Bristol students are getting to celebrate their graduation in person again
In November 2022 the students who experienced some of the greatest disruptions to their studies (caused by COVID) will graduate from Bristol. Given the impacts of multiple lockdowns in the UK, it’s especially exciting to see this cohort of students come together to celebrate their dedication and hard work.
But for Bristol students who are either estranged from their families or are care experienced, graduation feels different. These students do not have the financial or emotional support of a traditional family network. They will have overcome more significant barriers than many other Bristol students to get into Bristol and complete their studies.
Care experienced and estranged students have previously told us they consider skipping their graduation experience as they can’t afford the costs of an overnight stay in Bristol with a loved one along with the costs of robe hire. While there are funds available from the University to help meet the costs of gown hire, we think these students deserve to celebrate just like any other student.
That’s where you come in
You can give a care experienced or estranged student the chance to fully immerse themselves in the Bristol graduation experience, including a night in Bristol with a celebratory dinner. You’ll also be giving these students a voucher to the Bristol SU shop so that they can purchase a Bristol keepsake to take with them on their next steps after Bristol. In short, you’ll be helping these students feel just like any other student and giving them the celebration that they so deserve on their graduation day.
Care leavers are underrepresented at university
12% of care leavers enroll at university by the age of 23, compared to 40% of the general population. The University has been working hard to increase the number of care experienced and estranged students studying, and in turn thriving, at Bristol. Here in the Student Inclusion Team, we are committed to doing all that we can to ensure these students get the most out of all the opportunities that Bristol has to offer – this includes graduation.
Costs
We currently have 30 care experienced or estranged students due to graduate in November. Each graduation gift costs £250 to put together. This can be broken down as follows:
Bristol SU Shop Voucher - £50 X 30 = £1,500
Robe Hire - £45 X 30 = £1,350 (University funds have already been secured for this).
Meal Voucher - £55 X 30 = £1,650
Accommodation per night = £100 X 30 = £3,000
Sundry costs - £100 X 1 = £100
Total cost £7,600
