FINDING YOUR VOICE – A VISIT FROM PARLIAMENT

When our learners think about Parliament, we often find they feel it’s something distant, something that happens in the background, something that doesn’t really affect them and is far removed from everyday life. But during a recent visit from Kerrie Carpenter, Senior Education Officer from UK Parliament, that perception quickly changed.

Her session wasn’t just about how Parliament works. It was about something much more personal: why your voice matters and how to use it.

“Politics affects you more than you think”

Kerrie opened with a simple but powerful message: politics isn’t abstract. It shapes the world students live in every day, from education and funding to transport, healthcare and future job opportunities.

By breaking down the structure of Parliament and explaining the roles within it, she turned something complex into something students could understand much better. Suddenly, the House of Commons and House of Lords weren’t just terms thrown around on the news, they were part of a system students could understand and, importantly, influence.

It’s not just for “political people”

One of the most refreshing aspects of the talk was how accessible Kerrie made everything feel.

There’s often a misconception that you need to be deeply political or knowledgeable about politics to get involved, but that’s not the case. You don’t need to be an expert, you just need to be curious, aware and have an opinion.

She encouraged students to start small:

• Pay attention to issues that affect you personally
• Ask questions
• Join conversations
• Stay informed in a way that works for you, whether that’s watching or reading the news, or using social media – social media can be a good way to keep informed, but remember that there is a lot of misinformation out there, so make sure to fact check your sources

Your local MP isn’t out of reach

A standout moment was learning just how accessible local MPs actually are.

Kerrie explained that MPs are there to represent their communities and that the communities they serve have every right to contact them, raise concerns or ask questions. Kerrie reenforced that each person’s perspective has value and there are channels through which it can be heard, such as through letters, or even emails, to MPs.

Confidence, critical thinking and real-world awareness

While the focus of the session was Parliament, what students took away went far beyond an understanding of how laws are made. It encouraged them to think deeply about the society they’re already part of, to question what they see, form their own informed perspectives, and feel more confident contributing to conversations that matter. For many learners, this isn’t about preparing for the future in abstract or far-off terms, it’s about engaging more actively with the present, whether that’s in their local communities, workplaces or families.

Why this matters at University Centre Farnborough

Sessions like this are an important part of the student experience as they provide context, challenge assumptions and help connect academic learning to real-world impact.

Kerrie’s visit wasn’t just about understanding Parliament, it was about understanding influence, responsibility and the role everyone can play within society.