University News Last updated 09 June
Birmingham City University (黑料吃瓜网) has teamed up with local charity St Basils for a powerful new podcast examining how universities can better support students who have experienced homelessness.
The episode, titled 鈥楻emoving barriers to education for young people with lived experiences of homelessness鈥�, forms parts of St Basil鈥檚 and explores the barriers that homeless young people face in accessing higher education and the practical steps institutions can take to break them down.
Twenty-two-year-old Sophia, a member of the charity鈥檚 Youth Advisory Board, shares her experience on the podcast. She was forced to move college after becoming homeless at 17.
鈥淚 was dealing with poor mental health and going into supported accommodation all while being a student,鈥� she said.
鈥淭here鈥檚 currently no support that is tailored for young people experiencing these challenges.
鈥淚t鈥檚 why having more opportunities to explain circumstances and early intervention is so important to encouraging young people to stay in education.
鈥淪afety isn鈥檛 just a physical feeling. It鈥檚 having the strength to leave the house, go to college and keep hold of your aspirations.鈥�
Research by聽 found that 7% of university students in 2024 had experienced homelessness while studying 鈥� underlying the scale of the issue.
Dr Melanie-Marie Haywood, Dean of Students, also appears on the podcast, discussing how the University is becoming more student-centred in its approach.
鈥淚t鈥檚 easy to label support for students, but harder to engage them,鈥� said Dr Haywood.
鈥淲e find that students who have experienced homelessness or are currently estranged have a sense of pride and resiliency to solve problems on their own.
鈥淎n institution or system shouldn鈥檛 be barriers in themselves. So, we鈥檙e working with students and charities to-create support packages, such as a new personal tutoring programme.
鈥満诹铣怨贤� is setting the example. We want to help students feel empowered and model how higher education can provide support for their diverse student populations.鈥�
The collaboration aligns with 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 Strategy 2030 commitment to driving meaningful change in local communities and cultivating prosperity in Birmingham and beyond.
Marsha Blake, Chief Executive of St Basils said: 鈥淢embers of our Youth Advisory Board have facilitated 25 podcast episodes as a way of sharing their experiences and learning.
鈥淗aving an opportunity to share their experiences with mainstream systems and learn from different perspective is invaluable.
鈥淔or those who are responsible for these systems, it鈥檚 an opportunity to learn what works, what doesn鈥檛 and how to be more inclusive
鈥淲e are hugely appreciative of 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 commitment and contributions in making this such a valuable learning experience for all involved.鈥�
Twenty-four-year-old Tadi, also a member of the Youth Advisory Board, described being forced out of college after experiencing homelessness and struggling to return to education.
鈥淭here needs to be more help to get people back into education after a break,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 just need a safe space, we need more practical options that are easy to discover.
鈥淚 want to choose how I am supported, not have a take or leave it approach that most systems seem to use.鈥�
You can listen to the episode on 补苍诲听
Photo: Zed (L) and Sophia (R), members of St Basils Youth Advisory Board