The Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity team has been working closely with The Carers Federation and Learning and Work Organisation on The Driving Change Project to improve the support young adult carers receive in higher education. By being part of this project, the team has reviewed how students can self-identify as carers, how we can raise more awareness amongst the University community, how to implement new systems to provide additional support and adjustments, as well as looking at external partnerships.
In recognition of the work that has been undertaken, the University is delighted to announce that it has been provided with Carer Support Accreditation.
For student carers or care experienced students, you can receive tailored, ongoing support from a Wellbeing Advisor who can provide guidance with managing academic studies and your overall wellbeing. This may include looking at what adjustments can be made to balance responsibilities, offering self-care strategies and techniques, and signposting to other services where required.
A breakdown of the various support available to care experienced students and student carers, including financial and housing matters, can be found on the Student Advice and Support webpages.
To complement this, over the coming weeks the Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity team are running a number of events to coincide with National Care Leavers Week (24-28 October). Details about these events can be found below, with both virtual and in-person options available. Please note that by attending these events you are not required or expected to talk about your personal experiences during the group sessions.
Support for Care Experienced Students sessions
This session offers care experienced students the opportunity to learn about the support available to them at Loughborough and meet others with similar experiences.
You are care experienced if you have spent time living with foster carers under local authority care, in residential care (eg a children’s home), looked after at home under a supervision order, or in kinship care (looked after by relatives or friends).
Support for Student Carers sessions
This session offers Student Carers the opportunity to learn about the support available to them and meet others with similar experiences.
Loughborough University defines Student Carers as anyone who cares for a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and could not cope without your support. This definition does not include student parents caring for their children.