Student Carers
If you're a carer, we are here to support you in any way we can - you might not even know you are a carer!
Emergency and crisis support
Urgent and emergency care - ☎ 999
Papyrus Hopeline247 - ☎ 0800 068 4141
Wellbeing support
Our resources page offers support and advice
Request wellbeing supportCarers Passport
A Carers Passport identifies you as a carer and allows you to request flexibility in your job or studies.
We'll work with you and your academic school to create a Carers Passport. Then, we can adjust your academic commitments as needed.
When applying for a Carers Passport, it's helpful to provide evidence of your caring responsibilities. This isn't a requirement, but it can improve your chances of getting your Carers Passport.
Evidence can include a letter from one of the following organisations stating that you're an unpaid carer:
- a GP
- a carers support organisation
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The team can also get a statement from you directly - please contact us for more information.
To discuss the support and adjustments we can offer you, please make an appointment with a Disability Advisor by emailing disabilityadvisor@ncl.ac.uk
We offer a range of support services to student carers, including:
- helping you build a supportive social network through our Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care service
- offering you support though our Counselling team and Disability teams
- helping you to access first-rate and accessible sporting experiences
- supporting you with budgeting and financial hardship via our Student Financial Support team
- providing you with free mindfulness and meditation sessions
- access to our Student Carers Group (in partnership with Northumbria University and Newcastle Carers) - where undergraduate and postgraduate students can meet in an informal yet informative space
- supporting you to link with local and national specialist carers' agencies
- SilverCloud - a suite of online CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) programmes that can be tailored to your specific needs
- our free iNCLude app, designed to help you take small steps to improve and maintain your wellbeing
- Postgraduate Support service - a free 24/7 service for all postgraduate taught (PGT) and postgraduate research (PGR) students
As a carer, you might find it hard to reach out and get help for yourself. But the sooner you can seek support, the better. This can help to ensure that caring doesn’t have a negative impact on your health and wellbeing and your university experience.
As well as support from the Student Health and Wellbeing teams, you might want to seek support from support groups.
Carers UK
Carers UK provides advice, information and support for carers. It can help you with emergency care planning, including the Emergency Carer Card, which can provide access to temporary care 24/7 where carer and designated care agency can't attend.
You're entitled to a carer's assessment through your local council.
Newcastle Carers
Newcastle Carers is an independent charity based in Newcastle. It provides information, advice and support to anyone who looks after a family member or friend who has an:
- illness
- disability
- mental health illness
- addiction
Newcastle Carers is funded to support carers of people living in Newcastle, though it also provides support to student carers if you can't access support where the person you look after lives.
If you, or someone you know, are currently caring for someone who couldn’t manage without support, you can contact Newcastle Carers:
Phone: 0191 275 5060 (Monday-Friday, 9:00-17:00)
Email: support@newcastlecarers.org.uk
Visit: Newcastle Carers website or pop in for a chat
Newcastle Carers can offer information, advice and support to you, including:
- one-to-one support via phone, email, text or in-person
- advocacy
- Carers Wellbeing Fund grants
- online support via the Newcastle Carers website
- peer support groups and activities
- training
- complementary therapies
- counselling
- signposting and referral to further support services
National Union of Students
The National Union of Students provides information and advice for those caring alongside studying.
The service was one of the most important bits of support I have received from the University.