Lord Lieutenant of Surrey visits Nescot to showcase the best of Nescot and put student voices centre stage
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Mrs Neelam Dharni Devesher MBE, and a large delegation of Deputy Lieutenants explored everything from hair & beauty to bricklaying, robotics to racing cars during a visit to Nescot.
Young people took centre stage as the Lord-Lieutenant and community leaders sought the views of students and learned about the wide range of training and education opportunities available locally.
During the visit, she experienced the college’s state-of-the-art immersive classroom, toured the Institute of Technology and received her visitor’s pass from a robot. Performing arts students entertained, the motorsport team showed off their vehicle, and the catering students prepared the food. Public services students from the college paraded and took part in a flag-raising ceremony.
The group was hosted by Nescot’s leadership team, including the CEO and Principal, Julie Kapsalis MBE. Mrs Devesher was accompanied by a delegation of 25 experienced volunteers from a variety of industries and sectors, including many Deputy Lieutenants from across Surrey. The unusually large Lieutenancy delegation reflected the importance being placed on engaging with young people. With representatives able to spread out across the campus, the group gained an insight into many curriculum areas and met students from across the college.
A key priority for Mrs Devesher’s Lieutenancy is listening to young people across Surrey, and ensuring their voices are heard at county level. As part of this work, learners took part in a panel discussion, “Being a Youth in Surrey”, where they shared their experiences, challenges and aspirations. Their views will help shape the Lord-Lieutenant’s work during her term of office.
It was an honour to welcome the Lord-Lieutenant and her delegation to Nescot. With such a large group, we got to showcase the extraordinary breadth of learning that takes place across our campus, from advanced technology and construction trades to performing arts, hospitality and childcare. Most importantly, it gave our students the chance to share their views and experiences directly with civic leaders. We are incredibly proud of our students, and we jump at the chance of amplifying their voices by working in partnership like this.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this role is meeting young people and hearing directly about their lives, ambitions and experiences. I was hugely impressed by the students at Nescot, whose enthusiasm, talent and aspiration were evident throughout. The visit gave us the chance to listen to what matters to young people today and to understand how we can help reflect that in the work we do across Surrey.
A visit built by the whole Nescot community
The visit was a fantastic example of collaboration across the college, with departments from every corner of campus playing an important role.
Listening to young people
A key priority for the Lord-Lieutenant during her term of office is listening to young people across Surrey and ensuring their perspectives help shape conversations and decision-making.
To support this work, Nescot students took part in panel discussions exploring what it means to be a young person in Surrey today. Learners openly discussed the opportunities available to them, the challenges they face and their hopes for the future.
It’s really important for young people to have opportunities to speak up like this about the things that affect us. Transport is a big issue for me. Getting to college can be expensive and it isn’t always easy to get around Surrey using public transport. The cost of living is another concern, because when you’re studying, everyday things like travelling to college and getting a good meal can really add up.
These conversations gave students the opportunity to influence civic leaders directly and demonstrated the value of creating spaces where young people’s views can be heard.
What does the Lord-Lieutenant do?
The Lord-Lieutenant is the British monarch’s personal and official representative within the county. Appointed by the King on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, the Lord-Lieutenant’s primary role is to uphold the dignity of the Crown by supporting local community networks, facilitating official Royal visits, presenting national honours, and backing local voluntary, business, and military sectors. The position is voluntary, unpaid, and strictly apolitical.
You can find out more about the Surrey Lieutenancy here
