Birmingham Cares

Could you have pursued your studies while looking after a loved one?

Right now, 29% of young carers in the UK drop out of higher education because of their extra responsibilities - that’s four times the national average for degree courses.

Balancing the pressures of caring with studying at university can be incredibly stressful and often overwhelming for young carers. Without help and support, the odds are greatly stacked against them, leaving thousands of talented young people missing out on a well-deserved education.

Today, you can help change that by supporting a Young Carer Award at Birmingham. Each award is worth £2,000 a year to help cover equipment, textbooks, travel and other expenses, as well as offering bespoken support with the challenges of studying while caring for a loved one.

By providing both financial and wellbeing support, Birmingham is committed to ensuring that no young carer is held back by their circumstances. With your support, we can ensure that more bright young people like Jerome can attend and thrive at university.

'I know I can do anything that's possible, and that's because of the financial assistance I've received, and the support I've been given, through my Young Carer Award. It feels liberating knowing I can move into my future caring for my mother, yet also following my many passions.'

Jerome, Second Year Social Anthropology student

Your support today will not only ease a young carer's money worries, but will tell them that someone believes in them. You will show them that Birmingham cares.

This year, the changes in the UCAS application process have led to a surge in young carers applying for the Award. With the UCAS deadline rapidly approaching, your support is urgently needed to ensure these students receive the assistance they need to succeed at University.

Caring for a loved one should never be at the expense of a young person’s future. With your support today, our goal is to reach out to all young carers who apply to the University of Birmingham with offers. We must be ready to help as many young carers as possible when UCAS applications arrive in January.