The Student Support team are based in Catalyst. We are here to support all students, especially students who are underrepresented in higher education such as care leavers and estranged students. We are on hand to help you if you are struggling or thinking of leaving the University. We are here to discuss your options and offer help and guidance to support you.
If you would like to contact the team, please book an appointment or contact us via email.
Things not going to plan? Don’t panic, you are not on your own.
First of all, if things aren’t going to plan – don’t make any rushed decisions. Whatever is going on, we can help.
The best thing you can do is speak to someone about your situation, your options and the support available. If you are struggling and you would rather speak to someone outside of your department, you can speak to us. We can help you make an informed decision that is right for you.
Support we can help you to access includes:
Emotional and wellbeing support
Help with making friends and feeling involved in uni life
Support with any health issue (mental or physical)
Study skills and learning support
Financial support and advice
Support with accommodation
Careers and job-hunting advice
You can talk to us about your situation, and we can help you manage things. If you choose to leave, we can also help guide you through this process. Whatever you decide your next steps are, we will support you.
You’ve not made friends
Making friends at university can sometimes feel daunting. You may be struggling to make friends in halls, on campus or on your course. It can be normal during this time to feel isolated and to not enjoy your time at university. The important thing to remember is that there is support available!
Our Campus Life team are here to help any students who are struggling to make friends or settle in to their new accommodation.
Campus Life put on a number of social events to help students integrate and meet new people. Make sure to keep up to date with their Facebook page so you never miss an event.
You don’t like your course
You may be feeling that the course isn’t right for you and are unsure what you can do. It is important to consider why you feel this way. Here are some useful things to think of before making any decisions:
What is my main issue with the course?
Do I feel supported on the course?
Is it an academic issue or something else?
The Student Support team will be able to talk through this during our appointments. We can discuss other departments you may want to speak to for some more advice and guidance and we can talk you through all your options.
You are worried about money
If at any point during your time at Edge Hill, you find yourself struggling financially or need help budgeting we can direct you to the relevant support service.
We understand that for some students university is their first experience with balancing income and outgoings and this can sometimes be overwhelming. A weekly or monthly budget can help you to plan and ensure you are fully prepared for university.
If you are experiencing significant financial difficulties the first place to contact is the Money Advice team. The Money Advice team will be able to discuss your situation and what support is available.
You feel like you can’t cope
University can be a time of great change and you can sometimes feel like things are getting overwhelming. It may be that academic work has built up, it may be that you are struggling to balance university with employment or it could be any number of things. It is important to remember you are not alone.
There are plenty of departments who you can access for support and help during this time.
For example, if you are struggling to get on top of your academic work you may want to book an appointment with UniSkills to help organise and plan your assignments and workload.
If you are finding things overwhelming, you could benefit from speaking to the Wellbeing team regarding your feelings and discuss support options. It is helpful to speak to professionals regarding your feelings and general wellbeing. The Wellbeing team are here to help provide emotional and practical support for students and have great internal and external links to other avenues of support.
The team can help talk through your situation and discuss a support plan for next steps. Talking these things through with people can be helpful and can help you to make the most out of your university experience.
Uni life isn’t what you expected
If you feel that your time at university has not been what you expected, the first thing to do is to ask:
What were your expectations of university?
Why do you feel it has not met them?
Once that has been identified we can start to look at ways to support you. It may be that you want to look at services to help you engage with more social activities on campus. You may be looking for more ways to meet fellow students who have similar interests to you. We can help to point you in the right direction. You can book in for an initial appointment to discuss this with a member of the Student Support team.
You want to be closer to home
University can be an exciting time with a lot of change and new-found independence and responsibility. This may be your first experience of a new area, or new accommodation. Whilst this offers a great opportunity for personal growth and development it can also sometimes feel like a huge step that you aren’t ready for.
It is important to remember that everything you are feeling is completely natural and can be common during your time as a student. Inside Edge have a great article about an Edge Hill student who felt homesick and ways in which they looked for support and help.
One particular thing that the student found useful was contacting Campus Life and attending That Thursday Thing. That Thursday Thing is a great way to meet new people at the University and get connected with fellow students in an informal way.
Students without family support
Are you a care leaver, care experienced, estranged, or have experience of supported foyer accommodation? If so, there is a great deal of support available to you within Edge Hill University.
The Student Support team are the designated team for supporting care leaver, care experienced and estranged students. We recognise that starting a course at university and moving to a new place can be exciting, but also overwhelming. You may find you have a maze of information and procedures to deal with, that’s why the Student Support team are committed to offering you the extra support you might need throughout your studies.
Got a question or need support? Please get in touch with our Care Leaver support lead, Jo Ellmore: [email protected]
Useful definitions
Statutory Care Leavers
Young people aged 16-25 years old who have been ‘looked after’ for at least 13 weeks by a local authority at some point since they were 14 years old and were in care on or after their sixteenth birthday.
Care Experienced Students
A broader definition, encompassing all those who have spent time in care during childhood. Often young people will not be classed as care leavers because they left care (through, for example, adoption or returning to their family) before their sixteenth birthday.
Estranged Students
Independent students have no communicative relationship with either of their living biological parents and often their wider family networks as well. Often these students do not have the same legal protections as care leavers; local authorities have no statutory responsibility for their welfare. Student Finance define estranged students as being ‘irreconcilably estranged from their parents’.
Foyer Students (supported accommodation)
Students between the ages of 16-25 who have accessed Foyer or other Supported Housing Organisation due to homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless. The Local Housing Authority or Supported Housing Association may refer to these young people as ‘Foyer or Supported Housing Associations students’.
There is a range of support available to you at Edge Hill. Take a look at the links below for more information.
Financial Support
Care Leavers Bursary
If you are a UK care leaver student joining either a full-time or part-time programme (Undergraduate, Masters degree, MRes programme or MBA) at Edge Hill University and are aged under 25 at the start of your course, you may be eligible for a Care Leavers Bursary 2021/22 worth either £1,000 per academic year (£500 per annum for part-time students). Please check the Care Leavers Bursary Procedures and Regulations 2021/22.
Eligible students will need to provide evidence of a minimum of 13 weeks spent in Local Authority care since the age of 14 (usually in the form of a letter from the Local Authority/support organisation).
The bursary is also open to students who are living in Foyer/supported housing, providing you are under the age of 25 at the start of your course.
The bursary is paid six months after enrolment, directly into your account via Student Finance. For example, if you enrol in September 2020 you can expect a payment in February 2021 following successful completion of the application process.
If you are care experienced, but who may not meet some of the eligibility as outlined below, are encouraged to seek support from the Student Support team, who will work with you to assess your needs. You can also apply to the Student Support Fund through our Money Advice Team.
How to apply
Payment of the Care Leavers Bursary is made following successful completion of the application with our designated Care Leaver lead, Jo Ellmore.
Jo is on hand to support you with any questions you have. Please contact [email protected] for further information.
Additional financial support
Estranged students
Estranged students can access help through the Money Advice team to explore independent status with the Student Loans Company. The Student Support team can support you with this process and can connect you to our Money Advice Team who will provide you with further information about eligibility.
You can find out more via our Money Advice Team, Stand Alone and SFE for more information and details of how to apply.
If you’re struggling or need some guidance, the Student Support team can work with you to offer support. We’re here to help you to make the most of your time at University and complete your course successfully.
Students who are care leavers, care experienced, or estranged can also request a contract for a room in university halls of residence for 365 days a year for the three years of the degree course.
Moving into halls of residence and starting university is an exciting time, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming. If you are concerned about the move onto campus or transition into university, we are on hand to support you. The Student Support team can arrange a joined-up meeting with you and your Personal Advisor/Support Worker/supporter where we will be able to answer any questions you may have. Please get in touch with Jo Ellmore at [email protected]
Living off campus
If you don’t want to live in halls, we can also support you in your search for accommodation both during term time and the vacation period.
Our Accommodation team have a useful Off-Campus Accommodation Finder which lists available properties local to Edge Hill and the surrounding areas. Advice is also available if you are studying in Manchester at St James’. Please get in touch with the Accommodation team for further information and support.
Edge Hill are committed to supporting you from the beginning of your student journey; we offer dedicated and comprehensive support for all care leavers, care experienced, estranged and foyer students from pre-entry right through to graduation and beyond. We are committed to ensuring your experience at Edge Hill is a positive journey.
The Student Support team are on hand for support throughout your studies. If you are struggling or need to be put in touch with additional support from our Wellbeing or Money Advice teams, we will refer and help to connect your support.
We offer dedicated pre-entry support and guidance for applicants/those interested in studying at Edge Hill University, dedicated pastoral support from us in the Student Support team throughout your studies, and bespoke support from our Careers service for advice and guidance on maximising your employability and planning your next steps following graduation.
We know that for many starting University, (or returning to University after a pause), can present a lot of change and we’re on hand to help you with this transition. We believe that University is a transformational experience and we’re here to support you through your journey.
Getting in touch
To ensure that you receive the support you are entitled to during your time at Edge Hill, make sure you contact us. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we are offering a mixture of face to face and virtual appointments.
If you and/or your Personal Advisor/Support Worker/supporter would like to organise a meeting, or if you’d like to get in touch and make yourself known to the team, please simply the Care Leaver support lead, Jo Ellmore, at: [email protected]
here are so many different ways to connect with your community at Edge Hill, through social activities, societies, Facebook groups and more.
CARE
If you’re a care leaver or care experienced student, you can join our CARE (Care and Relevant Experience) Facebook Group, a supportive community just for you.
We celebrate and value the diversity of our staff and students and recognise that every individual brings an invaluable contribution to our community. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and welcoming environment for all our staff, students, visitors and those applying for employment or study and encourage a culture where equality is promoted, diversity is valued and the rights and dignity of all are respected.
You are not on your own
Some common issues that may arise during your studies
Unsure of how to inform staff of your chosen or affirmed name
Would like to know information on how to make a legal name change
Don’t know how to find support, or who to ask
Let someone know
You can speak to the Student Support team
Whatever is going on, the best thing you can do is speak to someone about your situation, your options and the support available. The Student Support team are available to discuss all avenues of support available and help signpost to internal and external services.
You can equally speak to:
The Wellbeing team
Your LGBTQ+ Student rep
LGBTQ+ Society
Academic team
Transitioning at University
You do not need to inform the university of your decision to transition whilst at University. We understand that transitioning is a deeply personal decision and you may not be ready to discuss this with anyone.
We equally are aware that this process can cause a lot of uncertainty and potentially call up complicated feelings. You may wish to engage with the counselling service to help support you during this process. It can be helpful to talk through the feelings that may arise during this journey.
For more information on how counselling may be helpful to you, and for information contact the Student Wellbeing team.
Your first contact point regarding what name appears on your student record is Kordel Dickinson. To begin that process all you need to do is contact Kordel via email at [email protected] to discuss your options, for example changing your name on your Unicard.
Important considerations
It is important to note that a preferred name is not a legal name change. That means that any legal documents, such as your graduation certificate would be printed using your legal name. To ensure that the correct name is used on a legal document you would need to process a legal name change via deed poll or by Statutory Declaration.
Some useful tips on how to do either a deed poll or a statutory declaration can be found on the Gendered Intelligence website.
For further details please refer to the information about this process in our Frequently Asked Questions or contact Kordel Dickinson via email at [email protected] for advice.
Getting involved
At Edge Hill there is a diverse range of communities and societies for you to engage with.
We have the Queer Activities society who work to create inclusive sessions tailored to each individual of the group.
Letting my tutors know of my chosen or affirmed name
You can speak to your personal tutor or academic staff regarding your chosen or affirmed name or alternatively you can use this change of name form to inform your academic staff.