Estranged Students Solidarity Week

23 Nov 2020

This week is Estranged Students Solidarity Week, with the theme of being an ally to estranged students

The University is proud to be a part of the Stand Alone Pledge to show our commitment to supporting students who are studying without support of a family network. This is usually due to a long-term breakdown in the relationship with their parents or guardians.  Many students in this situation may not identify with the definition of “estranged”; it is likely to include groups who have no communicative relationship with their parents/guardians and this situation is not likely to change, they have been or are homeless or ‘sofa surfing’, they have experience of foster or local authority care but are not classed as a Care Leaver, both of their parents have passed away and they have no alternative family support in place. 

Mirroring the support already in place for care experienced students, estranged students have named contacts at the University. Hannah Armstrong and Ailsa Skelly from the central student support team have this role for both groups of students, alongside support from the Widening Participation team, with Sophie Flieshman remaining as the named contact for pre-entry care experienced and estranged students.

Hannah and Ailsa can support estranged students in a variety of ways. This can include:

Helping estranged students navigate and access University support services
Assessing students for their eligibility for the Undergraduate Access Scholarship
Helping students with accommodation and settling into university
Providing a listening ear and meeting with students on a 1:1 basis
Keeping students updated with news and opportunities

Students may self-identify as estranged to staff members they know well and feel comfortable with. If you are aware that a student is estranged from their family then please encourage them to get in contact with their named contacts so that they can offer them this support. Hannah and Ailsa can be reached on studentsupport@manchester.ac.uk. 

Stand Alone have produced a range of resources to support staff and students in being an ally to estranged students.

More information:

As part of our ongoing work, the Widening Participation team in conjunction with the central student support team will be offering training for staff in the near future around supporting care experienced and estranged students.