City of Westminster college students have been working together with Citizens UK leading a listening campaign, to initiate a project for change within the local community.

The Students for Change action group came together and completed a walk around the college’s Paddington campus. They considered the college students and the local community and what change was needed in relation to feeling safe. The team worked with students across the college carrying out surveys and focus groups, as well as listening to the views of local residents.

Students expressed that whilst they generally felt the college was a safe environment, after leaving the safety of the campus boundaries they did not always feel safe around the park area or in some areas near to the college due to poor lighting.

At an event held on 4th June at City of Westminster College, the students presented their findings to Sara Hassan, Labour Councillor for Little Venice Ward, representing residents on Westminster Council. Sara admired the students and their work, noting that their work had raised crucial awareness of this local issue.

Joanne Smith Assistant Principal for Student Experience opened the event and introduced keynote speakers Louise Johnson (CWC student) and Rahat Shaikh (CWC alumni) student alongside our student support team member, safeguarding officer, Ayah Benberna.

The event was supported and attended by Georgia Gould (Leader of Camden Council and Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Queen’s Park and Maida Vale) and Samia Hersi (Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Queen's Park and Maida Vale) who committed to meeting with the action group again in future to discuss the findings.

The event was supported by:

Local Westminster Citizens Alliance members;

• Krystallia Kamvasinou – Academic from University of Westminster Architecture dept
• Rahat Shaikh – former City of Westminster College student
• Mahmudul Chowdhury – St James Piccadilly
• Claire Wright – St James Piccadilly
• Jared Jaggers – American International Church
• Father Dominic Robinson – Farm Street Church
• Fr Andrew Norwood – St Mary’s Church
• El Fraley – Westminster University
• Shanakay Dyer – Westminster University

Alongside local community members;

• Fr Andrew Norwood – St Mary’s Church
• Emily Sherley-Dale – Berkeley – Community Engagement Officer
• Liz Dunning – Wallacea Living – Head of Community Engagement