Small steps, shared stories, stronger community - Celebrating Our Student Carers

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Across the UK, thousands of students are caring for someone at home - yet data shows they remain one of the most invisible and underserved groups in higher education. Nearly one in twenty applicants now enters university with caring responsibilities, but acceptance rates have fallen sharply, the academic impact is profound and almost half consider leaving their course altogether. Caring doesn’t stop when university starts.

But increasing awareness creates a powerful opportunity: for universities to design systems, cultures and support structures that genuinely reflect the realities of student carers and give them every chance to succeed.

Against this backdrop, we’re delighted to share that the RHUL Staff Parents & Carers Network is teaming up with the Students’ Union Parents & Carers Student Community to host a special Student Carer Wellbeing Event on Thursday 4 June 2026 at 10am. This collaborative effort brings together students, colleagues, wellbeing specialists and local partners to shine a spotlight on the experiences of student carers and student parents, and to create space for connection, reflection and wellbeing across our community.

Why this event matters

Student carers and student parents often balance multiple responsibilities, pressures and identities, and many do so quietly, without always being visible in everyday university life. This event aims to:

• Highlight lived experiences of student carers and parents.
• Promote wellbeing and mental health.
• Build connection between colleagues and students with caring responsibilities.
• Create an inclusive, supportive campus activity open to all.
• Offer a visible, accessible and welcoming way to engage with wellbeing on campus.

A community-wide collaboration

The event has been shaped through contributions across our RHUL community, reflecting a shared commitment to supporting student and staff carers. This collective effort highlights the power of working together to create environments where carers feel seen, supported and connected.

What to expect

The event combines short talks, a gentle campus walk and an optional social moment afterwards offering multiple ways to take part based on individual preference and comfort.

Programme:

• Opening remarks – Nick Barratt, Senior RHUL Parents & Carers Sponsor.
• Guest speaker – Katherine Allen (Campus to Campus).
• Student voice – Jude Curtis, Parents & Carers Community Officer, Students’ Union.

We are also pleased to welcome colleagues from Royal Holloway’s Wellbeing Team, the Health & Lifestyle Team, Action for Carers (Surrey) and colleagues and students from across our community.

Following the talks we’ll take a 25-minute inclusive campus walk, designed to be gentle, accessible and social. For those who prefer not to walk, a stay and social option with light wellbeing activities will be available.

We’ll close with refreshments (and hopefully ice cream). 

To confirm your attendance, please sign up via this form.