Support Care Leavers by donating to the Care Leaver Bursary Fund
Accessing higher education can be a challenge for young adults who have lived in local authority care, as they often don't have any family to support them. 41% of UK care leavers aged 19 to 21 are not in employment, education or training (NEET), compared to 12% of the general youth population.*
We are committed to helping these young adults succeed and have developed a unique programme, KU Cares, to encourage more to attend university. KU Cares supports care leavers through the application process, during their time at university and through graduation into the world of work.
How you can help
By making a donation to the Care Leavers Bursary Fund, you can make a real difference to a young person's future.
Without KU Cares, I would have struggled to go to university.
I was adopted when I was two. I stayed in that family but for reasons out of my control the adoption broke down and I ended up in care when I was 16.
Because I was older, I was left to support myself. My adopted family always encouraged me to go to university, but without their support, I didn't think it would be possible. Kingston provides a supportive package for care leavers and I don't think I would have gone to university if it wasn't for KU Cares.
The year-round accommodation is one of the best aspects of the support. Being in care, you move around so much and are always packing up your things, so it's great to be able to have somewhere that you know you can stay in all year round.
I also love the graduation package, where they give you gown hire for free, a photography package and two free graduation tickets. This is really encouraging as it is a cost a parent might usually cover – it feels nice that they want to support students in celebrating their achievements.
Shekira, BSc Adult Nursing
What donations fund
Donations to the Care Leavers Bursary Fund enable us to provide:
- KU Cares outreach programme,
- help with university application process,
- one-to-one contact, advice and pastoral support during university studies,
- financial support through a KU Cares bursary,
- priority place in halls of residence,
- calendar of social events and specialist support for care leavers,
- graduation ceremony support package.
Any questions?
Please do get in touch if you have any queries about making a donation to Kingston University.
Call us on: +44 (0) 20 8419 3299
Email us at development@kingston.ac.uk
Development, Alumni Relations and Engagement
Second Floor, Main Building
Kingston University,
Penrhyn Road,
Kingston upon Thames,
Surrey, KT1 2EE
*Figures taken from: Department for Education, 2021, Children looked after in England including adoptions.
