Westminster Citizens Assembly is an evening led by students and community leaders diving into how we can build a fairer, more inclusive borough.
On March 26th, campaign teams including Youth Opportunities, Thames Water, Refugees & Asylum Seeker Justice shared their successes, learnings and next steps to an audience of local businesses and leaders.
Hear more about the event from lead organiser and City of Westminster College Student’s Union President, Beheshta Bakhtari:
This assembly was coordinated by our students in collaboration with Citizens UK and University of Westminster bringing together key partners including Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, King’s College London, ZSL London Zoo, alongside senior stakeholders and local leadership such as Counsellor Adam Hug from Westminster Council, further positioning City of Westminster College at the centre of opportunity-building within Westminster.
As part of our Youth Opportunities campaign, we increased the number of in-person work experience placements for this year at Imperial College and have opened pathways for health and life science-based work experience at ZSL London Zoo. We have also secured support from Kings College London to support student progression to university.
We are also holding a dedicated employers’ roundtable in May to ensure that the Assembly is not a standalone event, but the beginning of a structured and ongoing programme of engagement.
Beyond Youth Opportunities, the Assembly also showcased the wider work of Westminster Citizens, including the Living Wage, Refugee and Asylum Seeker Justice, and Thames Water campaigns. These provided a broader context of civic engagement and demonstrated the depth of social impact our students are contributing to. While these campaigns extend beyond the college, our students played an active role in supporting and amplifying these issues and look forward to building on this.
Thank you to UCG Enrichment and Student Support in making this possible. The confidence and leadership demonstrated by our students are a direct reflection of the opportunities they are given beyond the classroom.
Overall, the Assembly demonstrated the power of student-led organising. We were able to bring together major institutions, facilitate high-level discussions, and secure concrete commitments that will directly support our students’ futures. It also positioned City of Westminster College and the Student Union as proactive and influential partners within the wider Westminster community.
Looking ahead, our focus will be on delivering these commitments, strengthening partnerships, and preparing for the next phase of this work, including the May roundtable and our longer-term ambition to host a larger Citizens Assembly next year with even greater employer engagement.
Beheshta Bakhtari
“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.”
“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. ”
“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.”
“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.”
