Labour MP for Brentford & Isleworth and Chair of the UK Parliament’s Transport Select Committee, Ruth Cadbury, visited West Thames College on 8 December, where she met with ESOL learners and members of the College’s Student Voice.
During her visit, students raised a range of issues affecting the local community, including housing pressures, apprenticeships and employment opportunities, access to mental health support, funding for adult education courses, and services available to those who do not speak English.
Speaking about the visit, Cadbury said: “We always do a round table with the students whenever I come, and it was really important to me to hear what matters to them. It’s a huge pleasure for me to represent the community I live in and that my children grew up in, and coming here to meet students and listen to their experiences is a really important part of my job.”
Cadbury’s visit offered students the chance to engage directly with their local MP, helping them understand how their views can contribute to wider conversations about policy and community needs.
Marta Gajewska, CEO & Principal at West Thames College, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Ruth Cadbury for taking the time to listen to our students so openly. Many of our learners are navigating complex challenges as they build their futures, and having their voices acknowledged at a parliamentary level means a great deal. At West Thames College, we are committed to empowering every student to speak up, be heard, and play an active role in shaping the community around them. Visits like this reinforce just how important that mission is.”
Student voice is a core part of the College’s approach to ensuring learners are heard. It gives students a formal platform to share their experiences, raise concerns, and shape improvements across the college. Representatives speak on behalf of their peers, working with staff and leadership to make sure student perspectives influence decisions that directly affect them.
West Thames College described the meeting as a valuable opportunity for learners—particularly those new to the UK—to speak openly about the challenges they face and the support they want to see in place.
