Young adult carers
Worried about how your caring duties might affect your studies at Kingston University? There’s plenty of help available to support you through your student journey. Learn all about it here.
Who are young adult carers?
You’re a young adult carer if:
- You’re aged 25 or under when you enrol onto a Kingston University undergraduate degree programme
- You have significant, unpaid caring responsibilities for a family member or close friend
That could be because of:
- A long-term or terminal illness
- A disability
- A mental health condition
- Frailty or old-age
- Addiction or substance misuse
What support is available?
There is a range of different support for young adult carers studying at Kingston University.
If you’re a young adult carer at Kingston University and have been assessed as a 'home' student for fee purposes, you are eligible for:
- A Young Adult Carer Bursary of between £500 and £1000, depending on your household income
- Priority for the Kingston Bursary, if you meet all the criteria
As a young adult carer you’ll get:
- A priority place in hall
- Access to 365-day accommodation after your first year (where available, and as long as you meet the conditions in the halls licence agreement)
- Guidance for living in private accommodation
- Signposting to relevant services for comprehensive housing advice
When you graduate, you’ll get:
- Free gown hire
- A photography package
- Two guest tickets
- An 'outduction' meeting with the KU Cares team
Our KU Cares team will support your student journey from application to graduation.
They can help you find opportunities that fit around your studies and caring responsibilities. That includes things like placements and paid work through our Student Ambassador scheme.
We also run at least three KU Cares café drop-ins every year. These small, relaxed sessions are the perfect chance to get face-to-face support and meet students with similar experiences.
Am I eligible for support?
You’re eligible for support if you are:
- Aged 25 or under at the time of enrolment
- Assessed as a ‘home' student by the university
- Enrolled on an undergraduate course or a PGCE
- Eligible for the full maintenance loan from Student Finance
- Able to provide a letter from a carers network, local authority or a professional (such as a GP or teacher) to prove your young adult carer status
How to apply for support
Send your evidence letter along with any questions you have to kucares@kingston.ac.uk.
Someone from the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Useful information
Young carers might find the following external resources helpful:
By law, carers are entitled to an assessment to work out how to balance personal health and wellbeing with caring responsibilities.
You can set up a meeting with social services in the area where the person you're caring for lives. This can help you find and access the support you need. You might be eligible for:
- Respite care
- Membership to carers support groups
- Access to a Carers Emergency Scheme
Find out more about being a carer in Kingston upon Thames.
The following organisations offer a range of higher education support for young adult carers:
Get in touch
Want more information on our support for young adult carers? Email our KU Cares team with any questions or queries.
