Affordable/Free Food

Too Good to Go – Food waste app. Affiliated with the University and other major chains in Kingston. If you need cheap/free food, download the app for collection points.

Waste 2 Plate – A brick-and-mortar location in Thames-Upon-Ditton. 

Kingston Foodbank – Foodbank in Kingston. You need a voucher to collect food. Vouchers are easily accessible through their website. 

Save the World’s Community Fridge – STWC is right next to our Penrhyn Road Campus! The Community Fridge offers cheap/free healthy food for collection. 18 Southsea Road, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2EH

Kingston Food Centre – Located near Kingston train station, this is a top-rated international supermarket offering a multitude of cuisines and is open 7:00-21:00 six days a week. 11 Richmond Road Kingston Upon Thames, Hampton, Uk KT2 5BW

Traditional/Halal

Oseyo Kingston – A large Asian supermarket specialising in Korean foods and ingredients. 99-101 Clarence St, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1QY

Seoul Plaza – A Korean supermarket. They import many different Asian cuisines. They have a website you can also order on. Multiple locations. 2 in New Malden and 1 in Kingston. 55A, Eden Street, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 1BW

Halal Butchers

Haji Bab Halal Meats Asda Roehampton Superstore, 31 Roehampton Vale, SW15 3DT

ADA Food Centre 36 Cambridge Road, Norbiton Kingston KT1 3JY

Aziz Halal Centre Hillside 349 W Barnes Lane, New Malden KT3 6JF

Restaurants serving ethnic and cultural foods to be found in the ‘Nightlife and Social’ section!

Ayan Hair and Beauty - Located in Kingston town centre, this Afro and European cosmetic shop offers products for all hair types. Most major hair care brands can be found in store. 149-151 Clarence St, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1QT

OGB6 Beauty Palace - A little further out, you can find this salon at the back of a hair supply store. Services inlcude (but are not limited to!) French curls, box braids and Senegalese twists. The salon is black-owned and is reasonably priced. A214, 80 Westow Hill, London SE19 1SB

All Students

Student Beans – You can sign up for free with your student email for a host of discounts across multiple brands including Asos, Princess Polly, JD Sports, GymShark and many many more.

UniDays – You can sign up for free with your student email for a host of discounts across over 800 brands including Apple, Domino’s, Adidas and many many more.

Kingston Bursary – If your household income is less than £25,000, you can apply for this bursary.

Turn2Us – This charity supports students financially across the country. If you are struggling, reach out to them to discover how they can best support you.

Kingston Giving – Charity providing grants and resources to underprivileged communities. You may be able to receive a grant from KC depending on your circumstances.

BOOM Community Bank – Independent community-focussed bank offering ethical financial solutions with local impact.

Money and Pensions Service – Feel overwhelmed with money manage ment? This free service can offer advice and support.

Disabled Students

Disabled Students Allowance– If you have a Disability, Long-Term Health Condition, Mental Health Condition or Specific Learning Difference (SpLD), you may be able to claim Disabled Students’ Allowance. Search ‘DSA Kingston University’

There are 100s of clubs, bars and restaurants across Kingston. We have selected a few venues and nights/events that particularly cater to those looking for safe spaces.

LGBTQ+ Clubs/Venues

Bacchus – This club hosts LGBTQ+ club nights, and is affordable and very popular amongst students. 2 Union St, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1RP 

Old London Road Cafe – New 30-capacity queer-friendly venue perfect for affordable day-time and sober events. 52 Old London Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT2 6QF 

Girls Nights

Galentines – Valentines’ alternatives for the girls! @Bacchus on the 13th February 2025, tickets on KSU website!

Halal Restaurants and Takeaways - all in Kingston Town Centre!

Cappadocia

Lebanese Valley

Roti Run

Lebanese Halal Express

Persian Riverside Chilli

Chilli Cha Cha

Rooster Run

Ranya Restaurant

Comptoir Libanais

Pizza Express (Halal Chicken)

Houses of Worship

Mosques

Kingston Mosque - 55 East Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2UJ

Temples

Hindu

Sri Raja Rajeswari Amman Temple - 55 East Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2UJ

Buddhist

Shinnyo En - The Manor House Woodstock Lane North, Long Ditton, Ditton Hill KT6 5HL

Synagogues

Kingston Liberal Synogogue - Rushett Road, Long Ditton, KT7 0UX

Gurdwaras

Sri Guru Singh Sabha - 1690 London Road, Norbury, SW16 EP

GuruHar Rai Sahib - 58 Lower Marsh Lane, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 3BJ

Community Spaces

Kingston Muslim Youth - Charity youth group providing mentoring services, social/sporting events, work shops, career guidance and academic and spiritual support for young Muslims. The KMY Centre, 18 Southsea Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EH

Head to the KSU website or the Societies Guide 2025 to find our list of religious societies, all of whom will be hosting a variety of religious and cultural events during the year.

Kingston Voluntary Action – KVA and Parkside Football offer free Sunday football for men 18+ of all abilities. Sessions take place on Sunday at 13:00 Fairfield Recreation Ground, Kingston, KT1 2PY

Kingston Cycling Campaign – Free beginner-friendly group cycling. Dr Bike – offers free bike-tuning, bike-marking and general maintenance on campus.

Gary for Subsidised Bikes – Offers occasional student discounts on bikes.

Head to the KSU website or the Societies Guide to see all of our Sports Clubs.

Kingston University Disability and Mental Health Service – Students with disability can get emotional and academic support through this free service.

Kingston Women’s Centre – Organisation by women for women, providing safe and confidential counselling. Canbury Park Road, Kingston Upon Thames, KT2 6LG

Voices of Hope – Hub for women providing events, classes and safe spaces. 161A Clarence Street, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey KT1 1QT

Kingston Bereavement Service – Specialist bereavement counselling, therapy and support. 53-55 Canbury Park Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT2 6LQ

The Wolverton: Sexual Health Kingston – Clinic with LGTBQ+ specialism and HIV counselling. Kingston Hospital Galsworthy Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT2 7QB

Free Yoga - Every Thursday at Penrhyn Road Campus KSU Events Space

FASTMIND: ADHD Adults Support – Non-profit user-lead group with the aim of supporting adults affected by ADHD - whether formally diagnosed or not. Informal socials, newsletters and public awareness campaigns.

Migrant Advocacy Service – Non-profit community advocacy and outreach organisation for vulnerable migrants living or studying in or around Kingston. 2 Cambridge Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT1 3JU 

Refugee Action Kingston – Advice on immigration, wellbeing and careers.

LGBTQ+ Charities/Networks

Kingston University LGBTQ+ Staff Network - Predominantly a network for LGTBQ+ staff, but this group is open to students joining them for particular events such as Pride in London.

Kingston LGBTQ+ Forum – Social and campaigning space. This group hosts a varie ty of events including socials, yoga sessions and pub quizzes.

Kingston LGTBQIA+ and Allies Student Society – KSU's LGBTQ+ Students Society puts on a variety of fun events during the year and offers a space for queer students to connect, form community and find resources. Find more info in the Protected Societies section by scrolling down.

Women's Charities/Networks

Women's Hub - This programme, delivered by Voices of Hope, puts on events activities to build sisterhood and community with fellow women. 161A Clarence St, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1QT

East Asian Charities/Networks 

Kingston Chinese Association - Social network celebrating Chinese culture. Traditional dance, song, cooking classes, mahjong, Guheng, Tai Chi, Chinese New Year, dumpling festival and much more!

South Asian Charities/Networks

Namaste Kingston - Non-profit organisation that promotes, preserves and celebrate Indian culture through events and community building.

Head to the Kingston Students’ Union website to f ind a list of all student cultural societies, includ ing Pakistani Society, Filipino Society, Chinese Society, and more.

Disabled Charities/Networks

Kingston Association for the Blind – Promoting the interests of people with sight loss in Kingston. This charity hosts an audio book club, tech sessions, and general socials. KAB provides sight support at bus and train stations when attending their events. Kingston Quaker Centre Fairfield E, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2PT 

Illustration of two people sat in front of a laptop working

Black Student Experience Research Project

In 2024, our Research Coordinator led a Black Student Experience Project to better understand the realities faced by Black students at Kingston. The findings were clear: systemic change is needed. The Inclusion Hub was created in direct response to one of the report’s key recommendations - bringing together practical, culturally competent resources in one accessible space. We’re committed to fulfilling every action outlined in the report, and this is just the beginning.

Black Student Experience Project

 

Our Protected Societies

At Kingston Student Union, we proudly support a range of protected societies - student-led spaces created by and for communities who experience marginalisation, underrepresentation, or systemic barriers. These societies offer connection, advocacy, and celebration of identity, whether you're LGBTQ+, disabled, or part of a racialised community. They’re not just social groups - they’re what you make of them! Platforms for change and campaigning, safe spaces for community building, events and more. If you identify with a protected characteristic, we’d love for you to get involved: join as a member, attend events, or run for a committee role to help shape the future of inclusive student life.

 

Check out our EDI events

From History Months and cultural festivals to awareness days and community-led events, this calendar highlights key dates across the year—including Diwali, South Asian Heritage Month, Black History Month, Trans Day of Visibility, and more. It’s designed to honour the richness of our student body, amplify marginalised voices. If you’re planning an event, want to collaborate, or have a date you think should be included, we’d love to hear from you. This calendar grows through student input - so help us make it as vibrant, representative, and meaningful as possible.

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EDI Events Calendar
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KU Cares 'Feel at Home' Catalogue

In collaboration with KU Cares, KU Art student Quail Wang (aka Qinyun Wang) created this beautiful catalogue to help students from all cultures feel at home in Kingston. Peruse to see all the different cultural resources Kingston has to offer!