A peer-led community for student-parents, “mature-mature” students, carers of elderly family, post-docs, and ECRs.
PAFS was invited to participate in a research project exploring the experiences of student parents as researchers. Funded by RLI and research led by Dr Tamara Al-Khalili, the retreat in Dartmoor, took place in nature and invited participants to reflect on their experiences. Facilitated through expert Rosanna Elliot of CANVAS through journalling, meditation, round-circle discussions, a wild sauna, and swimming. The day offered mothers a rare opportunity to reset, rewind, and re-evaluate their journeys as doctoral students and early career researchers while balancing caring responsibilities. It also created space to consider how institutions might better understand and support those navigating research, motherhood, and academic life.
Thank you to Dr Tamara, RLI for their commitment to student-parent research and the Student Guild who kindly funded transportation to the venue.
Recent research conducted by several of the PAFS community identified that childcare was one of the biggest barriers to progression for student-parents in higher education. Upfront fees and staggering costs left many student-parents financially unstable as a result. Using evidence and with the kind gesture of TOPS management, they wanted to support the student-parents at Exeter University. We celebrate this as a step in the right direction! Tops management shared the following:
“Tops Day Nurseries, located on the University campus, is pleased to offer international students a 5% subsidy when the university student parent reserves a space with us. You will only need to pay your deposit with your first invoice, so there are no upfront payments – making it as easy as possible to arrange your childcare and giving you one less thing to worry about (T&Cs apply).”
Dr Tamara organised and hosted a wonderful end-of-academic-year Summer Fun Day at Shillingford Organic Farm School near Exeter. Thanks to the generosity of The Student Guild, a bus was organised to take the group to the location where the children roamed free on beautiful farmland. There was food preparation in the outdoor kitchen, BBQ, laughter, dancing, and forging new friendships. There was a real mix of nationalities from British, to Europe, to Middle-East, and to Africa. For our international students who come here with no family and support, PAFS can be that bridge to community and friendship.
Parent and Family Support (PAFs) is a community of university wide student parents that currently has 100 registered members from the University of Exeter, with individuals choosing to attend inclusive events that best fit their schedules and family responsibilities.
Initially proposed in 2023 and developed with a Research Culture Activity Award (RCA), the initiative was developed to address the isolation often experienced by student-parent PGRs, balancing academic work with family life. Now the group is co-supported by a wonderful body of students and grown into a pro-bono initiative, relying on the generosity of volunteers’ time, small funding pockets, and resources. The group has expanded to support a wider community, as well as ‘mature-mature’ students with or without children, and postdoctoral researchers, at the University of Exeter who were drawn to our inclusive community.
PAFS, a peer-led programme offers meet-ups and events throughout the academic year, including guest lectures, informal coffee mornings, and family-centred activities held on campus. It also offers regular support and social space, where students and researchers can connect and share experiences. By fostering a sense of belonging and advocating for inclusive-family-friendly spaces, PAFS contributes to a more supportive and equitable higher education environment at the University of Exeter.
Since its creation, PAFS has hosted a wide range of events to support and connect student parents, caregivers, and their families across the university community. What began as a small support space for postgraduate researchers has grown into a strong vibrant and inclusive network open to all student parents by 2025.
These events reflect the heart of PAFS’ mission: to create a welcoming, supportive, and sustainable community for all student parents, ‘mature-mature’ students, and postdocs. We are proud of the journey so far and excited about what comes next.
Please get in touch if you have an event, talk, or programme proposal to support our group.
Special thanks go to all the PGRs at Exeter who support and facilitate events and to students across all levels who have reached out to and helped grow PAFS to what it is today. Also to thank, Prof Stacey Hind (later Dr Johnathan Doney) and Rachel Dyllan for their invaluable support through the RCA fund during the group’s inaugural year. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to the Students’ Guild for funding several social events, as well as to individuals such as Jacqui Doyle and Astrid Schrader, who have generously dedicated their time to leading wellness sessions across Streatham and St Luke’s campuses. We also acknowledge Emma Norman, Peer Support Lead and Ramona Nash from the chaplaincy team for providing essential resources and connections that have helped the group thrive.