Our Kickstart winners visit Parliament
2023 - March, Our news
Minister for Social Mobility, Youth, and Progression Mims Davies invited our young winners from the Kickstart Housing Partnership Awards: Chloe, Callum, and Marco for a guided tour of Westminster Palace.
They had previously taken part in the government’s employment scheme for 16 to 24-year-olds coming out of the pandemic and had been awarded based on their accomplishments during and after their 6-month placements.
On Monday 27 February, the 3 former Kickstarts from PA Housing convened with Clare Miller – Chief Executive at Clarion Housing, her colleagues from Clarion, and some of their fellow Kickstart Scheme graduates from Clarion and Hyde Housing.
Mims Davies, MP for Mid Sussex and Minister for Social Mobility, Youth, and Progression Employment acted as the tour guide for the day. As well as teaching the group about her profession and the history of the building, she was also happy to learn from our successful Kickstarts too. After the tour, the group were invited into a meeting room to chat about their experiences within the Kickstart Scheme placements and behind the scenes.
Our Kickstarts shared a few of their highlights from the day.
Chloe’s highlights:
“I definitely went in naïve. It was surreal to see something that is so highly regarded in person – where decisions that change the country are made. There’s more than just politics in there – there’s so much history. I had no idea! It was very interesting, and it was an amazing experience to be shown around by an MP. I’d recommend a visit if you can. Mims Davies also spent her time listening to our Kickstart experiences – she was genuinely interested! Kickstart wasn’t just a job for me, it was so important to my career.”
Marco’s highlights:
“That was quite a crazy day – I follow politics closely, so it was strange to see all these places in the flesh (so to speak). I knew that there was a lot of history in the building, but I underestimated just how luxurious and extravagant it would look in person – especially the House of Lords.
“Being inside Westminster Hall (still standing after nearly 1,000 years) and seeing a statue of Oliver Cromwell (a reminder of the English Civil War), the place where Sir William Wallace and King Charles I were put on trial, and the very spot where a Prime Minister was assassinated really brought home how I was walking through a place – a decorated symbol – that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
“Also, the fact that the experiences we shared could potentially influence policy and future schemes is a genuinely mind-blowing prospect.”
Callum’s highlights:
“Being invited to go to the Houses of Parliament was an interesting experience considering it was my first time ever going there. So, to be shown around by an MP was an honour. As someone who studied politics, it was good to finally visit the place where it all happens.
“We also went back to the Clarion Housing office in London to do a short feedback session with them which was interesting to see how others experienced the Kickstart Scheme, what they’re getting up to now, and how other organisations in the housing sector chose to make use of their skills.
“My favourite part of the trip would have to be getting a chance to have a Q&A about the Kickstart Scheme with Mims Davies herself, where I got to ask a few questions that I had.”
Speaking in Housing Digital, Mims Davies commented: “Kickstart helped thousands of young people progress and get on the career ladder. “I am incredibly proud of the scheme’s success and the individual achievements it paved the way for, and so it was a pleasure to host some of the young people supported into work by the Housing Partnership at Parliament to hear some of those inspiring stories… “This shining example shows how investing in our young people – boosting their skills and confidence – sets up individuals, as well as business, for lasting success.”
Mims Davies
