Sylvia Heal

Labour Party | Halesowen and Rowley Regis

Local young person meets PM at Number Ten

Sylvia Heal MP held a special competition in conjunction with the Halesowen News to give a local young person the once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Number Ten Downing Street.

Entrants were asked to write 50-100 words as to why they deserved such a fantastic opportunity. Laura Sadler a 21 year old student from Halesowen was selected as the competition winner for a project she began while studying at Birmingham University. The scheme which has now been adopted by other Universities nationally supports students living at home who are often overlooked and receive little support or socialising opportunities. The lack of opportunities for live at home students can lead to a higher drop out rate and difficulty achieving full study potential, the project aims to prevent these negative effects by organising peer run welfare systems and activities.

Local MP Sylvia Heal accompanied competition winner Laura Sadler to the Reception at Number Ten Downing Street. Laura had the opportunity to discuss her project with Prime Minister Gordon Brown who praised her for her hard work and success.

Sylvia Heal MP said: “Laura is a very talented young person who has worked hard to set up an impressive project which has helped change thousands of students’ lives who live at home while studying.

Laura Sadler said: “It was amazing to actually walk through the door to Number 10. I couldn’t believe I was walking up the famous staircase surrounded by the pictures of former Prime Ministers. Gordon Brown was interested to hear about the project I set up to help students who are living at home, he thanked me for my hard work. I’m really pleased that winning the competition has raised awareness of the project which helps students fulfil their potential and make the most of the opportunities available to them while at University”.