The Student Room is an online community for thousands of students & young people – no matter your background or your aspirations.
Welcome to the
Future Me Hub!
This website has been designed to help provide useful advice for leaving school on topics across jobs, finance, housing, mental health, further and higher education and your rights.
Our leavers’ booklet and our
custom chatbot will be useful resources for you as you plan your next steps after school.
Remember, you can use these resources with your mentor at your weekly meetings!
Explore helpful resources
Leaving School
Apprenticeships.scot
An apprenticeship is when someone works towards a qualification on the job. This website will help you find apprenticeship opportunities.
Barnardo’s
Barnardo’s are a charity that run a wide range of services for children and young people. They offer support on a wide range of topics.
My World of Work – School Leavers Toolkit
My World of Work, by SDS, aids individuals in career exploration, skill enhancement, and professional development through various tools like job searches, CV building, and guidance.
Scottish Government – Pathways
The Scottish Government’s website offers resources for school leavers in Scotland, covering university, college, jobs, and apprenticeships. It also provides career advice, financial support, and assistance for additional needs, along with tools like ‘My World of Work’ and local adviser support.
Prospects – Gap Year
Prospects is a UK service guiding individuals on education, career choices, and future opportunities. They provide resources on jobs, work experience, internships, higher education, and gap year options.
Mental Health
SAMH
SAMH are Scotland’s largest mental health charity. They run a variety of mental health services as well as an information line. Our services are person centred and based on an ethos of recovery. For details of our local services get in touch on 0141 530 1000.
Includem
Includem are a Scottish charity that works with children, young people and families to help them transform their lives. Includem provide intensive, bespoke support to young people and families in challenging circumstances.
Samaritans
Samaritans are a unique charity dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection that can lead to suicide. Samaritans run a 24 hour helpline, aimed to provide listening and support to people who are going through difficult periods.
NHS – Mental Health
The NHS provides extensive mental health resources, covering various conditions, emotions, life guidance, support services, and self-help methods.
Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation aims to challenge the way things are done and create fundamental change in the UK’s approach to mental health. They provide information and guides with activities, tips and advice for supporting your mental health.
See Me
See Me is Scotland’s Programme to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination. We are funded by Scottish Government and managed by SAMH and The Mental Health Foundation.
Housing
Citizens Advice – Housing
Citizens Advice offers vital guidance on housing matters, including renting, resolving problems, tenant and landlord rights, and financial aid. They assist with eviction, repairs, and landlord disputes.
Scottish Government – Social Housing
The Scottish Government’s resources on social housing aim to provide affordable, high-quality homes by increasing supply, improving standards, ensuring fair access, collaborating with local authorities and housing associations, addressing homelessness, and meeting environmental standards.
Shelter – Housing Advice
Shelter offers advice and guidance on various housing topics like renting, eviction, and tenant rights, providing practical resources and support to those in need. Its goal is to help people understand their rights and find housing solutions suited to their needs.
Mind
Mind guides on housing issues tied to mental health, aiding with homelessness, unsafe living conditions, and obtaining support from local resources. Tailored help for students, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and crisis support with short-term accommodations and self-care is available.
Kibble
Kibble supports at-risk children and young people (aged 5-26) in the UK who have faced trauma. We provide residential and community support, schools, and wellbeing services to aid their progression.
Clan Childlaw
Clan Childlaw is an award-winning charity in Scotland that offers free legal representation designed specifically for children and young people, empowering them to assert their rights.
Finance
SAAS Funding
SAAS supports Scottish students with funding for higher education, including tuition fees, loans, bursaries, and grants. They also help with applications and financial management.
Further Education Bursary
Student Information Scotland provides information about bursaries for students in further education in Scotland. It outlines eligibility criteria, how to apply, and the types of financial support available, such as living costs and travel expenses.
Turn2Us
Turn2Us provides guidance on coping with the cost of living crisis, including tips on maximising income, budgeting, debt advice, and resources for essential needs such as food and energy. Specialised schemes for energy efficiency, health costs, and disability support are also emphasised.
Money Saving Expert
Money Saving Expert provides advice and tools to help people save money, manage debt, and make informed financial decisions. It covers areas such as banking & savings, managing bills, credit cards & loans and budgeting.
Student Space
Student Space provides tips on securing more funding for university students, including budgeting, applying for scholarships, bursaries, hardship funds, and exploring additional finance sources like grants for disabilities or care-giving.
The King’s Trust
At The King’s Trust, we empower disadvantaged youth to overcome challenges, build skills for success, and thrive despite their backgrounds.
My Rights
Shelter – Support for Care Leavers
Shelter offers advice for young people leaving care, focusing on housing and financial support. They offer information on what help is available, including accommodation options, financial assistance like grants and benefits, and the rights of young people leaving care.
Holiday Entitlement
The UK Government provides information on holiday entitlement, holiday pay, and accrual for workers. Most workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks’ paid holiday a year. You can use the holiday calculator to work out how much leave someone should get.
Citizens Advice – Sick Pay
Citizens Advice offers advice on a range of topics. This area of their website provides information on Statutory Sick Pay such as eligibility, payment, exceptions, and how to claim sick pay.
National Minimum Wage & Living Wage
The UK Government’s website provides information on the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage. This includes the minimum age to receive the rates, how much minimum and living wage are per age group, and who’s entitled to the wages.
What is a Pension?
Money Helper provides information on the basics of a pension, including what a pension is, the different types of pensions, understanding your own pension, and why you should save into a pension.
Your Rights to Healthcare
Scotland’s website provides an overview of healthcare in Scotland, focusing on the NHS Scotland healthcare system. This page provides information on your rights to healthcare, including free healthcare, eligibility, registering with a General Practitioner (GP), and emergency care.
Employment
Job Help
Job Help is a UK Government website designed to support job seekers. It provides practical advice on finding and applying for jobs, resources for improving skills and creating CVs, and insights into industries that are actively hiring.
My Job Scotland
My Job Scotland is an official recruitment portal for public sector jobs in Scotland. It provides access to a wide range of opportunities across local councils, education, social care, fire and rescue services, and other public organisations.
Skills Development Scotland
SDS (Skills Development Scotland) is Scotland’s national skills agency. They provide support for individuals and businesses to enhance their skills and career opportunities. SDS offers support such as careers advice, training resources, skills development and information on apprenticeships.
My World of Work
My World of Work, by Skills Development Scotland, provides online career advice and tools to help individuals plan their career, explore options, and develop necessary skills. It supports people at various career stages with CV guidance, interview tips, skills assessment, and industry insights.
Reed – Interview Techniques
Reed provides guidance on preparing for and succeeding in job interviews. They offer resources covering the key aspects of the interview process, including how to research a company, answer common and challenging questions, and make a strong first impression.
ACAS
ACAS in the UK gives impartial advice on workplace rights, employment law, and conflict resolution to employers and employees, covering topics like pay, contracts, redundancy, disputes, and employee relations.
Health & Wellbeing
Childline
Childline is a UK-based support service for children and young people under 19. They provide confidential assistance on a wide range of issues, including bullying, mental health, abuse and family problems.
CAMHS
CAMHS provides a hub with resources supporting mental health for children, teens, families, and professionals. It offers self-help tools, guides, videos, resources, and 24/7 support.
YoungMinds
YoungMinds is a UK-based mental health charity dedicated to supporting children, young people and their families. They focus on promoting mental health awareness and providing practical help.
The Body Coach – Joe Wicks
Joe Wicks (The Body Coach) offers a YouTube channel containing free videos on exercising and promoting health and wellbeing. The videos contain various exercise videos aimed at different groups such as young people, adults or families.
The LGBT Foundation
The LGBT Foundation is a UK-based charity that provides support, advice, and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals. Their key services include: support services, health & well-being, and advocacy and community.
BBC: Good Food – Recipes
Going to college or uni and never cooked before? Our student recipes are a great way to get started with easy, cheap and filling dishes that are packed with flavour.
Care Experienced
The Promise Scotland
The Promise is committed to improving the lives of care-experienced people. Their aim is to transform Scotland’s care system to prioritise the well-being and rights of care experienced individuals.
SAAS Funding – Care Experienced
This guide from SAAS provides information on the support available for care-experienced students in Scotland. This includes: eligibility for funding, funding available to care-experienced students, additional support, and funding application process.
Young Scot
Young Scot offers a range of support for care-experienced young people, including financial help, education support, housing support, and information on The Promise.
The Real Toolkit
The Real Toolkit is designed to support care-experienced parents in Scotland. It offers information guidance on pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood, support for health, well-being, and relationships, and information on rights, housing, and financial support.
Who Cares? Scotland
Who Cares? Scotland is Scotland’s only national independent membership organisation for Care Experienced people. Our strategic vision is to secure a lifetime of equality, respect and love for Care Experienced people in Scotland. At the heart of our work are the rights of Care Experienced people and the power their voices have to bring about change.
The Care Review – Pledge Wall
#KeepthePromise showcases commitments from individuals and organisations to support Scotland’s Independent Care Review recommendations. These pledges emphasise listening to care-experienced voices, fostering love and respect, improving care systems, and promoting equality and opportunities for young people in care.
Discounts
Money Saving Expert
MoneySavingExpert is a trusted guide for finding the best deals and discounts available to students. Their website helps you access exclusive savings on everything from food to gadgets. It’s a great way to get more for your money while you study.
Young Enterprise
Young Enterprise provides a fantastic range of student discounts to help you save on essentials and fun extras. Their platform connects you with brands offering special deals just for students. Take advantage of these offers to get more value while you’re studying!
16-25 Railcard
The 16-25 Railcard helps young people save a third on train fares across the UK. Whether you’re commuting or travelling for fun, it’s a great way to make your journeys more affordable. Unlock savings and explore the country without breaking the bank!
Young Scot
Young Scot offers a wide range of discounts for young people across Scotland. From shopping to activities, you’ll find special deals that make life more affordable. Sign up and start saving on everyday purchases and exciting experiences!
Unidays
Unidays connects students with exclusive discounts on fashion, tech, food, and more. Sign up for free to access deals from top brands and save money while you study. It’s your one-stop shop for student savings!
Student Beans
Student Beans offers students unbeatable discounts on a wide range of products and services. From fashion to food, you’ll find deals that make your student life more affordable. Sign up to unlock savings from top brands and enjoy more for less!
General Resources
Leavers Booklet
Are you considering leaving school? Have a look at our Leavers Booklet designed to support you with the pathway you want to choose!
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice provides free, impartial, and confidential advice to people in Scotland on a range of issues such as: money and debt, benefits, work, housing, and consumer issues.
Young Scot
Young Scot provides information, support, and services for young people in Scotland, with a focus on health, education, rights, and opportunities. They offer discounts and rewards through the Young Scot National Entitlement Card, facilitating access to various services and savings.
Birth Certificate
A Birth Certificate is a crucial document for identity verification, available from the National Records of Scotland or the local council where you were born in the UK. It is essential for tasks like passport applications and opening bank accounts.
Passport
A Passport is an essential form of Photo ID that allows you to travel to different countries. You will need a form of photographic ID for many different things, for example, opening bank accounts or starting a new job.
Driver’s License
A Driver’s Licence is a form of Photo ID and proof that you are legally able to drive in the UK. Having photographic ID is very important. You will need a form of photographic ID for many different things, for example, opening bank accounts or starting a new job.