Guest blog: Harnessing employability skills – a student success story: the Greenwich Cares Student Ambassadors Initiative
Monika Varga is a Care Leaver Adviser with the Greenwich Cares team at the University of Greenwich. The University of Greenwich has one of the largest groups of care experienced students in the country, welcoming around 100 new starters in 2024/25 and on track to reach similar numbers this year.
While on my way to work, I overheard a lively conversation between two friends. One of them was sharing exciting news about the work experience she had secured through her father, explaining how this opportunity would open doors for her career in media with invaluable hands-on experience.
Sadly, not all young people have access to such parental support. Many care experienced young people face additional challenges, often feeling isolated while navigating their educational paths to build successful careers and futures
Greenwich Cares is a dedicated team of professionals who strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of care experienced students in their journey into and through Higher Education. Our commitment is to empower these students to fulfil their potential.
As we celebrate National Care Leavers Month this November, I want to share the inspiring story of one of our care leavers, to encourage other students to engage with university support services and to motivate professionals to assist young people in realising their ambitions.
When ‘Amina’ (not her real name) walked into our Welcome Event in September 2023, she appeared rather shy and unsure. She is among the 14% of care experienced students pursuing Higher Education, compared to 47% of their peers by age 19. It’s important to acknowledge that once in Higher Education, care leavers can face daunting challenges, with a dropout rate three times higher than that of their peers, often due to overwhelming stress and anxiety throughout their academic journey.
However, Amina’s story illustrates the power of student engagement with targeted support, and her transformation after joining the Greenwich Cares Student Ambassador team has been remarkable.
At Greenwich Cares, we actively encourage our students to apply for the role of Student Ambassador. We offer guaranteed interviews during the Autumn recruitment cycle along with ‘ring-fenced’ recruitment for these students in the Spring term. Once they secure their Student Ambassador contracts, they can work closely with the Greenwich Cares team in various roles.
While maintaining her academic excellence and staying on track for a first-class degree, Amina has embraced these opportunities, continually going above and beyond her role. She has participated in the Greenwich Friends Peer Mentoring scheme, supporting new students, and has assisted at a local homework club supporting children in care. Her contributions also include managing important administrative tasks, developing materials for staff, and co-creating evaluation forms to enhance the student experience. As a Greenwich Cares Student Ambassador, she plays a crucial role in welcoming new students at the Welcome Event and providing one-to-one support during Open Days.
“Working as a Greenwich Cares Student Ambassador opened my eyes to my community. It allowed me to connect to a community that saved my life and gave me the opportunity to grow personally and professionally.” – Amina, October 2025.
In 2024, Amina founded the BrightFutures Society, the first Greenwich Student Union (GSU) Society dedicated to care experienced and estranged students. As its leader, she has created an inclusive community and collaborated with committee members to launch podcasts that foster belonging and reach a national audience.
In 2025, Amina received the GSU Student Ambassador Award for Outstanding Contribution to Societies, and the BrightFutures Society won the GSU Best New Society Award. She also played a key role in establishing the first Liberation Chair for Care Experienced students at the University of Greenwich and was invited to facilitate a workshop at the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers in November 2025, highlighting her commitment to making a difference.
Through initiatives like these, we’ve seen transformative growth in confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging for our Student Ambassadors, whilst helping to alleviate their financial worries during their studies. Not only do our students acquire invaluable employability skills but they also amplify their voices within our community. We believe that this support helps students in their career planning and provides the additional assistance they may need to thrive at and beyond university.
