Birmingham City University (BCU) has teamed up with homelessness charity St Basils to explore the barriers that homeless young people face in accessing higher education and to identify steps needed to break down these obstacles.
Survey Reveals Alarming Statistics
The partnership comes after the National Student Accommodation Survey 2026 revealed that eight per cent of respondents experienced homelessness as a student. This figure has increased from seven per cent in both 2025 and 2024.
Podcast Launch Aims to Tackle Barriers
As part of its battle to address these challenges, BCU and St Basils have launched a podcast titled ‘Removing barriers to education for young people with lived experiences of homelessness’. The podcast features personal stories from young people who have faced homelessness while pursuing their education.
Sophie, 22, a member of the charity’s Youth Advisory Board, shared her experience on the podcast. She was forced to move college after becoming homeless at 17. “I was dealing with poor mental health and going into supported accommodation all while being a student,” she said. “There’s currently no support that is tailored for young people experiencing these challenges. It’s why having more opportunities to explain circumstances and early intervention is so important to encouraging young people to stay in education. Safety isn’t just a physical feeling. It’s having the strength to leave the house, go to college and keep hold of your aspirations.”
Twenty-four-year-old Tadi, also a member of the Youth Advisory Board, described being forced out of college after experiencing homelessness and struggling to return to education. “There needs to be more help to get people back into education after a break. We don’t just need a safe space, we need more practical options that are easy to discover. I want to choose how I am supported, not have a take or leave it approach that most systems seem to use.”
University’s Student-Centred Approach
Dr Melanie-Marie Haywood, dean of students, also appears on the podcast, discussing how the University is becoming more student-centred in its approach. “It’s easy to label support for students, but harder to engage them,” said Dr Haywood. “We find that students who have experienced homelessness or are currently estranged have a sense of pride and resiliency to solve problems on their own. An institution or system shouldn’t be barriers in themselves. So, we’re working with students and charities to create support packages, such as a new personal tutoring programme. BCU is setting the example. We want to help students feel empowered and model how higher education can provide support for their diverse student populations.”
Charity CEO Highlights Importance
Marsha Blake, chief executive of St Basils, said: “Members of our Youth Advisory Board have facilitated 25 podcast episodes as a way of sharing their experiences and learning. Having an opportunity to share their experiences with mainstream systems and learn from different perspectives is invaluable. For those who are responsible for these systems, it’s an opportunity to learn what works, what doesn’t and how to be more inclusive. We are hugely appreciative of BCU’s commitment and contributions in making this such a valuable learning experience for all involved.”
