Care Leavers Bursaries

Shekira, BSc Adult Nursing

"I was in care for about a year when I was about 1 year old, and then I was adopted with my two biological sisters when I was 2 into a very big family. I stayed in that family for about 14 years but for reasons out of my control the adoption broke down and we all ended up back into care when I was 16.

Because I was a bit older, I was out into semi-independence, and was left to support myself. In my adopted family I was always encouraged to go to university but now that I no longer had their support, I didn't think it was possible. Without KU Cares, I would have struggled to go to university.

Kingston was one of the few universities to offer such a supportive package for care leavers and I don't think I would have gone to university if it wasn't for Kingston's KU Cares fund. I am now in my second year of adult nursing and loving it!

The year-round accommodation is one of the best aspects of the support. Being in care, you move around so much and are always packing up your things in bin bags, so it's great to be able to have somewhere that you know you can stay in all year round. You feel more settled when you know you don't have to pack up your things to move somewhere for a few months and then pack up your things again to move back, and this is helping me focus on my studies.

I also really love the fact that they have a graduation package where they give you gown and cap hire for free, a photography package and two free graduation tickets. This is really encouraging and as it is a cost a parent might usually cover - it feels nice that they want to support you in celebrating the achievement."