Caring for Someone While at Uni? You’re Not Alone

Balancing uni with caring or parenting isn’t easy, so this guide is here to help and break down the support, advice and resources available to help you manage it all.

One in ten of us have caring responsibilities, so you're not alone even if you may feel like it.

Here at Salford Uni there is lots of help avaliable for you...

When are you classed as a carer?

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage without this help because of frailty, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.

How can being a Student Carer can affect your studies?

• Time constraints make it hard to meet deadlines, complete work or attend face to face sessions
• It can be difficult to commit to taking part in the ‘extra’ bits of uni e.g societies and sports
• Mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and low mood fatigue
• Financial struggles

How your SU can help you...

• Academic Advice is available all year round, including support with PMC’s, appeals and more
• Frequent drop in events such as free sports, crafternoons and wellbeing events inlcuding easy ongoing activities with no commitment
• Signposting for mental health services from our Advice team, just book an appointment by emailing at su-advicecentre@salford.ac.uk.
• Peer to peer support from the Rafiki team

What other help is avaliable?

• Bursary for student carers, in which the uni offers a £550 cash bursary to support students verified as having caring responsibilities
• A Carer Support Plan, which can offer you academic support during your studies, and appointments can be held face-to-face, or via a phone/teams call. 
• To get this help the university asks you to register your caring responsibilities with us by completing the registration form, which is avaliable on the university website.

We are here to help if you are struggling, just reach out!