Ruby Robinson, SHU Care Leavers Contact

Ruby is a Senior Transitions Officer at Sheffield Hallam University and is the named contact for students who have come to study from foster care.

Often, students tell us that enrolling at university is a fresh start. It’s a chance to make a life for yourself and make your own choices. For care leavers, that story is no different and can be even more pertinent for those who have had many important decisions in their lives such as who they will live with, made on their behalf.

Many students often tell us that they feel that their experiences of the care system have made them more independent and able to cope well with university life, compared with some of their peers. However there are some things about the university experience for care leavers that may differ from the experiences of others.

That is why I am here to help.

Maybe a student from care will need to stay in Sheffield during the holidays or they might need to spend time liaising with their local authority. Sometimes care leavers may find it difficult to look after their own needs and wellbeing if they don’t have a strong support network, or may even have other additional commitments like caring for children or relatives.

Whatever the situation, I am always delighted to meet students and listen to their thoughts and experiences, and I am really proud of the supportive and welcoming environment that we offer here at Hallam. University is the perfect time to decide how you want your future to be and we are here to make sure this happens for all of our students, no matter where they have come from in life.