United Colleges Group (UCG) are delighted to announce that its Head of Student Support Services has been nominated for an award at a forthcoming conference for a national charity.
The tireless and inspiring work of Diana Brown, who is also the group’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, has been recognised by the National Association for Managers of Student Services (NAMSS) and Diana will attend their two-day event at Liverpool’s Hilton Hotel on March 13-14.
NAMSS provides support and professional development for managers and colleagues who work in student services roles in post-16 education and training, with a network of around 600 members in almost 300 member colleges across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Diana has been nominated in the NAMSS Student Services Awards, which be announced during a Gala Dinner on the first evening of the event.
From humble beginnings of wanting to help a few underfed and poorly clothed students, to setting up and managing food and clothes banks, Diana has developed a sustainable programme that not only clothes and feeds vulnerable students, but provides key life skills training for our supported learners, opportunities to gain work experience for students with low levels of English, and an opportunity for students to help fellow students at the United Colleges Group (UCG).
Diana started the foodbank in September 2016 after being made aware of students who were unable to participate in class or enrichment activities due to hunger. She was able to provide them with meals while in college but wanted to make sure students had access to food at home.
Then in 2019, after helping a learner who only had a pair of slippers to wear to college, Diana set out to start a clothes bank for students — and after a delay to the project due to the pandemic, she has restarted work again on the initiative this term and is already helping other learners who need support to find essential clothing items.
Diana Brown said: “It’s a real honour to be attending the NAMSS event next month and I am looking forward to learning from my peers about the different challenges students face.
“The food and clothes banks provide basic needs for vulnerable students. They have also provided an opportunity to develop valuable learning programmes around life skills for our work experience, ESOL and supported learning students.”
Stephen Davis, Principal of United Colleges Group, said: “Everyone at UCG is delighted Diana’s selfless support of students is being recognised on a national level.
“Her nomination is well deserved and we wish her the best of luck at the awards ceremony.”
“My experience at College of Northwest London, has been exciting, it has been thrilling and it has been full of opportunities, and we have the tutors that help us whenever we’re in need. We go on educational trips to get a feel for what university life is like. We have the careers advisors that help us on our path, our university path.”
“At City of Westminster College, my experience has been the best of all the other colleges I’ve attended. The reason I like CWC is because the teachers make my journey easier with assessment and exams. I’m a Level Two Science student and I enjoy my lessons because most of them are practical, which are helpful for me. I love studying at CWC because you meet people from other countries – all over the world and from all different communities.”
“The facilities here are brilliant. You have range of courses you can study. My teachers in the Performing Arts department have got history in the industry, which is very useful. You get to ask them for advice and actual knowledge from the industry, and take that into your own work within the college also afterwards. ”
“My favourite thing about studying here has definitely got to be the teachers. They’re really helpful, kind and in the industry, so it’s good.”
“The technical knowledge and hands-on experience gained during my apprenticeship at College of North West London have been invaluable, particularly in understanding site processes, health and safety requirements and the understanding of electrical systems.”
“My experience studying at City of Westminster College has been amazing. It’s been so welcoming; I enjoy it very much because of the staff members we have here. They’re very approachable and I could come to them with any question, and it will be answered straight away. And if I come early for a class, I can use the Learning Resources Centre, I can use the computers, the books, just to continue all my studies outside the classroom time.”
“The training process was seamless. I had good instructors who were very flexible, supporting people of all learning levels. On the last day after our exams, a security company came and did a presentation. We had the opportunity to have an interview afterwards. I told them about my experiences, and they said I would be a good fit. I formally applied for a role and started with the company soon after. Getting into security has opened doors for me. I hope I will continue to take steps up the career ladder.”
“Coming to study at the City of Westminster College was the best decision that I had ever made. The teachers are very accommodating – they help you learn things in a way that might be easier for you to learn. They are very supportive and I think that’s one of the best things about learning here.”
“I was so grateful to have won Apprentice of the Year at the West London Business Awards 2026, I could not have done it without the support my company Size Group and the College of North West London.”
