A local charity is encouraging Kingston University students to connect with others in the community.
Save the World Club has continued providing food and essential support across Kingston across the festive period, as demand remains high.
Now, the charity is looking for more volunteers from KU students to help those who may be struggling in the new year.
They are also calling for those who may find themselves in dire straights to reach out for support from Save the World Club.
Studies show that around 75% of people report their mental health worsens during or after the festive period, with loneliness and financial stress peaking in January.
Volunteering could be helpful for students looking to get back into the swing of the new semester too.
According to mental health charity Mind, nearly four in five students experience increased anxiety or low mood over the Christmas break, often due to disrupted routines and isolation, and the post-Christmas financial pressure can intensify anxiety and depression.
Save the World Club was founded five years ago during the Covid-19 pandemic, when John and a small group of volunteers began delivering food to Kingston Hospital and other key workers.
“What started as taking food to key workers quickly grew,” John said. “Students started turning up asking for food, families needed support, and we realised how many people were struggling.”
As the pandemic continued, the charity expanded from emergency deliveries to door-to-door support, our community in Kingston. What initially ran once a week soon became a daily operation, responding to increasing need in the area.
Now, Save the World Club collects donated food every morning from 7:00 am from various supermarkets, including Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, local takeaways, and KFC. Volunteers use three large vans and a smaller vehicle to distribute food across Kingston, Tolworth and surrounding areas.
Every Friday night from 10 pm, people queue outside the club to receive food. John said a significant number of those seeking support are students from Kingston University. During the Christmas period, the charity supported around 150 people per day, highlighting the scale of food insecurity faced by residents and students during the winter months. “The weeks after Christmas are often the most difficult,” John said.
“People think Christmas is the hardest time, but January can be worse,” he said. “People feel forgotten, winter gets worse. That’s why we keep our doors open every day.”
The club has built a strong community. Many arrive as strangers to collect food but quickly they become part of a team.
“We started as strangers helping out,” John said. “Now we’re a whole team and have become close friends and family.”
Save The World Club is always working overnight, collecting food around Kingston. People are happy just to help when they can. There are treasures in different ways at the club.
For students in particular, the charity has become a vital support network. Alongside food, the club helps students access clothing, furniture and practical support during difficult periods.
“Students go through a lot,” John said. “Exam pressure, lack of income, broken families or being far from home. We love helping students because we understand those struggles.”
The club also supports people experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges and substance misuse. Those without access to cooking facilities are invited to prepare meals at the club, offering both practical help and a safe environment.
Volunteering, organisers say, can be just as beneficial for those giving their time. Many volunteers describe it as a form of “free therapy,” especially during the darker winter months. Being part of a team, helping others and having a sense of purpose can improve mental wellbeing and reduce feelings of isolation.
Volunteering with the club enables students to develop skills such as teamwork and communication, gain experience beyond the academic realm, and establish a professional network.
What began as a pandemic response has grown into a vital support system for Kingston residents and students. As the new year begins, the charity hopes more students will see volunteering as a meaningful resolution, a way to give back, develop skills and find connection.
“We’re always here to help,” John said. “Together, we’ll find a way to keep going.”