Arden Cares is a dedicated support service for students in the UK who have experience of being in care, including those who have spent time in foster care or residential care, or who identify as care leavers.
We’re here to help you feel supported, build on your strengths, and make the most of your time at Arden, whether you’re starting your journey with us or already studying.
We understand that every student comes to university with different experiences, responsibilities, and challenges. Arden Cares is here to make sure you always have somewhere to turn for guidance, encouragement, and personalised support throughout your time with us.
Who Arden Cares supports
Arden Cares is here for:
- Care-experienced students.
- Care leaver students.
You may be considered care-experienced if you have:
- Spent any time in care or been supported by children’s services at any point in your life.
- Experienced foster care, residential care, or kinship care (living with relatives or family friends)
- Been adopted after time in care.
- Cost of Living Portal
You may be considered a care leaver if:
- You were in care on or after your 14th birthday, and
- You are currently aged 16–25.
If you’re unsure whether you have care leaver status, you can check with your leaving care team or personal adviser, or visit the Am I a care leaver? - Coram Voice website for further guidance.
Not sure if Arden Cares is for you?
That is completely okay. Many students are not certain whether they are considered care-experienced or a care leaver.
If you think this might apply to you, we encourage you to get in touch. We will talk things through confidentially and without judgement and help you understand what support is available. You’re very welcome to get in touch at ardencares@arden.ac.uk.
What support does Arden Cares offer?
Students registered with Arden Cares can access a range of tailored support, which may include:
- A named point of contact for advice, guidance, or simply someone to listen.
- Support with accessing wellbeing, disability, or mental health services.
- One-to-one support with settling into university, study skills, wellbeing, or financial guidance.
- Exclusive events and peer networks to connect with other care-experienced and care leaver students.
- Mentoring, careers support, and internship opportunities to help you prepare for your future.
Support is flexible and can change over time — we will work with you to make sure it continues to meet your needs.
Financial support
Students registered with Arden Cares may also be eligible for additional financial support, including the Care-Experienced Bursary for eligible UK undergraduate students.
Get in touch with Arden Cares
To find out more about Arden Cares or to register for support, please contact our Care-Experienced and Care Leaver Support Team:
You belong at Arden, and we are here to make sure you feel supported, connected, and ready to thrive.
Meet your named contact.
Emma Vance – Wellbeing Advisor
Emma is the named contact for Arden Cares and is passionate about ensuring that care-experienced and care leaver students feel supported throughout their journey at Arden University.
She works closely with students to make sure the right support is in place at the right time, offering guidance, a listening ear, and advocacy where needed. Emma believes that care-experienced students should be supported to thrive, not just survive and is committed to walking alongside you throughout your time at Arden.
Emma Vance
Additional support
You may also be able to access support outside the University, including:
- Student Finance England (SFE) – guidance for independent students, including how circumstances are assessed, evidence requirements, and information on estrangement.
- Buttle UK – financial support and resources for care-experienced students
- Transport for London (TfL) – Care Leaver Concessions (ages 18–25)
- Become – a charity for children in care and young care leavers, offering advice and a dedicated support line.
- Become - Care Advice Service - Become - Become helps care-experienced young people get support, advice, and opportunities so they can succeed—especially in education and adult life.
- Buttle - Buttle - For what matters in childhood - Buttle UK is a UK charity that helps children and young people in crisis or severe poverty
- Coram Voice - Home - Coram Voice Coram Voice helps care-experienced young people understand their rights and makes sure their voices are heard in decisions about their lives.
- Care Leavers Covenant - Care Leavers Wanted - Care Leaver Covenant - The Care Leaver Covenant is a UK initiative that connects care leavers with opportunities such as jobs, training, and support from employers and organisations to help them succeed in adult life
- Helena Kennedy Foundation - https://www.hkf.org.uk/ - The Helena Kennedy Foundation is a UK charity that helps disadvantaged students move from college into university and then into careers.
- The Rees Foundation - Rees Foundation - The Rees Foundation | Life-long support for care leavers – The Rees Foundation is a UK charity focused on supporting people who are care-experienced people or care leavers.
- Transport for London - 18-25 Care Leaver Oyster photocard - Transport for London If you're 18 to 25 and a care leaver living in a London borough, you can get discounted travel with an 18-25 Care Leaver Bus & Tram Discount Oyster photocard.
- Find out your local authority care leaver offer here - Care Leaver Local Offer :: Home