The pilot project

Colchester Citizens, in alliance with the Democracy in Action module, asked of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner back in April:

Will you work with us to help Tesco key workers feel safe as they walk to and from work at the Greenstead/Tesco roundabout, as well as the thousands of residents and students who use Tesco, by prioritising improved lighting and security?

The lights are fixed in the Greenstead underpass. That's a great win for the work on safety and security.

We really think this is worth celebrating, even if the lights in the underpass are only part of the story.

Students took their academic learnings into “the real world” and, hence, develop their critical skills in a participatory and action driven manner.

From the first session students were encouraged to speak up, to feel free to share their experiences, highlighting how their voices were as important as their listening.

The different exercises carried out within the training placed the students out of their comfort zone in a productive manner. For example, in the last training session focused on negotiation, students were asked to participate in an exercise of role playing, pretending to negotiate with their peers in different scenarios, encouraging them to consider how to negotiate with powerful actors in society. This was one of the liveliest activities, as it allowed students to push themselves in their knowledge and critical skills.

Students were encouraged to discuss and listen to each other, offering them a space to practice and try different approaches before talking to strangers, which increased their confidence and their listening capacities.

Overall, students are eager to better understand their academic teachings in “real-life” like scenarios, and that doing so through the building of communities is extremely productive and enriching.