We are Strath Union, your Students’ Union - the beating heart of activity for students on Strathclyde campus since 1964.
About Us
We run events year-round where you can let loose, let go, just throw a couple shapes and put your skills on show.
Events
We provide free and confidential advice for students, covering academic support, wellbeing and more.
Advice
University is all about finding friends, finding community, and finding yourself.
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Sports Union
We exist to represent all students at the University of Strathclyde. We make sure your voice is heard across the University and beyond.
Voice
Enhance your CV, develop skills, find a part-time job and get more involved with your local community.
Opportunities
The Union is a great place to meet friends, study, grab lunch or take a break. Have a look and discover our variety of venues.
Food & Drink
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Learn about what an estranged or care experienced student is and what support the Union offers to these groups of students.
The term “care experienced” refers to anyone who has been, or is currently in care. This care may have been provided in many different settings, such as:
The University of Strathclyde was the first educational institution in Scotland to sign up as an 'official friend' of Who Cares? Scotland. As an advocate for care experienced students, the University has developed Strath Cares, a page dedicated to offering help and support to care experienced students throughout their learning journey.
This policy passed at Student Parliament and replaced the previous policy titled USSA supporting Who Cares? Scotland.
View policy
The Care Experienced and Estranged Students Society (CE/E Society) was set up to merge two previously small societies, ESoS and the CE Society, into one cohesive network of support, opportunities, and social events. Learn more about the CE/E Society, or become a member on their society page. If you wish to contribute to the further development of this society, please get in contact with the current committee.
CE/E Society
The Care Leavers’ Foundation Trust Fund exists to provide young people who have been in care with opportunities and ‘second chances’. It aims to enhance the life chances of care leavers and reduce their experience of social exclusion. Cash grants will be made where the applicant meets the criteria set out in the framework and funds are available to meet the request.
Grant applications will be accepted from care leavers aged 18 – 29, although strong preference is given to those age 21 and over. The maximum single award is currently £400.00 and there will be a maximum limit of £400.00 in a twelve month period payable to any individual, whether in stage payments or as a result of separate applications.
View framework
Estranged students are those who are studying without the support and/or approval of their family network, due to a breakdown in relationships. This might be their biological, step or adoptive parents, or wider family members, who have been involved in their care.
The University of Strathclyde was the first university in Scotland to sign the Pledge to Stand Alone, a charity that supports adults who are estranged from their families. As an advocate of estranged students, the University offers a range of help and support opportunities for any students who identify as estranged.
Find out more
In November 2021 we became the first Student Union to sign the Manifesto for Change. Read more about the manifesto and our relationship with Stand Alone.
Stand Alone pledge
They are a peer support network and a platform by and for students who are estranged, care experienced, care leavers, orphaned and at risk of/wishing to become estranged. They also seek to raise awareness of CE/E existence and to encourage colleges/universities, governing bodies, widening access programmes and schools to up their support. Their project covers the UK and Ireland.
Their mission is to provide a central space that signposts support and guidance that is accessible to the CE/E community in all areas of their lives, with a particular focus on supporting access to further and higher education.
Their network grew out of an Instagram community set up back in 2017 by estranged, orphaned, refugee and care-experienced students and graduates to help fill in the gap in support for students like them. Then they created the EaCES Handbook during the first COVID-19 lockdown in June 2020.
Twitter
Instagram
This virtual guide is written by over 40 estranged and care experienced students - as well as those from orphaned, refugee and kinship-care - to bring together information and advice to help other students from the same background: including official support, their own experiences, and practical tips. The Handbook is designed to support students like them pre-entry, throughout their time in education/apprenticeships and post-graduation.
View handbook
They also have a page with ways to support the community through the festive period and holidays and a pen pal exchange which you can sign up for.
Learn about support
Pen pal exchange
Since 2020 we have celebrated Estranged Student Solidarity Week and Care Experienced Week respectively. These weeks help us not only reach out to current CE/E students, but also help to highlight and demystify the experiences of CE/E students in order to increase understanding, and ultimately, to enact change.