Key Highlights
- The University of Greenwich has a significant number of care-experienced students.
- Amina’s journey from shyness to becoming a Student Ambassador and founding the BrightFutures Society highlights the impact of targeted support on student success.
- The initiative, Greenwich Cares, aims to empower care-experienced students in their Higher Education journeys.
- Amina received several recognitions for her contributions, including the GSU Student Ambassador Award and the BrightFutures Society’s Best New Society Award.
Empowering Care-Experienced Students: Amina’s Journey at Greenwich Cares
In September 2023, Amina, a care-experienced student at the University of Greenwich, walked into the Welcome Event with a sense of uncertainty. She represented one of the 14% of care-experienced students pursuing Higher Education compared to 47% of their peers by age 19.
Challenges and Support
The dropout rate among care-experienced students is three times higher than that of their peers, often due to overwhelming stress and anxiety. At Greenwich Cares, a dedicated team aims to provide targeted support to these students. One key aspect is the Student Ambassador program, which offers guaranteed interviews during the Autumn recruitment cycle.
The Role of Student Ambassadors
Once Amina secured her Student Ambassador contract in 2024, she began working closely with the Greenwich Cares team on various roles while maintaining academic excellence. Her contributions included participating in the Greenwich Friends Peer Mentoring scheme and assisting at a local homework club. She also managed administrative tasks, developed materials for staff, and co-created evaluation forms to enhance the student experience.
Transformative Growth
Amina’s role as a Student Ambassador opened her eyes to the community that had saved her life. Her personal and professional growth was evident through her continued commitment to support new students at Welcome Events and during Open Days. In 2024, she founded the BrightFutures Society, becoming its leader and launching podcasts that fostered belonging among care-experienced students.
Recognitions and Impact
In 2025, Amina received the GSU Student Ambassador Award for Outstanding Contribution to Societies. The BrightFutures Society was also honored with the GSU Best New Society Award. Additionally, she played a key role in establishing the first Liberation Chair for Care Experienced students at the University of Greenwich and facilitated a workshop at the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers.
Through initiatives like these, Amina exemplifies how targeted support can lead to transformative growth in confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging. Her journey highlights the critical role that university support services play in helping care-experienced students navigate their educational paths successfully.
