Welfare blog: Advice for care-experienced or estranged students over the winter vacation

If you are a care-experienced or estranged student, you may feel isolated or different because of your experiences at this time of year. It’s important to acknowledge those feelings and recognise that they are valid. The Christmas period may have been difficult in the past — sometimes connected to the circumstances that led to your estrangement or experiences of care.

However, it’s equally important to remember that these experiences do not have to define who you are now. By securing your place to study at Oxford and committing to your studies, you’ve already shown strength and determination to move beyond the challenges of the past and create new opportunities for yourself. 

Walking on frozen water in Port Meadow.

During this period, try to find small moments of care and comfort — whatever that looks like for you — and reach out to others when you can. If your estrangement means you miss out on wider family gatherings, especially when certain family members don’t support your situation, look for alternative ways to connect with people. For example, arranging to see supportive relatives or friends at another time, even briefly, can make a real difference. You can also find ways to stay connected with friends online over the vacation by making time for video calls. For care-experienced students, this time might mean spending the break with foster carers, kinship carers, or close friends. For some, having time alone can be an opportunity to recharge and catch up on work, but it’s equally important to find out what’s happening in your community here in Oxford in case you want to spend time with others.  

The focus on family at Christmas can sometimes feel stigmatising or if you’re a care-experienced or estranged student, make you feel as though you maybe don’t fit in. It’s important to try not to internalise those pressures or turn them into self-criticism. None of this is your fault. Practise self-compassion where possible — you deserve kindness and understanding, especially from yourself. 

Further support and resources

Over the vacation, Student Welfare and Support Services, including the University’s Counselling Service will be closed from Wednesday 24 December to Friday 2 January inclusive. 

During the closure period, you can still access support through: 

• Togetherall – free to access as a student, a platform full of courses, resources, and anonymous chats with others available 24/7, 365. 
• Samaritans – confidential listening support available every day of the year- call 116 123 
• Oxfordshire Safe Haven – free support for anyone experiencing mental health crisis, open every day of the year 

If you are in crisis: 

• Dial 999 or go to John Radcliffe Hospital's A&E, Headley Way, Headington OX3 9DU. Open 24/7. Contact: 0300 304 7777 or find your nearest A&E. 
• NHS Dial 111 and find where to get urgent NHS help for mental health. 
• Oxford University Security Services. Contact 01865 289 999. Open 24/7. 

Read more about vacation welfare support options. 

Read a blog from Becca Bland, founder of Standalone, about navigating the holidays as an estranged student.

Check out All of Us, a community for estranged and care experienced students in the UK.

The University is committed to supporting students from estranged or care-experienced backgrounds to thrive at Oxford. Support includes financial bursaries, help securing year-round accommodation, and specialised welfare support. Find out more on our further student support page.