Students at London South East Colleges’ Greenwich Campus had the opportunity to meet their local MP, Abena Oppong-Asare, during a special visit to the College.
The MP was welcomed to the campus, which is currently undergoing a £47m re-development, and given a tour of the facilities. She heard about how the College is supporting its students and the wider community with high-quality education and career-focused training - as well as future plans for the provision.
As part of the visit, Abena met with a group of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students, who had the chance to ask questions and hear directly from their local representative. Abena spoke about her journey into politics, the support available for people new to the UK and explained how young people can make their voices heard.
The discussion was a great opportunity for students to develop their confidence and understand more about the role of government. They also learnt how they can get involved in shaping their communities with ESOL student, Brice Lingock, saying:
"I really enjoyed the round-table event with Abena. It was powerful to hear her speak so openly and honestly. When she talked about those who have supported her, it touched me deeply. I could see how much it meant to her, and it reminded me how important it is to have people who believe in us. Abena’s many projects and passions gave me a lot of encouragement. Her work to support help ethnic minority grow in politics really inspired me. As a learner and a professional, I felt respected and included. I am thankful to my teacher for the opportunity to hear her speak and to be part of this experience."
Speaking about the visit, Abena Oppong-Asare MP said:
“It was fantastic to visit London South East Colleges Greenwich and to meet with students and staff. I enjoyed talking to them about their experiences and ambitions as well as sharing my own; they were all extremely enthusiastic and have bright futures ahead.
“I was also very impressed to see the progress of the campus re-development. Once finished, this will benefit the local community significantly, providing innovative training facilities for both employers and students. I very much look forward to returning to see the finished project.”
The new campus will open to students in January 2026. To find out more visit: www.LSEC.ac.uk/projects/greenwich-development