The Home Comforts project has been set up to help care-experienced students, in particular, first-years, who have no parental or wider family support, or homes to return to over the Christmas period and beyond. These students face issues such as isolation and loneliness, financial hardship, lack of study space or IT equipment, and limited access to support services.

We're working collaboratively with leaving-care teams, universities and fostering services, the project links students with local foster families who provided support including delivering shopping during lockdown, socially distanced walks and chats, phone calls, and cards sent to mark special occasions. The Home Comforts students are also able to act as informal role models for the children in care within the foster families.

Duration: Ongoing

Partners: Brighton & Hove Leaving Care Team, the University of Sussex, Brighton & Hove Fostering Services

Funding source: Uni Connect

SLN contact: Debra Vice-Holt

Back to projects