Our City Cares team provides financial, pastoral, and educational support to students who have unpaid caring responsibilities, from application stage through to graduation and searching for employment.
We also offer pre-entry advice and guidance through our Widening Participation Outreach team.
“By receiving specific updates from the Designated Member of Staff on support available, especially amid the pandemic, City Cares has made life a little bit less stressful” - Alexandra, young adult carer and 1st year Sociology student
Who is a young adult carer?
Young Adult Carers are young people aged 16-25 who care, unpaid, for a family member or friend with a long-term illness or disability, mental health condition, or misuses drugs or alcohol.
Pre-entry support
The Widening Participation Outreach team offers a range of events and activities for students thinking about university and those who would like support to prepare them for university. Alongside the Designated Member of Staff (DMS), you can access pre-entry support such as application advice, 1:1 bespoke visit days, Taster Weeks and Pre-Induction events.
To see a comprehensive list of City’s Widening Participation Outreach activities, please download our guide.
For more information please contact us by emailing citycaressupport@city.ac.uk.
Financial support
- Young Adult Carers Bursary - students who meet the eligibility criteria and have disclosed documented evidence of their caring responsibilities will be awarded up to £3,500 each year of their studies for up to three years
- Hardship Fund - students who find themselves in financial hardship can apply for the Hardship Fund. Young adult carers are eligible for up to £1,200
- Graduation package – young adult carers in their final year of undergraduate studies who have completed their studies will be offered a meeting with the DMS as well as an appointment with a careers consultant. Upon attending both appointments, City will help cover the costs of graduation including gown hire, photos and two family/friend tickets.
On-course support
City offers the following support to help students transition to City life, support you on your course and prepare for life after graduation.
- Academic support - for support with disability, dyslexia and other Specific Learning Differences (SpLDs) and academic skills. Attend workshops and 1:1 sessions to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your studies
- A Designated Member of Staff (DMS) to be the first point of contact and named officer to support students throughout your time at City
- CityBuddies peer mentoring - for first year, undergraduate students to be matched with a second or third year student from the same course (where possible) to help you settle in to student life. Young adult carers are prioritised for this scheme. For more information, please visit the CityBuddies page. (Please note this is available for undergraduate students only)
- Professional mentoring - second and third year undergraduate care-experienced students will be guaranteed an interview and given priority for the Professional mentoring scheme; a development opportunity that provides students with a six month mentoring relationship with a person in industry. This is aimed at those with minimum work experience, who would like to build their confidence and feel that they need professional guidance
- Mental health mentoring and counselling – as a young adult carer you can be prioritised for accessing counselling services and regular specialist mentoring. The Mental Health team can work collaboratively with the DMS to help with your transition to City and offer longer term practical advice and emotional support over the course of your academic studies.
Thinking of applying?
If you have any questions about the application process, would like to know more about City, University of London, or would like to arrange a visit to campus, please contact us by emailing citycaressupport@city.ac.uk.