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Starting university is an exciting time for all students, but we understand that it can be daunting if you don’t have the support of your family. If you are an estranged student who does not have any contact with your parents/carers, our We Care team are here to support you every step of the way.
The support I’ve received has ranged from financial support to encouragement to one-to-one support.
I decided to come to Sunderland as I wanted to expand my available possibilities for the future.
The support from the University has been central to me making it through the last year.
Every one of our students is different and unique. That’s why we’ll work with you to create a personalised support package. We aim to support you in making informed choices, settle in quickly at university, enjoy your student experience, and achieve your potential.
We can also support you if you are just thinking of applying to university by assisting you with all aspects of the application process from course choices, feedback on a personal statement to interview tips and hints. We can accompany you to university Open Days, arrange an individual tour, or simply meet up for a chat.
Wendy Price, Head of Widening Access and Participation, is our dedicated contact for estranged students and is assisted by Nicola, Safeenah, and Jess. The We Care Team can offer individual, bespoke support whenever you need it. Any contact is kept confidential and your choices are respected at all times.
We can provide personalised support based on your individual needs. This could include the following:
We offer support with the following:
If you have any questions about studying at the University of Sunderland, or the support available, please contact the We Care Team on 0191 515 2216 or email estranged.contact@sunderland.ac.uk.
96.4% of students who received support from the We Care Team* rate our support as good or very good.
*Data from 54 respondents to University of Sunderland We Care Survey 2023.
The University of Sunderland has achieved the NNECL (National Network for the Education of Care Leavers) Quality Mark, an award which supports higher and further education institutions to achieve the best outcomes for their care-experienced students.
Read more about the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers Quality Mark.
It’s the third time the University of Sunderland’s We Care Team has won a national Stand Alone Pledge Award for its pioneering approach to caring for some of its most vulnerable students – but this year it’s extra special.
Read more about the Stand Alone Pledge Award.
The University's 'We Care' team has won the prestigious Social Mobility Project Award at the 2022 Inclusive Awards.
Read more about the Social Mobility Project Award.
If you are a UK ‘home’ student and irreconcilably estranged from both parents/carers, our We Care team can offer you individual, bespoke support whenever you need it. Any contact is kept confidential and your choices are respected at all times.
The term ‘estranged student’ is used to refer to students who are studying without the support of a family network. We have a support package in place to assist you if you are:
By 'irreconcilably estranged' we mean that either:
For estrangement cases that cannot be confirmed by SFE, proof of evidence of ‘genuine estrangement’ would need to be supplied to the University. All applications of estrangement are assessed on an individual basis.
Please note, you will not be considered estranged simply on the basis that you live separately from your parents, have recently fallen out with your parents, or your parents are unwilling to complete income assessment forms or contribute towards your student finance.
If you are unsure whether you are an estranged student, or what you may be eligible for, please contact the We Care Team on 0191 515 2216 or email estranged.contact@sunderland.ac.uk.
I lead the We Care team and our personalised support for estranged students. The We Care Team can support you from your very first enquiry to graduation and beyond. I have almost 20 years of experience in supporting students to enter and succeed in Higher Education. I’m committed to ensuring that the support we provide exceeds the expectations of our students, so please let me know if there’s anything you think we can do to improve your student experience. I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to the University of Sunderland and our We Care student community.
Hi, I’m Nicola and I work primarily in the We Care Team overseeing support to a wide range of applicants and current students from underrepresented groups. I’ve worked in widening participation and student recruitment for the last 15 years and I am passionate about ensuring everyone has the same opportunities to access higher education.
Hi, I’m Safeenah and I assist the We Care Team’s bespoke support for estranged students. I am keen to ensure students have a positive experience through higher education and are allowed to achieve the highest of their ability. We can have regular catch-ups and discuss how your studies are going or I can support you with any needs you may have before, during, or after your time studying with us.
Studying at university can be challenging but rewarding, so we know that you may experience feeling overwhelmed from time to time during your studies. We can help you throughout any particularly stressful or difficult times by:
Our support doesn’t end when you graduate. We’re here to help with your next steps including everything from interview preparation to finding accommodation if you need it. Just get in touch and we’ll be there to help you every step of the way.
Graduation
We can offer you support in the run up to and on the day of your graduation ceremony. Just let us know how we can help. We will cover the cost of your graduation gown and photo package, and even attend your academic awards ceremony to see you graduate, if you would like us to. We’ll also contact you a few weeks before your graduation to check whether you need any support from us.
Dedicated Careers and Employability Support
The Employability and Enterprise Hub is here to support you with careers and employability advice. Whether you are looking for graduate opportunities or a part-time job over the summer, get in touch and we can refer you for one-to-one support from the team.
We understand that some students may encounter money worries at some point during their studies, but you’re not alone.
You may be entitled to:
If you are care experienced and either a full-time undergraduate student or a student studying a full-time taught postgraduate course, then you could be eligible for the We Care bursary of £2,500 based on progression to the next level of your course. This will be paid in four instalments of £625 throughout the year, for each year you progress through your course with us. Your status is kept confidential and you apply directly through the We Care Team for this bursary. You can apply at any point in the year, so contact us to find out more.
For further information, please contact the We Care Team on 0191 515 2216 or email care.contact@sunderland.ac.uk.
We have a range of scholarships and bursaries available, so get in touch if you need any help or advice in understanding what you may be entitled to. Find out more about what scholarships and bursaries we offer.
For further information or advice, please contact our Scholarships and Bursaries Team on 0191 515 2865 or by email at scholarships@sunderland.ac.uk.
This is the University’s hardship fund to help students who face unexpected costs, higher than expected costs, or serious financial problems for other reasons. The fund is open to UK, EU, and international students, and applications can be made once you have enrolled. You will need to provide supporting evidence for your application to be considered for an award. Priority groups of students for assistance from the fund include students with children, students who are unable to work, and final-year students experiencing financial difficulties. Find more information on the fund (and the application form).
For further information and guidance on your finances, please contact our Student Financial Guidance Team on 0191 515 2284 or email studentfinancialguidance@sunderland.ac.uk.
You can contact Wendy and the We Care Team on 0191 515 2216 or by email at estranged.contact@sunderland.ac.uk.
