Students Unions: a form of overlooked support for care-experienced students
It’s that time of year when many students either start their Higher Education (HE) journey or continue their time in HE. The start of the academic year can be exciting but it can also present challenges for students, especially those who are care-experienced who may encounter additional money worries or isolation.
Go Higher West Yorkshire (GHWY) focuses on access and success in HE for under-represented groups in the region, including care-experienced students. Our collaborative Care Leaver Covenant focuses on formal support. Examples of this include our common definition of care-experienced across the partnership, year round accommodation, and named contacts for care leavers.
Care-experienced students can also access informal support to help them overcome challenges with transition to HE or continuation of their studies. Students Unions can be a great form of informal support that are often overlooked. We explore some of the ways in which they can provide support below.
Free events in informal settings
Many Students Unions or Students Hubs at HE providers hold free events in an informal setting to help students. This can make a change from induction events held in classroom style locations.
Most providers will have a wide range of student societies that cover everything from sports to theatre. Individuals can also set up their own societies if their interests are not already covered. These can be a great way to make friends while developing transferable skills.
At clubs, individuals already have a shared activity interest in common. This can mean less awkward conversations about family and background, which are topics that care-experienced students may want to avoid with someone they have just met.
Money help and advice for free
Counselling services are available at most HE providers, but sometimes a student may just need some one-off help to manage their money. The support available varies by HE provider but can include money advice, budgeting tips, and signposting to help. As care-experienced students may not have the financial net of a family, this help is important.
Jobs specifically for students
Employers who are looking for students will often use Students Unions to advertise their job opportunities. Sometimes there will also be jobs on campus, which minimise travel time and costs. This can allow care-experienced students to balance their studies with the need to earn money. It also provides valuable experience to help secure a job after graduation.
A place to socialise and meet up
Student Unions can be a great place to socialise and meet up as there is no expectation to spend money. They tend to be open all year around, except the closure days at HE providers, and can give care-experienced students somewhere that is a home away from home that is on their doorstep. .
Formal support, such as Counselling and Careers Service, can be invaluable but it can sometimes be helpful to look beyond that to Students Unions. They can provide opportunities to combat some of the challenges that care-experienced students can face in HE.
Tahera Mayat, GHWY Collaborative Outreach Officer
