Supporting You

Your physical and mental wellbeing are very important and can affect your learning. Should you ever need to talk to someone confidentially about personal or emotional concerns, our Student Advice, based in The Hub, are here to help.

The team can offer support and advice on a number of areas, some of these areas are:

• Well-being
• Mental Health
• Sexual health
• Drugs and alcohol
• Sexuality and identity
• Healthy Relationships
• Housing
• Safeguarding yourself and others whilst at CRC
• Bullying
• And being a Young Adult Carer or young parent
• Free Sanitary products for 14-19-year olds
• C-Card Scheme- free condoms, lube and chlamydia screening for students up to 24-year old

Mental Health

CRC is working with the Association of Colleges to pledge our commitment to the mental wellbeing of staff and students by signing up to the AOC Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter, created by the Association of Colleges, in conjunction with FE colleges and mental health experts.

Young Adult Carers

Cambridge Regional College is committed to supporting Young Adult Carers to access education.

A Young Adult Carer is someone aged between 16-24 who cares, unpaid, for someone who may be chronically ill, disabled, have a mental health condition or an addiction. The care is disproportionate/inappropriate for the young person’s age or abilities. The cared for person doesn’t need to be a family member or even live with the Young Adult Carer.

Young Adult Carers do not always recognise or disclose that they have caring responsibilities, therefore it is essential that the College has processes in place to identify those students who are Young Adult Carers at the earliest stage.

The College aims to ensure all students who are Young Adult Carers are offered bespoke support with our Young Adult Carers Lead to improve their experience and success whilst at College. The College understands that, due to their additional responsibilities, Young Adult Carers may need certain allowances or adjustments to be made to feel supported, improve student experience at college and enable Young Adult Carers to be successful during their time at Cambridge Regional College.

Students can access the Young Adult Carer Lead, Jenna, by visiting the Hub or emailing

Cambridge Regional College work in partnership with specialist Young Adult Carers organisations and are proud to have achieved the Quality Standard in Carer Support with Carers Federation and the Carer Friendly Tick Award with Caring Together.

Support for Young Adult Carers at Cambridge Regional College

We will…

• Always listen
• Always attempt to offer support to every identified Young Adult Carer
• Provide a named Young Adult Carers Lead that will provide support
• Take any concerns or worries seriously
• Provide a bespoke support plan and Young Adult Carers Exemption Card
• Work closely with curriculum departments to ensure that all support is accessible
• Review support plans with Young Adult Carers if adjustments need to be made
• Take additional responsibilities into account when looking at any disciplinaries or funding Young Adult Carers may receive
• Work closely with any external support agencies to ensure that support is consistent

Student Testimonial

‘‘Overall, I really value the support I receive from college, I feel listened to and respected, the college does a really good job of supporting me to achieve my goals, I appreciate the support services so much.’’

Quality Standard in Carer Support – Carers Federation

“CRC has embedded understanding and awareness of YACs across college, from SLT and Governors to wider college teams as well as students through training and resources.”

Carer Friendly Tick Award – Caring Together

Young parents 

Being a parent means that you have an extra responsibility alongside you studying which will impact both how much time you have available and your financial situation. However, there are ways that you can receive extra support to help you manage whilst you are in college.

Cambridge Regional College may be able to provide you with financial support to make college affordable including providing funding for childcare. See our financial support page.

If you are finding looking after a child quite challenging, isolating or finding other issues developing over time such as relationships difficulty or homelessness, then you can talk an advisor. We work closely with other support services who help young parents, we can help you access these services should you need to.

Free Sanitary Products

Students can access free period products in the HUB, from staff rooms and selected bathrooms around the college. We offer both single use and reusable products to students aged 14-19 in line with the DFE’s Period Products Scheme. The Student Advisors also run regular pop-up stands across campus to raise awareness and allow further access to the products. Those in need of products are encouraged to help themselves.

C-Card Scheme

Students up to 24 years old can sign up to the C-Card Scheme to access free condoms, lube and chlamydia screening. This scheme is run by the Terrance Higgins Trust, more information can be found here. Terrance Higgins Trust and the Student Advice Team also run regular pop-up stands outside the HUB.