Are you a carer?
Do you spend time looking after or helping a friend, partner or family member due to illness, disability, frailty or addiction? The care you provide may be personal, practical, emotional or supervisory and is unpaid. If this applies to you then you are a carer.
Trying to fit studying around your caring responsibilities, not to mention work and other commitments, can be challenging. Below are our top ten tips for student carers to help you make the most of your university experience.
1. Get some support with settling in. Register your caring responsibilities with our Student Carer Advisers to receive regular email newsletters with information about relevant services, opportunities and events. For more information and to register for additional support, please email guidance@shu.ac.uk
2. Don’t feel alone. This year we will be running some Carers’ café events in association with local carers’ services and The University of Sheffield. These events are opportunities to have a cuppa and socialise with other carers. You can share experiences, talk to staff about the support you’re eligible for and discover ways to balance university and home life. Our first event is at the Theatre Deli on The Moor on Thursday 22 October, 4pm – 6pm.
3. Know what to do if something unexpected happens. If there is a profound change in the condition of the person you care for, your university life can be seriously disrupted and you may have to ask for some help. Our blog page for carers has information about who you can talk to about your caring responsibilities and what to do if something unexpected happens.
4. Visit your local carers’ service. They are not only a great source of information and advice but they also hold carers’ events such as coffee mornings and massage days which can help you meet other carers and relax. Find your nearest carers service here.
5. Get to know other useful organisations. You can find a list of useful local organisations in our “Students who are carers” leaflet, which you can view and download on our blog.
6. Look after your health. If you’re looking after someone, look after yourself too. You matter just as much as the person you care for. Eat properly, try to get some exercise when you can, and make sure you get regular check-ups from your doctor. As a student here you can register at the University Medical Centre on Surrey Level 1.
7. Look after yourself emotionally. Caring is hard, and many carers can feel depressed or anxious. If you are finding things tough you can always talk to someone from the University’s Student Wellbeing Service. Student Wellbeing offers specialist counselling, mental health and faith advice to all students, as well as self-help resources, guided self-help, tips for looking after yourself, workshops, 1-1 appointments and e-counselling.
8. Find out more about financial support. Caring for someone can involve additional costs which can be hard to manage if you are a student. As a carer, you are also eligible to apply for Sheffield Hallam University’s Student Support Fund. This fund is set up to help students who have additional or unexpected expenses which interfere with their ability to continue their studies. Strict criteria apply and you will need to evidence that you are a carer on your application. Find out more about this online, by visiting the Student Services Centres or by speaking to our Student Carer Advisers.
9. Take advantage of flexible work opportunities. As a student with caring responsibilities you might not be able to work as much as you would like, so look out for flexible on campus jobs which can fit around your other commitments. Register with the University Campus Jobs service to search for casual and part time roles. You can also call into the Careers and Employability Centre at City Campus or the Student Services Centre at Collegiate Campus for advice on finding local part time work.
10. Keep doing what you love. Being a student and a carer can be hectic, but remember to take a little time out to keep doing the things you love, whether that’s reading, gardening or jogging, looking at art, anything that makes you happy! University societies are a fantastic way to meet new people and get involved in an activity you love or to even try something completely new and develop new skills. See https://www.hallamstudentsunion.com/get_involved/societies/ for a full list of you can join from tea drinking to parachuting, drama to cheerleading – something for everyone.
For more information about support for student carers at Sheffield Hallam University contact our Student Carer Advisers at your nearest Student Services Centre
Student Services Centres
Level 5, Owen Building, City Campus (0114 225 3813)
Level 0, Heart of the Campus, Collegiate Crescent (0114 225 2491)
Email guidance@shu.ac.uk