St George’s pledges to support estranged students

Published: 21 November 2022

St George’s has signed The Stand Alone Pledge – a national pledge outlining support for students who are estranged from their families. The pledges we have made are detailed on a new dedicated webpage for estranged students. They can also be found on the Stand Alone website. The pledges include:

Outreach and transition (support prior to applying to university)

• Flexible and personalised campus visits for prospective estranged students.
• Estranged students are a priority target group for widening participation activities.
• We have a contextual admissions scheme which is designed to support eligible students, including those who are estranged, to enter the university. It offers an alternative grade offer as well as access to pre-application and post-application support.
• Prior to enrolment there is an opportunity to speak to a current student about any concerns students may have.

Finance

• Estranged students who are undertaking their first undergraduate course are automatically eligible for a £1,000 grant.
• Estranged students are a priority group for our Access to Learning Fund (hardship fund for home students) and may be eligible for additional financial support here.

Accommodation

• Estranged students studying an undergraduate course are given priority for housing in the St George’s Horton Halls of Residence and are eligible for year-round 365-day accommodation contracts if required.
• Estranged students who become homeless are prioritised for emergency accommodation.

Mental health and student support

• The University’s Counselling Service provides a non-judgemental, confidential setting in which to work things through in your own way. It is free of charge and available to all St George’s undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Estranged students have a named contact at St George’s who can support with coordinating financial and pastoral support. Our named contact is Alison Cresswell (Student Accommodation & Welfare Adviser) who can be contacted at studentlifecentre@sgul.ac.uk.

“This is a fantastic package of support giving both financial and practical help to estranged students. I’d really encourage students in this position to get in contact with me as soon as possible to get the ball rolling.”

- Alison Cresswell, Student Accommodation & Welfare Adviser -