A NORTH-East university has signed a pledge to support students who are estranged from their families.

Durham University says it is committed to the Stand Alone Pledge, offering financial support, year-round accommodation and mental health support to students who do not have support from their families.

Amie Key, a student who founded the Durham Estranged Students Group, which campaigns to raise awareness of the issue and provide a network for people affected by it, said: “The university’s signing of the Stand Alone Pledge is fantastic news for all estranged students at Durham.

“The formal recognition from the university of students like me who do not have family support is massively reassuring.

“I believe that this is just the start for the development of appropriate and effective support for incoming and current students who are estranged from their families, and I hope that the university involves estranged students as much as possible in these developments.”

Vice-chancellor Professor Stuart Corbridge said the university was committed to supporting students who are underrepresented in higher education.