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Support

With 

Education

Being in school, college or further education might be something you've done for a while whilst caring for someone else at the same time. But it can be incredibly difficult to keep on top of things as your education workload increases and as your caring role changes. 

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Maybe you're still in education and want some support to help you get better grades, or maybe you've left education and would really like to go back or start a new venture at university. Whatever you want we can help you reach for your goals. 

Carers Trust found that 29% of young adult carers dropped out of college or university because of their caring role. This is four times more than the national average. Here you can find tips, advice and information on how you can achieve your education goals. 

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Many universities and colleges have initiatives or support programmes in place to help students with care responsibilities. Read the UCAS resource page to find out how universities can help you and the support available. 

University Alternatives

Not everyone's path is the same. Sometimes traditional routes of education are not the right fit for everyone, especially if you're caring for someone alongside studying. Check out some of the alternatives that might work for you!

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Distance Learning is a great option for anyone who would find it easier to study from home. The Open University is a great place for information and courses you can do from home. Find out more here.

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Apprenticeships are a great option if you want to get stuck in and learn on the job. There are so many businesses now offering apprenticeships where you can learn great skills and earn money. Find out more here.

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Flexible & Part time courses are great for people who can't commit to study full time or who are also working or caring alongside education. Find out more here.

Personal Statement Writing Tips

Personal Statement Writing Tips

  • Concentrate on your strengths and don't rush over anything. 

  • Read the course details and apply it to your skills and experiences. If they use a certain word, use that same word in your statement. 

  • Talk about your ambitions and goals, what do you hope to achieve?

  • Proof read! Printing out your statement sometimes makes errors easier to spot. 

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Student Finance doesn't have to be scary. Read some mythbusters and facts about student finance here. 

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Bursaries and grants may be available to you depending on your situation. Find out more here or get in touch with us to find out more.

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Get paid to learn through apprenticeships or teaching programs where you can learn and work on the job. Find out more here. 

Funding Your Education

Money is one of those things that stops a lot of people from going to university because they just don't see how they can do it. But there are options out there to enable you to go to university, or study in other ways.

The Learning and Work Institute has some great resources for Young Adult Carers including some downloadable packs for Young Adult Carers in further education and more. Check it out here!

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Tessa

Uni and studying advice from student YAC Tessa.

Top advice for my fellow young adult carers is to look into it. Never shut the door on university just because you can’t be the standard full-time, away-from-home, #HallsLife student. You can study part time, you can commute, find out about the financial support on offer (because as a carer you’re most likely eligible for certain grants and schemes!) You can get deadline extensions or extenuating circumstances during exam periods when it gets too much, you can access university wellbeing services, you got your student union... many universities have carer societies! 

 

When I didn’t do as well as I wanted in a recent assessment, I spoke to a tutor about it. She asked if everything was okay at home and I said “same old same old.” I then explained my home situation and she had a lot of sympathy for me and made me remember that not every student is dealing with what I’m dealing with. She reminded me to be kinder to myself.

 

So even if you decide uni isn’t for you, at least you gave it a fair look-in as a viable option, instead of slamming a door that you never knew could lead somewhere!

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Read Tessa's story here. 

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