Building Young People's Power in Westminster

Westminster Youth Assembly, 4th July 2025

by student leader Beheshta, City of Westminster College

There’s something electric about entering the room where you know, really know, you will be heard. Not acknowledged with polite nods, not tokenised or tolerated, but genuinely listened to. That was the energy crackling through the room at the Youth Assembly with Georgia Gould MP this week. The room itself felt different. Maybe it was the mix of students and MPs, councillors and campaigners, educators and allies. Or it was the feeling that this, at last, was finally a space we’d built – not for show, but for substance.

For many of us, it was exhilarating. The buzz of the room, the moment you walked through those doors, to the quiet pride in looking around and knowing that this whole campaign, focused on youth safety and creating real opportunities for young people, had grown from the ground up. What started as a few students speaking up evolved into a full-fledged movement, marked by partnerships, breakout groups, testimonies, and compelling ideas. It felt amazing to be part of something that had been built from scratch, shaped by our voices, formed from our experiences, and driven by our urgency. It wasn’t about showy headlines or large numbers. We chose quality over quantity. And we delivered.

This campaign began with a real concern – students didn’t feel safe leaving college, especially when walking through the nearby park. It affected our sense of freedom and focus. So we spoke up. We highlighted the key issues: poor lighting, broken fencing, and limited CCTV. Then we suggested clear solutions – brighter lights, a fixed fence, and better surveillance. And we saw results. The park is now being redesigned with youth safety in mind, and the college has already repositioned its cameras to better protect students at key points. It showed that when young people speak with purpose, real change can happen.

One of the most powerful moments came when Louise, a student from City of Westminster College, stood up to share her story – still raw and unfolding. There was no pretence. No filter. She spoke with an honesty that stopped the room in its tracks. “The highlight,” one student later said, “was when Louise came out to talk about her experience… even though she is still going through that mental pain.” That’s what made this event so rare. It wasn’t just people showing up with soundbites; it was people showing up with truth. With pain. With strength.

The outcomes? They weren’t hypothetical. They were tangible. We made real connections with other schools like St. Augustine’s, and Paddington Academy. We forged a growing relationship with Georgia Gould MP’s office and received an invitation to their upcoming youth summit. We formed bonds with All Child, our brilliant campaign partners, and even opened up early conversations with local organisations and individuals who want to support the work. Students formed new ideas in those buzzing little breakout circles – tables alive with energy, conversation and rapid-fire solutions. The focus groups were a personal highlight for me. They weren’t just surface-level debates. We dug deep into the root causes. We weren’t just talking about problems – we were bringing our solutions to the table. Passionate, intelligent, articulate young people sat shoulder-to-shoulder with policymakers, not begging to be heard, but owning their seat at the table.

That kind of shared space, where every voice counts and every voice echoes, is rare. And it’s needed more than ever.

Connecting with MPs and council members isn’t just symbolic. It’s strategic. Because they have power – and we have context. They’ve got the policies; we’ve got the receipts. Yes, they have power. Yes, they have influence and let’s be honest – they have the money. If we want to turn these youth-led ideas into action, we need to work with the people who can unlock doors. But even more than that, it’s about shared responsibility. Engaging with these MPs and local councils is about putting our lived experiences at the heart of decisions that shape our daily lives. It’s like giving them a pair of glasses so they can actually see what’s happening on the ground and that’s where we begin to foster mutual understanding. Our communities are not side projects. They are the heart of this city. And if we’re going to change anything, we need to sit across from power and speak truth – not once, but repeatedly, until something shifts. Besides, democracy doesn’t work without dialogue. And trust me, we had plenty of that today.

This campaign has been more than a school project or a one-off event. It’s been a crash course in patience, in planning, in the quiet grind of community organising. I’ve personally learned the importance of slowing down and gaining perspective, realizing how every conversation, every meeting, every testimony adds to the bigger picture. Building connections within the community has become essential. As a team, we’ve become more strategic, united, and purpose-driven. We’ve learned how to prep, plan, pivot, and problem-solve. Our listening skills, adaptability, communication and resilience have sharpened. We’ve understood that change doesn’t come from shouting the loudest, but from building something steady. Something smart. Something collective. And it’s working.

“I think the campaign itself is really fulfilling,” one student reflected, “and makes you believe you can actually change things with some effort and determination.” Another added simply, “All our hard work over the past year is finally paying off.” That sense of reward – the knowledge that what you say matters is something no textbook can teach.

And honestly? Georgia Gould MP truly stood out - our students had the best time chatting with her. The way she engaged, actively listened, and leaned into the conversations demonstrated to us that good politics isn’t about taking centre stage. Instead, it’s about pulling up a chair at the side of the table. Seeing councillors and policymakers interact in such a casual, open environment made the whole experience feel more human, more relatable, and definitely more achievable. There were no pedestals; just people.

This felt like the beginning of something bigger. It wasn’t just a fleeting expression of youth voices; but a momentum that will carry us forward – into more schools, more conversations, greater impact. Watching our peers open doors for themselves, claim their space, and start shaping the systems around them? That’s the kind of power that lasts.

So if you ask me what this Youth Assembly meant, I’d say it wasn’t just an event; it was a declaration. We’re here. We matter. And we’re only just getting started.

Want to get involved in Youth campaigns?

Please email Lucy Gardner, Organiser Westminster Citizens; Lucy.Gardner@CitizensUK.org