Supporting care leavers at graduation
Thousands of Kingston students will be graduating in 2023, including 18 care leavers - These remarkable students will be receiving a graduation package they deserve - all thanks to your support!
Kingston University is a top ten Social Mobility University committed to helping young people of all backgrounds to access higher education, thrive at university and succeed in their careers.
As we get ready for our summer graduations and celebrate a new cohort of Kingston graduates and their achievements, one remarkable group of graduating students have been supported by KU Cares. The programme helps those facing extra challenges to reach this milestone, and includes care leavers who have spent time in local authority care (such as foster care or residential children's homes).
Mind the gap
Care leavers lack a family support network to help buffer emotional or financial problems, such as increases in the cost of living (which have not been matched in student loans), and have to manage unique challenges at university, such as finding and funding summer accommodation. The effect can be seen in national university drop-out rates, which for care leavers and the most disadvantaged are up to 38% higher than their peers.
KU Cares carefully designed programme of pastoral care and financial support helps to bridge these gaps to enable students to thrive during their studies at Kingston University, and includes a dedicated KU Cares team, KU Cares bursary, and priority for a place in halls for 365 days a year. Simply, this support means more care leavers graduating!
Taking the next step
At graduation time, we offer care leavers free gown hire, a photography package and two guest tickets to celebrate their achievement. There is also a bespoke outduction meeting with a KU Cares advisor to discuss the next steps for career, housing and finances, and a graduation bursary to help them get started.
We could not offer this support to care leavers without the support of our alumni and friends. Your gift today will help care leavers at Kingston University to achieve their graduation dreams!
Thank you!
Find out more
Please visit www.kingston.ac.uk/giving to find out more.
