Children’s
University all
aboard the zoo bus
Y
OUNGSTERS
FROM
Queen Margaret Children’s
University came face to face
with a range of fascinating wildlife
in QMU’s University Square in June.
The children, aged five to 14, who are
part of QMU’s widening access learning
initiative, benefited from wildlife sessions on
board ‘The Wild About Scotland’ zoo bus.
The bespoke double decker bus, run by the
Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS),
offered an entertaining programme of wildlife
education which aims to inspire young people
and encourages them to appreciate and respect
wildlife and the environment.
Queen Margaret Children’s University was
delighted to host the zoo bus, and grateful for
the opportunity to inspire children to connect
with nature on their own doorstep. ❒
Making a
commitment to
student carers
D
URING NATIONAL CARERS Week,
QMU made a pledge to young
carers which will help support
them during their studies at university
and improve their lives chances.
In Scotland alone, it is estimated that there are at
least 759,000 carers aged 16 and over and 29,000
young carers.
Irene Hynd, University Secretary at QMU, said: “Three
out of five of us will become carers at some stage in
our lives and 1 in 10 of us is already fulfilling some sort
of caring role. Students with caring responsibilities
can experience hurdles and barriers when juggling
their caring role with academic work.”
Irene continued: “QMU is committed to widening
access for students and we are therefore pleased
to partner with Carers Trust Scotland to develop a
Student Carers’ Support policy. This will help to ensure
that students with caring responsibilities are given the
support they need to reach their potential, no matter
what their circumstances are.”
L-R Irene Hynd QMU, Aileen Campbell; Public Health Minister,
Paul Traynor, Carers Trust Scotland
Paul Traynor, from Carers Trust Scotland, said:
“Young adult carers are four times more likely to drop
out of college or university than students who are not
young adult carers. Carers who have the opportunity
and ability to go to university should not be negatively
impacted because of their caring responsibilities. Our
‘Going Higher for Student Carers’ campaign wants
to see student carers being put at the forefront of the
higher education agenda in Scotland.
“QMU’s new Student Carers’ Support policy has
the potential to positively impact the lives of current
and future student carers at QMU; ensuring they are
supported to have a fairer chance to be successful
in their higher education studies.”
Public Health Minister, Aileen Campbell, joined Irene,
Paul and some student carers at QMU to launch to
new policy. ❒
6
QMYOU / Community Engagement & Widening Access