University of Portsmouth staff and students provide food parcels to support coronavirus fight

While many students have returned home after the University of Portsmouth closed for face to face teaching, for a number of students, particularly those from overseas, this was not an option.

With some of these students now having to self-isolate due to experiencing coronavirus symptoms or being classed as vulnerable, staff had become concerned for their welfare with no family or friends close by to rely on for support.

More than 80 food parcels have now been put together and delivered to those in need by the Estates and Campus Services team.

Team director, Fiona Bell, said: ‘Due to difficulties in accessing online shopping, we wanted to ensure students living in Portsmouth were being supported during this difficult time. The response and donations from our staff at the university has been quite overwhelming and enabled us to make this happen.’

Each parcel has been put together by the university’s catering supplies and contains items such as tea, coffee, sugar, milk, bread, soup, pasta, fruit and porridge plus treats such as chocolate. Parcels, which were delivered to students living in halls and private accommodation, also included a note with information about wellbeing support services available.

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Meanwhile, a business student who had to return home to London has continued the university’s good work by providing free takeaway meals for NHS staff working in the capital.

Jigar Patel has been working at his family’s restaurant, Desi Dhaba, along with a team of 20 volunteers from the Indian community to provide hospital staff with up to 2,000 meal parcels every day.

Jigar said: ‘Our vision is to help doctors, nurses and other health and care staff who are vital to the community. We are also serving vulnerable people who need the food at this crucial time, like those who are homeless and older people in care homes.’