Accessing and Sustaining Higher Education

This month, former and current residents will discuss access to higher education. Currently, just 6 per cent of care leavers aged 19-21 go into higher education, and those that do are nearly twice as likely to drop out as their peers. At Centrepoint, almost 40% of the young people we support are care leavers, but all of the young people we support will experience some barriers to accessing higher education whether that be financial, educational, social, mental or a combination.A recent survey by Nationwide shows that two-thirds of students are struggling to pay bills or have fallen behind on their rent, prompting growing numbers to borrow money or use overdrafts as the fear of homelessness rises.Not only that, but nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) have had to borrow money from family members to pay for essentials such as food and rent in the past year, while four in 10 have relied on their overdrafts to cover these outgoings.More than one in five (22 per cent) said they knew someone who had become homeless in the past year due to financial difficulties, while one in seven worry about becoming homeless themselves.What more can be done to support young people like those that we support access and sustain higher education? In a cost-of-living crisis, this discussion is more pertinent than ever.Former resident and Centrepoint Trustee, Darren Douglas, talks to Centrepoint service users, Nadi and Noor. Nadi is just about to start university and Noor is just about to graduate. They discuss tips and tricks, mental health, support and other ways to get the most out of your university experience.