SERC Granted Funding for New Carers Project

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) recently secured funding of £10,000 from Public Health NI, to implement a new project which will address the needs of 220 student carers across the college. These students provide many forms of care to family members, friends and loved ones, ranging from helping with everyday tasks to providing round-the-clock care for those with complex conditions.

In 2022, SERC conducted a survey of every student carer to understand the pressures they face, and to gather their thoughts on ways in which the college can help them balance work, education, and their caring responsibilities.

Statistics showed that more than 80% of respondents were dissatisfied with how they relax, 100% were dissatisfied with how often they get to relax, and more than 70% confirmed that opportunities to network with peers who are also carers would benefit them.

Engagement with student carers also highlighted that as a result of the pandemic, cost-of-living crisis, and subsequent restraints in carer support services, many student carers have been struggling under the increased strain of emotions and exhaustion. Evidently, this has added pressure to their relationships and caused their mental health to deteriorate, and many are struggling due to not having anyone to talk to.

As demonstrated by student feedback, the carers project will provide facilities, resources, and mental health and wellbeing aids to support the student carers, helping them to relax, reach their full potential and build peer support relationships.

The carers project will include the following aspects across all campuses:

• A quiet wellbeing space designed specifically for student carers to relax and meet with other carers, including access to massage chairs, weighted blankets, sensory relaxation tools such as light and sound therapy, and headphones and iPads to enable peaceful meditation
• Training for volunteers to become wellbeing instructors. Six- to 8-week programmes will be implemented for student carers, teaching them about wellbeing support and training methods to enjoy a positive work/life balance. The training will help student carers relax, develop strength and endurance, and find an outlet which will enable them to build resilience outside the college
• The development of an online peer support group tool for student carers, which will provide advice on services to support them
• The development of an online solution/support group for student carers to support their wellbeing and learn resilience coping techniques
• The creation of promotional items which will raise the awareness of student carers across the college community and encourage more carers to step forward
  

Kieran McKenna, Head of Collaboration and Transformation, commented, “We are delighted to have secured support from the Department of Health Carers Fund, which will make a tangible difference to the quality of life and learning of our student carers. The provision of focused wellbeing programmes and equipment, supporting student care and mental and physical health, are warmly welcomed and supported by the college.

“The project will support a number of positive outcomes including an enhanced provision of and access to practical support and help for carers; improved access and availability of advice services for student carers, including support available through new technologies; enhanced skills of carers to advocate for the needs of both themselves and the person they care for; improved physical and mental health of carers; an enhanced ability for carers to lead their own lives and lead a suitable work/life balance; and a raised awareness of the contribution of carers.”

If you are a current or newly enrolled student at SERC and would like to speak to someone about the student carers service, please contact Marie Jameson, Student Carer Co-ordinator, confidentially at studentcarers@serc.ac.uk to arrange a phone call, Microsoft Teams chat, or face to face meeting about how we can support you with your studies.