastating feelings of loneliness which can be detrimental to mental health.
The Greek language distinguishes four diferent types of love: Storge (empathy bond), Philia (friend bond), Eros (romantic love) and Agape (unconditional God love).
Although Valentine’s Day is meant to celebrate all types of love, there is a disproportionate focus on Eros, characterised by sex and desire. This portrayal of what love really is, is harmful to society as a whole.
Social media creates unrealistic expectations around Valentine’s Day and the pressure to be in love can be overwhelming. It can feel as if your entire identity is defned by your rela-
tionship status.
It is important to keep in mind that getting into a relationship because of societal pressure or fear of being alone is not healthy. It is unlikely for such relationships to work out and
–may cause emotional distress. Luckily, Singles Awareness Day is celebrated on February 15 as an antidote to Valentine’s Day. It is an unofcial holiday which celebrates single status and love in all forms, recognis-
ing the love between friends, family and loving yourself.
Some good ways to celebrate Singles Awareness Day might be with a spa day, meditation, taking yourself on a date, or writing a love letter to yourself.
Palentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day are also celebrated in February, both are on February 13 and celebrate platonic friendships, usually but not exclusively among women.
It is important to keep in mind that we do not need to be in a relationship to enjoy and celebrate life.
There are plenty of benefts of being single: getting to know yourself, controlling your own life, getting to know new people and more time for family.
There is no need to rush into a relationship. Being single does not imply loneliness as it gives a chance to connect with new people. Whether you are single or dating someone, you should never forget to love yourself entirely.
Grab a ride on the cable car for as little as a fver and get a view of London’s iconic cityscape. Some of the sights that can be seen include Canary Wharf, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard, and the O2. Perfect for a romantic journey across the Thames. You can board from either Greenwich Peninsula or Royal Docks.
If you are not scared of heights, venture 35 foors up the Walkie-Talkie to the Sky Garden, London’s highest public garden. In the heart of the city, you can get beautiful views of both the landscape and the sky across London. Perhaps even the perfect place to propose? Book a free slot and prepare to be amazed. Yes, there is a lift!
Laugh the night away at the Top Secret Comedy Club in Covent Garden. There are a range of comedians on stage every night. Most tickets are either free or under a fver. If you fancy splashing out into low double fgures you can see Russell Howard make an appearance. Sounds like the perfect evening for comedy lovers.
Take a romantic stroll through the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park. The garden includes a wonderful array of Japanese horticulture, water features and the occasional peacock. Most importantly, it is free. You are also near the wonderful Notting Hill, home to the iconic Portobello Road and hopeless lover, William Thacker.
You can enjoy Leadenhall Market’s stunning Victorian architecture in the heart of the City of London for absolutely no money at all. The building is home to a whole host of restaurants, bars, and independent shops. Some of which are perfectly afordable and will be geared up for celebrations.
By Jude Currie
The YouTube star turned boxer takes his fans behind the scenes as he reveals all in his new documentary, KSI: In Real Life Executive produced by Louis Theroux, the Amazon Prime documentary follows JJ Olatunji – or KSI as we know him - from the summer of 2021 and through the whole of 2022.
KSI grew up in Watford and admits he was quite introverted as a child but when he created his YouTube channel at just 15-yearsold, he became the opposite.
At 19-years-old, he started to build a following and that was when he started making money.
Although he was popular and made silly skits with his brother and fellow YouTuber, Deji, his parents were not keen on his videos as they thought JJ’s persona was too much.
His dad even said he “didn’t want KSI as a son”.
In the documentary he recalls the highs and lows of his career as he tours around the UK. From his emotional break up to the infamous fght with his brother, JJ still manages to
keep his head down and strive to be the best that he can be.
Due to his parents’ strict
upbringing, JJ reveals that he is scared to lose. He said:
“From my childhood, I’ve al-
ways had so much pressure to do well, so the idea of failing was terrifying.”
His dad, who is originally from Nigeria, and his mother, a Londoner of African descent, made sure their sons worked hard at school and showed them tough love.
But for JJ, his parents’ lack of afection has strained their relationship and he feels as though his parents are “strangers”.
There is a heart-breaking scene with his dad which really shows a vulnerable side to JJ.
He explains to his dad that he was “not very loving”, at which his dad briefy opens up about how strained his own relationship with his father was, which he has then passed down to his children.
Despite all this, KSI has managed to reconnect with his family, win his recent boxing matches and get back together with his ex-girlfriend.
The documentary gives viewers the chance to see who he really is beyond the persona he portrays and to understand that at the end of the day, no matter the fame or money, it does not always give you happiness.
KSI: In Real Life is available on Amazon Prime.
to see a politician on the show, and even more surprised to see it feature one still in ofce.
Often when we see active politicians appear on popular platforms, there is an ulterior motive such as electioneering or propaganda and it was assumed that this would be more of the same. However, this interview is far from that.
The podcast, in just under an hour and a half, ofers a detailed view of what Sadiq Khan has gone through in his time as Mayor.
Khan gives listeners a genuine insight into his experiences and the challenges he has faced not only as a Muslim politician but as one of the most well-known Muslim politicians in the Western world.
He also shows listeners a side of him that has been hidden. He speaks about his upbringing, growing up in a council fat with nine family members and his relationship with his late father.
cusses include his belief that Donald Trump was obsessed with him, his faith and his own mental health.
One element that particularly stands out is his outlook on the London crime rate and its decrease throughout his tenure.
“In the last year, we have had a 55% reduction in teenage homicides… not enough but we’re making progress,” he says.
He attributes the decrease to things like youth work and youth programmes that can help keep teenagers of the streets and emphasises the importance of having more youth mentors that can guide the younger generation and help to solve young people’s issues from the root.
As citizens in London, we often feel distant from our representatives, the politicians that make the decisions that dictate our lives and we often dehumanise them because of this.
By Hashim OtbanWhen it was announced that the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, would be making an appearance, many were surprised
Khan also touches on the different ways his time in power has afected his family’s safety and also talks about the 2017 Grenfell Tower fre being his hardest day as Mayor, how he still “remembers the images” and “the heat” from the tragedy.
Some of the other topics he dis-
This is a much more intimate interview and it defnitely breaks through all the smoke and mirrors of politics and gives listeners an honest image of the man behind the title and responsibility.
Above all this is an interview with Sadiq Khan the man, not just the Mayor of London.
At Kingston University there are many sporting options for women such as basketball, football and netball.
However taking part in a sport at university also comes with the pressure of being a female athlete in a sports industry that is still often male dominated. President of the boxing club at KU Anastasia Khomchuk said she has had to constantly justify her presence in the sport of boxing.
“Mostly people are shocked to fnd out I box as it is a male dominated sport.
“People commonly ask me to ‘give them a punch’ to see how strong I really am.”
While she has got used to the reactions of others, she said she was “disappointed” to have to put up with it in the frst place.
By the time they reach puberty 64% of girls will have quit sport. This alarming figure has many factors which contribute to it. Some of the reasons girls stop taking part in sport are to do with confidence and fear of judgment.
A Women in Sport study found 78% of girls didn’t feel confident enough to
play sport and 76% felt others were judging them.
Patriciyia Bitimbhe, who plays basketball for the Kingston women's team, said: “I was often teased for my height but it is an advantage when I play now.”
The study also found that while there is a large percentage of girls not taking part in sport, 76% do want to be more active.
Khomchuk said: “I think what may prevent them from taking part in sport is the expectation of the kind of person you have to be to do a particular sport.”
The stereotypes of women athletes in male dominated sports include being considered masculine and being labeled a lesbian.
There is also a belief that the female version of some sports is insignifcant and uninteresting compared to the male version of the sport.
Bitimbhe said: “I believe male athletes defnitely have more exposure so they are more respected and have more opportunities to receive accolades, especially in basketball.”
Women in general are not shown competing in sports at
a high level as frequently and rates of pay are lower for female athletes.
However this trend seems to be gradually shifting, especially in women’s football. The Euros last year saw records broken with more than 17m viewers watching the England vs Germany fnal.
This made it the most watched women’s football game in the
UK ever. While women still face stigma surrounding their participation in sport it is clear the women in sports at Kingston don’t plan on quitting anytime soon.
Bitimbhe said: “Playing sport is the time I feel most like me, it is my only way to escape the pressure of university and allows me to decompress.”
Participation in sport is im -
portant for women for this exact reason. Being physically active in a sporting environment helps to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Therefore, it is essential for women to continue playing sport past puberty and for universities like Kingston to keep offering a variety of sports for women to choose from.
with £3 donations coming from those who took part in the sports.
MacMillan Cancer Support is a charity which raises money to provide vital cancer services, research, and campaigns for better cancer care.
According to MacMillan, it is estimated that there are currently 3 m people living with cancer in the UK, with the number expected to rise to 3.5 m by 2025.
KU rugby player Bora Ulasan, who studies business management said: “Rugby boys actually had more fun playing netball than rugby! It was fun and we really enjoyed it.”
Varsity is an annual event where KU compete against City, University of London in 20 sports with matches spread over two days.
It is the biggest event of the sporting calendar and although usually played in April, this year Varsity will be played indoors on March 28 at City University and outdoors the following day at Tolworth sports ground, Kingston. As well as plenty of sporting action, from basketball and netball to football and rugby, the event is packed with in atables, food stalls and music to enjoy.
By William De SousaK ingston University’s Rugby and Netball team came together to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support.
The event saw the KU men’s rugby team play netball, whilst the netball team played touch rugby, in the charity event at Tolworth Sports Ground.
The rules of touch rugby state that if touched, you must stop and return to the exact position where you were frst touched and roll the ball between your legs to the scrum half.
Kingston netball wing defender and centre, Marth Heron said: “I was social secretary on the night, so I aimed to make it fun for everyone
involved both playing and spectating.”
She added that the RugNet charity event started a few years ago after a boy from the rugby team unfortunately took his life and last year the event supported a men’s mental health charity.
The two teams managed to raise over £400 for MacMillan,
He added: “KU rugby and KU netball are really close and love to say we are one big family. We always go out with each other and interact on most days.”
Despite their purpose of raising money for charity, the competitive nature was not lost in both teams. “We wanted to beat them at their own sport, and we learnt and saw what it’s like from the netball girls and what it’s like to play!” said Ulasan.
Kingston University is entering its sixth year of competition and the Union of Kingston Students invites everyone to come along and support our teams as they battle for Varsity victory.
In Varsity, each game that is won is worth points, and whichever university wins the most points wins the Varsity Cup. So come on down to support Team Kingston.
Men’s football, the epitome of male sport, where men are men and heaven forbid you should be gay.
Only three professional male footballers have been open about their sexuality, one in Australia and two in the UK. Why aren’t there more male footballers who are openly queer?
Women in the sport have faced their fair share of homophobia over the years, but they are fnally getting the respect and support of fans, however for men it is still a big issue as they are expected to ft the masculine stereotype.
Josh Cavallo, the Australian left-back who plays for Adelaide United, changed the world of football when he publicly announced that he was gay on Twitter in 2021. He said in his statement: “Being a gay closeted footballer, I’ve had to learn to mask my feelings in order to ft the mould of a professional footballer.
“Growing up being gay and playing football were just two worlds that hadn’t crossed paths before.”
Cavallo’s coming out inspired Blackpool’s striker, Jake Daniels. The 18-year-old came out
last May and is the UK’s only active male footballer to come out as gay since Justin Fashanu in 1990.
Daniels told Sky Sports that it was also Tom Daley’s advice from his alternative Christmas message on Channel 4 the year before that made him want to come out.
This resonated with Daniels and encouraged him to be his true self. During a Channel 4
interview, Daniels told Daley: “It’s been the best thing I have ever done in my life with just the support, how I feel to be able to live my life and how I want to live it.”
Despite fearing what people might think of him, he received a ton of support from celebrities such as Elton John, Matt Lucas and Sir Ian McKellen. As well as
sports stars and pundits such as Gary Lineker, Jamie Carragher and Jack Grealish.
In 2022, Zander Murray, who plays in the non-professional Lowland League, became the only Scottish player to come out. Despite the overwhelming love and support from fans, he has received some negative backlash from trolls on social media.
In 2018 ex-footballer and
Justin Fashanu’s younger brother, John Fashanu told Good Morning Britain that there are currently well-known Premier League footballers who are gay but can’t come out as their reputation would be destroyed by the toxic volatile behaviour from some supporters.
Fashanu later went on to defend Qatar’s ban of the One Love Armband and said that players should not make a political statement whilst playing there.
Kingston University journalism lecturer Colin Crummy, who investigated the homosexuality issue in 2013, said: “Back then, people I talked to for the story were saying gay footballers were out to teammates, managers, family and friends but they were afraid of the reaction on the pitch.”
He added: “Jake Daniels coming out at the start of his career is a very positive sign.”
There is clearly still a long way to go, but with changing attitudes of players and the FA’s stated aim to eliminate discrimination from the game, there is hope that more change will follow, including the attitude of fans.
