Students with caring responsibilities

What does a Caring Role look like?

Caring responsibilities can take many different forms, and every student’s situation is unique. You might be:

• Providing ongoing support for someone with a long term illness or disability
• Offering short term help to someone recovering from an injury or sudden change in health

No matter what your caring role involves, you’re not expected to manage everything on your own. The University is here to support you as you balance your studies with your responsibilities, and to help you feel confident and connected throughout your time with us.

Are you a Young Adult Carer?

If you’re aged 16–25 and regularly care for a family member, partner, or friend, you’re considered a young adult carer. Taking on this role can be a big responsibility, and it’s important to know that support is available.

Alongside the help offered here at the University, there are also excellent external organisations that provide guidance, advice, and community for young adult carers — including the Carers Trust and The Children’s Society.

Support on offer at the University

While you are caring for someone, you may be entitled to additional support to help you manage your studies. This can include academic flexibility, access to wellbeing services, and guidance around financial matters.

If you’d like to talk through the support available, you can contact the Wellbeing team directly. Your Personal Tutor can also help by referring you to the Wellbeing Service if that feels easier for you.

Financial advice

If you’re a student carer and experiencing financial pressures, our dedicated Student Advice team is here to help. They can offer guidance on Student Finance England funding, explore alternative funding options with you, share practical budgeting tips, and advise on accessing relevant hardship funds at the University.

For more information about the support available, please visit our Student Advice page.

Study support

If you need help with your academic work, you can reach out to your Personal Tutor, module leaders, or supervisors. They’re there to listen, understand your situation, and talk through any challenges you may be facing.

If your caring responsibilities mean you’ve missed classes or fallen behind, your Personal Tutor can work with you to find a way to catch up or offer guidance on how to stay on track. You’re also welcome to discuss your circumstances with individual module leaders, supervisors, or any member of staff you feel comfortable approaching.

If you ever find it difficult to ask for support, the Student Centre is a good place to start. They’ll make sure you’re connected with the right people and the right help.

Looking after your wellbeing

Our Student Wellbeing team is here to help you look after your physical, mental, and emotional health throughout your time at Westminster. They offer confidential advice, guidance, and specialist support, all delivered by trained and experienced staff who want to make sure your university experience is as positive and fulfilling as possible.

To find out how to access these services, please visit our Student Wellbeing page.

Access to Counselling

You have access to trained counsellors and mental health advisers who can offer a safe, confidential space to talk about whatever is affecting you — whether that’s difficulty studying, low mood, concentration issues, relationship challenges, or coping with loss.

To learn more about the support available, please visit our Counselling and Mental Health Service page.

Other sources of help

• Carers UK
• Carers Network