Estranged Students Solidarity Week

Over the summer just gone I just kind of sat on my bed and thought: ‘Oh my God, I hate living like this, not knowing anybody who's in the same scenario, because there’s got to be’. So I sat and thought: ‘Right, I want to get more involved with the Union and actually make my voice heard’. I’m hoping to start a society. It’s not actually off the ground yet. So, it would be like a network for people who have left care, or don’t have contact with their parents, can meet up and talk. I’m hoping through those events I can advertise what the University does because not everybody in that situation knows that there’s this bursary out there. It took me three months to know that it’s a thing. So the University have signed the Stand Alone Pledge to prioritise wellbeing to get as many counselling sessions as you need. There’s the Unite scholarship as well, which basically gets you into halls for free. Didn’t know about that, so now I’ve missed out on it. Obviously where I now know these things, I’m hoping this society can get off the ground and other people don’t have to miss out on these opportunities. I mean, imagine not having to pay your rent for a year? Who doesn’t want that? There’s so much that the University do, and I want other people to know about it and utilise it. 
- Leah

Leah shares her story about finding out what support is available to estranged students.

Did you know, the University signed the Stand Alone Pledge to provide support to estranged students?

Two years ago the University signed a pledge to support students going going through University life without a family support network.

The pledge highlights that students experiencing additional challenges will receive a tailored package from the University, providing assistance through additional financial support, helping securing accommodation and ensuring mental health and wellbeing are considered.

Key support includes:

• A £1000 bursary to cover costs for estranged students.
• Access to year-round accommodation in halls of residence.
• Help securing private housing without a guarantor.
• Support from Student Housing
• A student wellbeing adviser as a point of contact throughout university. 

You can read more about the Stand Alone Pledge here.

Sarah* shares her story about how coming to university gave her a new lease of life.

Dan, another estranged student, shares his experiences of being a student at uni without the support of his family, for Estranged Students Solidarity Week.

Alex* talks about how, during a global pandemic, it was particularly hard not having a home to go to.

If you are an estranged student, there is lots of support that you can get from the University. Read about it here.

*Names have been changed.