Michelle Wakefield is a Student Success Officer and the dedicated contact for care experienced and estranged students at the University of Hertfordshire. She is passionate about creating a sense of belonging and ensuring every student has the support they need to succeed.
At the University of Hertfordshire (Herts), we aim to transform bold ambition into impactful achievements, ensuring our diverse community of students are equipped for success, and are ready to succeed and secure positive outcomes once they leave university. For our care leavers and care-experienced students, this means ensuring that practical, emotional, and financial support is embedded at every stage of their journey, right from application to graduation and beyond.
Just 14% of young people from a care background go to university, compared to 47% of their non-care-experienced peers[1]. Our dedicated support for care leaver students sits within the Widening Access and Student Success team, where we have supported 102 care leavers on their university journey over the last eight years.
At the heart of our offer is the dedicated contact for advice and guidance. Beyond this, we have a strong financial support package which includes a financial bursary, priority access to hardship funding, a graduation bursary (alongside a tailored appointment with a careers advisor to support life after university) and other financial funds for extra-curricular activity.
Additionally, we provide contextual admissions, access to an accommodation discount scheme year-round and wellbeing support. I have also collaborated with external teams who share our mission to ensure students from a care background have every chance to thrive. From Herts Sports Partnership, the charity Goods for Good, Help at Hand, and dedicated donors who provide extra opportunities like the Janice McNaughton Bursary, these collaborations all help to open even more doors to success.
This holistic package of support, honed and refined over time is often life changing. I have seen how it can make the difference between being able to afford essential study materials, participate in extracurricular activities, or simply manage everyday living costs with independence and confidence. In the 2024/25 academic year, this comprehensive support meant that 75% of our care leavers graduated with a Good Degree, a testament to the difference that targeted, holistic support can make.
The power of having someone in your corner is captured beautifully by one of our recent graduates, who has shared her experience:
“As a care-experienced student, I’ve received incredible support from the University of Hertfordshire’s Student Success Team, especially from Michelle Wakefield, the Student Success Officer for care-experienced students, and her manager, Rachel. From the very start of my university journey, Michelle has been by my side. She reached out to me on my first day welcoming me & introducing herself to me. Michelle continued to support me through resitting my second year and celebrated with me as I completed my degree with a First-Class Honours.
“During one of the most challenging times in my life, after being let down by my local authority, I became homeless, and it was Michelle and Rachel who immediately arranged emergency accommodation for me … They went above and beyond to make sure I was safe and supported, even when my own corporate parents and local authority did not help … Michelle has also been there whenever I’ve faced financial difficulties. She’s guided me through applying for hardship funds and other grants, often sending me opportunities herself to make sure I had the support I needed … When my mental health began to decline due to personal circumstances, Michelle referred me to the Student Wellbeing Team and ensured I received the right support. Michelle has truly witnessed me go through every emotion and she has supported me throughout it all. The care and dedication shown by Michelle and the Student Success Team have genuinely changed my life. They have consistently stepped in where others should have, and I will always be grateful for their kindness, compassion, and commitment to care-experienced students.
“The amount of support and consistency I’ve received from Michelle, and the team is truly incredible. Their genuine care and love for care-experienced people shine through in everything they do. Having someone who truly cares and never gives up on you means the world. They will forever be in my heart.”
Supporting those with experience of care is a shared responsibility. Day in and day out the team champions and advocates for them, ensuring their voices are heard and their ambitions realised. It is our privilege to play a role in their success.
[1] Enabling care-experienced and estranged students to access and thrive at university
https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/latest/insights-and-analysis/enabling-care-experienced-and-estranged#:~:text=Just%2015%25%20of%20young%20people,%2Dcare%2Dexperienced%20students).
