Students from Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges (HRUC) are stepping up to support local businesses as part of a new partnership with Voice For Locals (VFL), showcased during an event at our Uxbridge campus. This initiative empowers students to help revitalise British high streets while gaining valuable real-world experience.
Having already transformed 1,600 businesses and trained 2,300 staff in Northern Ireland with UK Community Renewal Fund support, VFL is now expanding across England, Scotland, and Wales. In partnership with Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges (HRUC), VFL has prepared students to deliver customer experience programmes such as loyalty schemes, rewards for shopping local, and business cross-promotion across west London by completing intensive training and workshop sessions to build their confidence and communication skills.
At the launch, eight of HRUC’s international students together with Voice For Locals (VFL) founder Jay Thattai and students from Imperial College London, demonstrated their market research findings to an audience including Liz Barclay, UK Small Business Commissioner, and eight local councillors across west London boroughs. These insights were achieved by students conducting face-to-face visits with small business owners across local high streets. Their polished presentations drew praise from attendees who remarked on their growth, confidence, and enthusiasm.
During the event, students were also awarded certificates for their achievement and had the chance to network with councillors, many of whom showed interest in the possibility of providing similar schemes in their areas. By bridging student development with high street revitalisation, HRUC and VFL are driving sustainable growth and building stronger communities across west London.
Kiran Rami, HRUC Director for Student Services and School Engagement commented on the programme: "The transformation in students is incredible – confident, fluent, and enthusiastic. The work fits in with our values of being a “community of leaders” by giving back to the community and supporting local business. Councillors I spoke to were full of praise and want similar schemes in their areas."
For more information about the scheme and how it supports local businesses, visit Voice For Locals.