Staff at Sheffield Hallam University have gone the extra mile to ensure that international students had access to everyday essentials whilst in quarantine

Press contact: Greg Mattocks-Evans | g.mattocks-evans@shu.ac.uk

Due to the pandemic, all international students have been required to enter a period of quarantine for 14 days, later reduced to ten.

728 international students were supported during this time and provided with boxes of everyday essentials, food, kitchen packs, bed packs and towels as well as some specialist items including international foods and medication.

In total, 662 food and essential boxes, 463 kitchen packs, 465 bedding backs and 465 towel packs were delivered to students arriving from overseas.

We have also supported 492 students in self isolation as part of our Covid support process - bringing the total number of deliveries to 1,154.

More than 400 international students were also offered free accommodation and support during their quarantine period.

Mark Rooker, campus development manager at Sheffield Hallam University said: “I’m incredibly proud of the work we have done as a group to make this operation a success. We have received a huge amount of positive feedback about the support and the help we have given to all the students in isolation.

“To support some many with so few issues or missed deliveries is testament to the hard work everyone put in, including our Covid support team, catering team and our accommodation partners, often at unsociable hours.”

During the busiest week, 182 drops were made to students and, at one point, 73 boxes were delivered by the catering team in just one day.

Deliveries were also made over weekends and bank holidays, including Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday.

No more international arrivals are expected but the support will remain in place for any student who is required to self-isolate due to Covid-19.