National Care Leavers Month and Estranged Student Solidarity Week
November 2026
This November, we're recognising Care Leaver Month and Estranged Student Solidarity Week, taking the opportunity to celebrate the achievements, resilience and contributions of care-experienced and estranged students across our community. Through this year's themes, Leading the Way: From Experience to Empowerment and Invisible No More, we'll be raising awareness, sharing stories, and highlighting the support, opportunities and networks available at Surrey.
What’s happening at Surrey?
The University of Surrey has been a proud signatory of the Care Leaver Covenant for over 6 years, promising to support the care leaver community in many ways. You can read our commitment here.
If you’re a care leaver or estranged, you will be added to our Future Leader mailing list so you can hear about the latest events and opportunities at university. Just become estranged or didn’t declare your care leaver status at the beginning of the year? No worries – email the team on SSEDI@surrey.ac.uk
Financial Support
Care Leaver and Estranged Student Bursary
The Care Leaver and Estranged Student Bursary is now LIVE and accepting applications. This fund exists to support care leavers and estranged students with the costs of coming to university, helping them to thrive and succeed. Eligible students are awarded £3000 in total in one academic year, with a £500 moving on support for students who are graduating.
Read the full eligibility criteria and apply via the Blackbullion's Funding Hub.
If you have applied already, we will provide the outcome of your application over the next few weeks.
The Sam and John Dawson Care-Experienced Scholarship
Supporting undergraduate students by providing £15,000 (£5,000 per academic year for up to three years of study). An additional £5,000 will be given should a Professional Training Year be taken.
Battersea Scholarship
Supporting one undergraduate student with their studies by providing £4,000 per academic year for up to three years of study, with an additional £4,000 given should a Professional Training Year be taken.
Access to Learning Fund
The University of Surrey can offer a limited number of awards up to the value of £250 to Home students (currently residing in the UK/ UK postcode) who meet one of the Widening Participation (WP) criteria
Hardship Fund
Hardship Funds are intended to be the last resort for students in financial difficulty. Please think carefully before applying, making sure you have taken into account all options available to you, such as income from work, savings, benefits, and speaking to third parties to discuss payment plans etc, if relevant.
Study Abroad Scholarships and Bursaries
In addition to the Turing Scheme and IEO Summer Award, there are various different grants and scholarships that you can apply for through Surrey.
Long-Term Laptop Loan
The Long-Term Laptop Loan Scheme is only available to home students currently living in the UK.
Housing Support
Accommodation Priority
Gain added peace of mind with priority consideration for on-campus accommodation during summer vacations and throughout your second and third year at Surrey.
Employability and Enterprise Support
Employability Hub
Whether you're looking for your first part-time job, a placement year, volunteering experience or graduate opportunities, this is your one-stop hub for careers support. Explore opportunities, book appointments with careers advisers, attend events, and access practical resources to boost your confidence and employability.
Careers Coaching
If you are a care leaver or an estranged student, you can access free one-to-one careers coaching. You’ll be matched with a named Careers Adviser who you can meet over several appointments to support you to:
- explore your options after university
- build the skills and experience you need
- find and apply for jobs, placements and other opportunities
To arrange an initial careers coaching appointment, email careers@surrey.ac.uk and say that you would like careers coaching. We will find a time that suits you for your initial appointment and subsequent appointments can be agreed with you and your coach. Please include NCLM in your email so we know where you heard about this opportunity.
Email subject suggestion: Careers coaching – NCLM
Upcoming events
LGBTQ+
Group
Tuesday 10 November 2026
7 - 8:30 PM
Meet and connect with other LGBTQ+ care experienced people in a relaxed, welcoming, and understanding space. This session is all about creating a safe environment where you can chat openly, share experiences if you’d like to, and feel supported by others who understand your journey.
Community Lunch
Wednesday 25 November 2026
2 - 3 PM
Come join us for a delicious meal and great company at the Hillside food Court. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to connect with other care experienced and estranged students and enjoy some tasty food together.
The booking link will be live a week before the lunch - make sure you check your emails for your invitation!
Community Lunch
Wednesday 24 February 2027
2 - 3 PM
Come join us for a delicious meal and great company at the Hillside food Court. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to connect with other care experienced and estranged students and enjoy some tasty food together.
The booking link will be live a week before the lunch - make sure you check your emails for your invitation!
Try Recreational Sport for Free During Belonging Week!
As part of Belonging Week (9-15 November), we're giving you the exciting opportunity to try all of our recreational sports sessions for free!
Whether you're looking to stay active, meet new people or try something new, there's something for everyone.
How to book your free sessions
- Download the Surrey SP app.
- Log in using your University of Surrey account details.
- On the homepage, click the Team Surrey banner at the bottom of the screen.
- Select Bookings.
- Click PlaySport Sessions.
- Browse our free recreational sessions and choose any that interest you.
- Click Book Now to secure your place.
Win a FREE SSP Gold Membership
The students who engage the most with our recreational sports sessions during Belonging Week will be entered into a prize draw to win a free SSP Gold Membership.
To enter, simply email playsport@teamsurrey.co.uk a screenshot of your booking confirmation for each session you attend.
The lucky winner will be contacted on 16 November.
Get involved, try something new and make the most of Belonging Week!
Future Leaders Lounge
Come along to the lounge between 12 pm and 3 pm for an afternoon of Mario Kart, board games, snacks and good company. It's a great chance to meet new people, enjoy your lunch, and find out more about the support and opportunities available to you at Surrey.
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Spotlight Lounge - Recognising Your Achievements |
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Join us on the 24th of November at the Future Leader Lounge to find out what support is available for you from our Students’ Union, Employability and Careers, ThriveWell, and the Library Team. We’re planning on celebrating your achievements so far and you can write on our board “What’s the one thing you’ve achieved that you never thought you would?” – this board will also be available to contribute to in the Library for the rest of the week If you’re a first-year student and didn’t manage to grab your care leaver/estranged welcome goody bag during welcome week, come grab one at the Lounge! |
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Upcoming Dates |
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Tuesday 24 November 2026 |
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Monday 22 February 2027 |
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Monday 1 March 2027 |
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Tuesday 9 March 2027 |
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Tuesday 16 March 2027 |
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Monday 22 March 2027 |
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Monday 5 April 2027 |
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Monday 12 April 2027 |
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Monday 19 April 2027 |
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Monday 26 April 2027 |
External Opportunities and Support
All of Us - Student Blogs and Articles
Have a story, experience or insight to share? All of Us is looking for student writers to contribute paid blogs on topics linked to community and belonging, helping to raise awareness of the experiences of estranged and care-experienced students. Successful submissions receive £25 per blog.
Looking for flexible paid work alongside your studies? The Celebration Calendar Coordinator role offers around 20 hours per month from November 2026 to June 2027, paid at the London Real Living Wage. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your creativity and gain valuable experience while fitting work around your studies. Applications close at midnight on Tuesday 3 November.
Looking after your wellbeing is just as important as your studies. BECOME's Propel into Education team is running an online Wellbeing at University workshop to help you explore ways to support your wellbeing and learn where to access help when you need it.
Wellbeing at University workshop
Wednesday 25 November | Online | 6 - 7 PM
Need advice or support? BECOME's Advice Line offers free, confidential support for young people in care and care leavers.
Call: 0800 023 2033
Email: advice@becomecharity.org.uk
WhatsApp: 0800 023 2033
You can also access a range of additional resources and opportunities:
Wellbeing and support resources
Guidance and information designed to support you throughout your education journey.
Paid and volunteering opportunities
Discover ways to gain experience, get involved and develop new skills.
Employability workshops
Build your confidence, develop career skills and prepare for future opportunities.
Rees Foundation run a number of online groups called 'Let's Connect', which allow you to connect with other members of the care experienced community. Our opportunities are open to care experienced adults of all ages, and we find that these networks can lead to life-long and empowering friendships.
The groups are facilitated using a team who may be care experienced or individuals who are experienced by profession, with the ultimate aim of creating a safe place where care experienced people can meet to discuss matters of interest to them.
To join one of their online groups, just click the button below and follow the instructions
LGBTQ+ Group
Meet and connect with other LGBTQ+ care experienced people in a relaxed, welcoming, and understanding space. This session is all about creating a safe environment where you can chat openly, share experiences if you’d like to, and feel supported by others who understand your journey.
This session takes place on 10th November, 7 - 8:30 PM
Headspace Hub: Real Talk for Resilience
Take some time for yourself in a relaxed and supportive space. Explore practical wellbeing techniques, discover ways to manage everyday challenges and build resilience to help you feel more confident navigating life's ups and downs.
This workshop takes place on 26th November, 11:30 AM - 1 PM
A comprehensive guide of next-steps after leaving care, including financial support, employment and key documents
A non-profit to support and empower adult children estranged from their family through support groups, events and workshops, and providing guides and resources.
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