Laura Cook 0:05

Hello and welcome to this very special Cadet to Career podcast episode direct from the Westminster Award final at the House of Lords.

Steve Taylor 0:14

I'm Laura Cook. And I'm Steve Taylor, and once again we are on the Private Terrace. Laura, this is not bad for work, is it? At the House of Lords for the annual reveal of who is going to be the winner of this year's Westminster Award. Behind us, they're finishing, putting out the table plans. It's a lovely setting, this isn't it. The dining room on the private terrace at the House of Lords. Didn't get better than that.

Laura Cook 0:36

It couldn't get better. And behind you, the the eye, the London eye, and like we say, there's beautiful Thames at views, and it's absolutely wonderful. Lots of people, lots of bustle, lots of excitement. How are you feeling today, Steve?

Steve Taylor 0:47

I'm feeling really good because the team are well prepped and we know what we're doing. We've been here many times before. And all the hard work goes on in the weeks and the months and the run-up to this. So that by the time the guests arrive, very, very shortly, we will all be calm. We've done the we'll be like ducks, you know, where it's calm on the surface and the paddling under the water is going on. I mean, the menu is fantastic this year. The people will be arriving with their families for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of lunch on the private terrace at the House Awards, hosted by uh very generously by our chairman Lord Lingfield. Um and it is a special event sunshine, the river turns behind us. I mean, uh it's one of those moments that you probably commit to memory and and remember for a long time.

Laura Cook 1:27

This is a very special process at this uh this award that the cadets have been through, the finalists have been through um a very big process. Um lots of uh things to challenge them, lots of things to put into practice that they've learned through their journey, and this is the culmination of it. And their parents must be so proud, I mean they must be so proud of themselves, but like you say, they'll take it in and then they'll probably look back at it and think pinch themselves.

Steve Taylor 1:50

And you'll have to look at the photographs later to see it because the the smile on the faces of the family and particularly uh you know the parents of of the winners, is just you can't uh describe it. Radio doesn't do it justice, does it? Because it is absolutely incredible, and you know, 40 people, thousands entered, 40 people went down to Somerset, and I wonder, and I always ask them down there, if you get through to the final, what do you think the day will be like? And they sort of imagine it, but when you see them arrive, because you were here last year as well, it it's like wide-eyed and smiles, isn't it? Because it's almost back beyond the wild is dream sort of stuff, isn't it? But uh a great day in prospect, uh without a shadow of a doubt, uh and some speeches, and we'll find out later who the winner is. But I know you have got lots of people to talk to.

Laura Cook 2:30

Absolutely, lots of people, lots of inspiring stories. Last year I was certainly very, very inspired, and I have no doubt that this year we'll make it even more inspiring. Um so there we have it, the reception getting busy, um, and we'll we'll see how the afternoon pans out.

Voice Over 2:45

You're listening to the Cadet to Career Podcast, brought to you by Cadet Vocational College. Improving lives through vocational education. Risha, well done.

Laura Cook 2:54

You've got here in one piece the House of Lords. How are you feeling?

Risha 2:57

I'm feeling absolutely privileged. You know, it's such a jaw-dropping event to be in a room with so many established people, and you know, to make it to the stage. Uh at selection, I'll be honest with you. I was just hoping to enjoy selection. I wasn't thinking about the final stage, made it to the final stage, absolutely loved it, you know, being able to go around Somerset, uh, being able to go around Cow Sharp, being able to go through Wales, and just this is the icing on top of the cake, you know.

Laura Cook 3:28

You really you really sound surprised that you've got to this stage.

Risha 3:31

I mean, you know, I don't think you should ever expect yourself to get to another stage, right? You should enjoy the moment, and that's what I've been trying to do for every single bit of this award.

Laura Cook 3:41

Which bits have you particularly enjoyed? Can you give me some highlights? It sounds like quite a few.

Risha 3:46

I think it definitely has to be the final stage. That part of you no longer feel like you're being as much of a session, it feels more like a family. And it's a really nice especially in the evenings, which we did a little quizzes with ourselves and the staff. It felt really home-like, and then in the morning days, staff would be so supportive, everyone else is supportive of you, you'd go out, go gorge walking, go caving, just things you wouldn't normally do on every Saturday, you know?

Laura Cook 4:13

Yeah, I mean well, how do you top that then? What do you what do you want to achieve after this?

Risha 4:17

I don't know. I mean, after this, I'm desperately trying to look for things flying related. I was very fortunate um the Sunday just been to have gone solo with the Air Cadets, so that's why I have a pair of. Absolutely, and hopefully, I'm going to go to Cranwell and fly in a powered aircraft and fly solo there. And that hopefully it should lead on to a good future with either the RF or a commercial airline.

Laura Cook 4:46

Amazing. No, I mean that sounds inspirational. So your journey has really paid off, hasn't it?

Risha 4:51

I absolutely say that this has been very rewarding. One of the things that the air cadets actually look for when they look in the scholarships, they look for things classical like your D, your Dacur cadet, which is um the top cadet of the RAF Air Cadets, but then you also have ones like the Westminster Award, and that's actually how I found out about it, I'm pretty sure.

unknown 5:10

Okay.

Laura Cook 5:10

Well, that sounds like it's going to be a real thing, a real selling point on your CV, and something that I'm really proud of, proud of. Well, your family are here, and and who's here with you today?

Risha 5:18

Uh my officer commanding flight lieutenant Lifton.

Laura Cook 5:21

Amazing. They're very proud.

Risha 5:23

Absolutely. Well, let's just say the squadron are very proud because you know, to be able to go out and I think I'm one of the first people to start doing the BTEC qualifications right after COVID. And to make it where I am today, you know, and I'm trying to encourage as many people as I can to get involved because it's a free qualification. You get so much out of it, and look at where I am today.

Laura Cook 5:47

You lead on to all sorts of things, can't it?

Risha 5:49

You could somehow end up at the House of Lords.

Laura Cook 5:51

Well done, congratulations, enjoy your day.

Risha 5:54

Thank you so much.

Laura Cook 5:55

Now, looking at a sea cadet here, Charlie, you've got a big beam on your face. You've just arrived, you're looking absolutely fabulous in your uniform. How are you feeling?

Speaker 1 6:03

Very excited to be fair. Uh I'm very excited to see who wins as well. There's lots of people here who definitely deserve it. So, very excited.

Laura Cook 6:12

Tell me about your your journey here, your awards journey.

Speaker 1 6:16

Very long to be honest. So, first we started in Somerset for the the sort of like pre-final, so the selection. That was I think it was a week long. That was pretty good. We did lots of activities there, we had lots of time to sort of bond with one another, form like little teams, little friendships. Then after that, it went on to the final stage, which was down at Cal Shop, and then the second part of the final stage was in Wales as well. And during that we did loads, we did surfing, which I loved. Surfing was the best. I actually managed to stand up as well. There was surfing, windsurfing. Uh what else did we do? Caving. Caving, yes, I loved the caving, the caving was amazing. There was caving, gorge walking. That was pretty good. I'd say one of the biggest challenges is not knowing what we were doing because Andy he wouldn't tell us what we were doing. Uh so we had to sort of just be told what we were back in and then just go there and do the activity. So we didn't know until we were literally until we got there.

Laura Cook 7:22

So literally thrown in the deep end.

Speaker 1 7:24

Literally thrown in the deep end.

Laura Cook 7:25

You you all survived it.

Speaker 1 7:27

Yeah.

Laura Cook 7:27

Tell me a little bit about why Sea Cadets, why did you join?

Speaker 1 7:30

So I originally joined because of my mum, so she was in the Sea Cadets, but then I was like, I would like to do that as well. Then from joining the Sea Cadets, I saw there was there was opportunities to join the Navy and the Royal Marines and things like that. And that's sort of what I hope to do when I'm older, so I want to be in the Marines as an officer. So it's sort of just building myself up and like my personal skills and helping others around me so I can get to that point where I'm able to join the Marines.

Laura Cook 7:59

So how has it been beating other cadets from other disciplines and kind of comparing stories or also noting all the differences between you because that can be celebrated as well, can't it?

Speaker 1 8:10

Yes, so my cadets is a lot different to some others. So others may have to go through like interviews and stuff like that to get certain ranks, whereas we have sort of the same process where we do have like time they need to serve to be able to get the next rank, but ours is more based off experience, so if you have the experience, you're able to go for the next rank up. So obviously I'm a high-rank is cadet submerging, which I've now achieved, which was definitely a long journey as well. But it's definitely a lot different to other cadet forces, like ours is more of a charity-based, so we have to sort of try and find funding for our own stuff, whereas others may get quite a bit more money off the government.

Laura Cook 8:52

So it's very interesting to see all those and to compare stories, like you say.

Speaker 1 8:56

Oh, yeah, 100%. Like some of the stories I've heard from the air cadets going to like react the Royal International Air Tattoo. That sounds amazing, whereas we've never had that, but then we've got other opportunities as well. Like we've got uh all of our fleet of ships, like Tears Royalist, and the yachts and the powerboats and everything like that, which I've been on quite a few times, so it's pretty good, yeah.

Laura Cook 9:19

Esme, we're standing on the terrace at the House of Lords, overlooking the Thames, the London Eye behind us, Houses of Parliament. How are you feeling? Excited, yeah.

Speaker 6 9:27

I've never been here before. I've always seen it from a distance, but it's nice to be here and see what it's like actually inside.

Laura Cook 9:33

Being a finalist in the Westminster Awards, how does that feel?

Speaker 6 9:37

Amazing, yeah. Um I didn't actually know I'd get this far, so being here's an achievement.

Speaker 8 9:43

Yeah.

Speaker 6 9:44

Tell me about the journey, tell me about the expeditions and how how what you've what you've learned about yourself. Well, we first went to uh the semis, um, which was something I'm not used to. My first like time away with St. John to do like a competition. That was very like you had to do so many activities, so that was different, but it was fun. Um and then the final was completely different, um, and we did so many fun things like surfing and yeah, really good.

Laura Cook 10:15

Amazing. What what made you choose? So you're standing here in your central ambulance uh at uniform, what made you start off this embark on this journey?

Speaker 6 10:23

Well, my older sister did it last year, so that's how I knew of it. And then my um cadet group got told about it and said, Why don't you put your name down and try it? I did, and then I got selected, and now I'm here. It's amazing. Wonderful. Who's here with you today? My mum, my dad, and Paul who put me through. Very proud, obviously.

Laura Cook 10:42

Very proud. Talk to them possibly in a minute, but what what uh what does it mean seeing all your friends as well? Because you must have developed some really good bonds from um from being out on doing all your expeditions and things.

Speaker 6 10:53

Yeah, it's great. I mean we haven't seen each other for a couple weeks now, um, but nice seeing each other, and we're definitely gonna hang out afterwards. Yeah, what next for you onwards from here? Oh while I'm still at college. So putting this on my CV um and doing what I can to help out. What what feedback have you had about from?

Laura Cook 11:10

I mean, have you had any interviews or anything? Because it's it's great to have something like this on your CV, and certainly other cadets I've spoken to, the feedback that they've had, it's sort of you know that's that's the impressive thing that the people have spotted on it.

Speaker 6 11:22

Yeah, uh well, I'm still at college, so I haven't been able to send it through yet, but already telling my college tutors they're really impressed, and I took the day off and they're like, that's fine, they wish they were here. So you can go back with all the pictures and all the stories.

Laura Cook 11:35

Well done, congratulations for getting this far. Thank you. Jason, another finalist here today at the House of Lords. How are you feeling? In your regalia, your your RAS cadets. Um tell me about how you're feeling at the moment ahead of the awards ceremony.

Speaker 12 11:49

I'm excited to be here. Um, yeah, I mean, I've been looking on social media what it's like, so I'm really excited to you know go to the lunch, see the presentations, um, go for the tour. So, yeah, really excited for today. Um, yeah, it's amazing.

Laura Cook 12:02

You brought your mum and dad here, House of Lords. How are you feeling? Excited to excited to come wait. How are you feeling your your son getting to be a finalist at the Westminster?

Risha 12:12

Very happy, and yeah, as they said to be an excited proud and yeah.

Laura Cook 12:17

Absolutely. Jason, what what started you off with the cadets? Tell me about why you started them.

Speaker 12 12:22

Um so I've always been like interested in aviation and have wanted to fly. So when I was 13, um I just searched up online like how can 13-year-olds fly? So sign up for the cadets, and yeah, it's been that ever since yeah, seven years going, so um yeah, age out in February, but hopefully going on a staff afterwards. So excited for that. Yeah.

Laura Cook 12:43

What's it taught you? What sum up for me what it's taught you?

Speaker 12 12:46

I mean it's taught me many things, but you know, working as with with other people my age, um, working together as a team, I think that's the best thing it's taught me, you know, how to you know work with different minds, different thinkings, um, but yeah, but like all the fun experiences as well on top of that.

Laura Cook 13:01

Yeah, and who's mentored you through this process as well?

Speaker 12 13:04

So uh the person who's nominated me is flying officer Amy Seymour from my squadron. Um, yeah, she's been a big help in the cadets and the entire staff on my squadron, all three um the Seymour's as you call them, the flight lieutenant, flying officer, the flight sergeant, as well as um the other staff as well. They've been a big help in this entire process when it comes to um, you know, when it came to the interview, when it came to essay and all sorts, yeah.

Laura Cook 13:29

Putting everything into practice, isn't it, from your cadet journey? It kind of solidifies it all and puts it all into perspective, doesn't it?

Speaker 12 13:36

Yeah, it does. I mean, I I went in quite blind, so I don't know what to expect, but you know, from the get-go, they they were looking at looking at you as a person, you know, um seeing how well you can work together with other people, especially from different organisations. So yeah, it's it was really interesting to see that into practice, but you know, really worthwhile at the same time.

Laura Cook 13:55

If I can ask you, put you on the spot, what's the what's the most surprising thing that you learned about yourself from this process, the the award ceremony, the expedition, the challenges that you're sort of putting into practice? What surprised you the most about yourself?

Speaker 12 14:07

I think what surprised me the most was I could do more things with other people than I can on myself. Um yeah, I I tend to do things independently, but if I if I you know join in with other people, you know, with one goal in mind, I could I could do a lot. Yeah.

Laura Cook 14:22

Advice that you'd give to anybody else wanting to embark on any of the cadet courses?

Speaker 12 14:26

Oh, just go for it, you know. You don't know until you try, so yeah, just do it.

Laura Cook 14:30

Congratulations for getting this. So enjoy your whole day.

Speaker 12 14:33

Thank you.

Laura Cook 14:34

So, Hanan, St. John Ambulance, you're standing here looking absolutely glorious in in your regalia and everything.

Speaker 17 14:40

How are you feeling today? Mixture of excited and nervous, I think. Excited that it's finally come. Obviously, the House of Lords was the end goal and being here today, a bit nervous because I know what to expect. Obviously, don't know who's got what, but really excited to find out and just see everyone after our journey through selection and finalists, and just making great friends and being able to see them today.

Laura Cook 15:01

Absolutely. Tell me about that journey, what the selection process and your expeditions and everything must have been incredibly exciting and challenging.

Speaker 17 15:07

Yeah, so I think my journey started when I did the level two B Tech, which is what you needed to get through. Um I did it up in Birmingham, did a two-day, three-day weekend, I think. Um we did activities like bellboating and zip lining, which was fun because it was my first cadet camp, first time away from home. Um then selection, going through to selection was great. It was definitely I'm saying to an ambulance, so I wasn't used to as much physical exercise as the rest were. It was really fun, got to do a lot of activities to make great friends, really enjoyed doing karaoke that we did one night. Um then finding out I was through to finalists, didn't think I was gonna get through, but it was an amazing feeling to get through and being able to see everyone. A lot of people I'd met at selection had also got through to finalists, and then obviously the 10-day expedition in Wales and Southampton was great. Getting to do a wide range of activities.

Laura Cook 15:53

I've heard about the uh potholing, that must be particularly challenging. What sorry?

Speaker 17 15:57

The potholing in the Wales. So did you know go down the caves and things? Yes, going down the caves, yes. Um that was a fear of mine, but everyone was great and welcoming, and it was definitely a great time. It was a nice adventure, first time doing it.

Laura Cook 16:09

So from here, it it sounds great that you're looking at looking forward to seeing all the friends. I mean, the bonds that you you have must be tick particularly strong going through this whole process.

Speaker 17 16:18

What what what do you hope to achieve then going on from here? Uh I'm going to Oxford Brooks University to study paramedic science, so St. John Ambulance has definitely helped a lot with that, and even the CB College has helped a lot with having my teamwork and uh my teamwork and teamwork and personal development, the community uh qualification, and my ILM three in leadership and management. Being able to talk about that in my interviews was definitely a great thing. All the experience I had with St. John Ambulance and being able to say, you know, I'm not only I'm not gonna just say I can do it, I have done it before, and being able to have that experience to back myself up. So yeah, the hopefully the plan going forward is for paramedic.

Laura Cook 16:52

You were clearly passionate about it and learned a lot. What would you say to anybody else who were kind of looking for something a bit more challenging or looking for something else to do?

Speaker 17 17:01

How would you sell it to them? I would say take the leap. It was definitely nerve-wracking at first, not having that experience and not really knowing what to expect. But every step of the way I felt, you know, I felt reassured, everyone's helped me through it. Any nerves any of us have had, everyone's been very welcoming and very accommodating to anybody's needs. So I would say just do it. It's a great opportunity. I've got to do a bunch of things I've never done and be able to do them for the first time. So if you're looking for new experiences, the Westminster Award is great for it. Amazing.

Laura Cook 17:28

Well, congratulations on getting this far and being a finalist. Enjoy your day. Thank you, Yuti. Okay, Ben, hello. Well done for getting to this finalist day at the um Westminster Awards. How are you feeling here at the House of Lords?

Speaker 11 17:41

Um very good, it's an honour to be here, and it's a great achievement to get this far. Even if I don't win, it's still a great achievement to be one of the only C cadets to get here.

Laura Cook 17:51

So tell me about the C cadets, tell me about your journey here and and what you're involved in with the C cadets.

Speaker 11 17:57

So I've been in the organisation eight and a half years. I've gone all the way through and I've achieved everything I possibly can. I'm now a staff member, so I'm now giving back to the organisation to help other cadets get to where I got to within the organisation.

Laura Cook 18:12

Isn't that a part of it? Is it rewarding so you can learn and then you can give back, like you say, what the journey that you've been on, and then you can help anyone else coming through.

Speaker 11 18:21

Yeah, very much so. I I'll definitely say that through my career having staff and that that would support me, it's nice to be a staff member that I can give the cadets opportunities, even if not more opportunities than I got when I was in there.

Laura Cook 18:35

Tell me about this uh process for the um Westminster Awards, because um you've had some quite challenging things to do, quite exciting things to do as well.

Speaker 11 18:43

Yeah, so um after being nominated, we had to create a little presentation about ourselves, uh, about a SWOT analysis of our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. After that, we then got selected to stage three, which was down in Somerset. We had lots of activities to involve in leadership and teamwork that we had to participate in, and then after being there, we then went down to Southampton and Wales to the final stage in the expedition, which was mostly uh um trying new things and bonding experiences and creating memories that will hopefully last us a lifetime.

Laura Cook 19:17

Absolutely, and yeah, friends, friendships as well, then those bonds are very important, aren't they?

Speaker 11 19:21

Oh definitely, and I think that's what made this year's team so much better was the bonds that we had all together. It definitely made it more enjoyable for us.

Laura Cook 19:31

And talk to me about this the House of Lords being here and the and on the terrace and having the lunch here is is is quite something, isn't it, to round it all off.

Speaker 11 19:38

Oh definitely. I I I think it's a great way to end the year and end this year's selection at the House of Lords.

Laura Cook 19:46

Well, thank you. Well done for getting to this stage and good luck.

Speaker 11 19:48

Thank you very much.

Laura Cook 19:49

So obviously, a big part of this are the finalists at the Westminster Awards standing here at the um the House of Lords. But but I've just spoken to Ben and Dad Steve is standing here with a very proud look on your face. I mean, how do you feel about being here today?

Speaker 9 20:04

Oh well, immensely proud. I mean, he's done wonders. I mean he's he's an advocate for what he's done for the sea cadets, you know. He's he's done whole sort of organisation proud, you know. And he's I think he's bel I believe he's the only C cadet in prison at the moment. So you know, he's he's done the unit and and the call, very proud.

Laura Cook 20:24

Tell me about his journey that he's been on for you know from the C cadets, how he's developed as a person from the start off.

Speaker 9 20:31

Uh it could be a long time. Now's your choice, yeah. Now's your choice. He's um well, when he started, you know, he was just a what nine, ten, you know, he's a junior. Um he he just he he just got into it straight away. It was his it was his passion straight away. Um he's he's excelled in everything he's done, he's enjoyed everything he's done, you know, through his whole career. Um all these courses he's achieved, um the friends he's made. Um yeah, he's he's done wonders. He has done wonders.

Laura Cook 21:07

And standing here in the terrace of the House of Lords and having a lovely lunch today. I mean, this is this is what you've you brought him up to do, and now he's gonna look after you and keep you in the manner you become accustomed to.

Speaker 9 21:17

That's it, yeah. Well, what you know, my lattice, you know, it'd be nice to be looked to after a little bit now.

Laura Cook 21:22

And Ruth, you're standing here very, very proud. Tell me about your involvement in in Ben's journey.

Speaker 19 21:27

Um, so I've known Ben obviously s ever since he started first with us, and he's always been sort of always ready and willing to put himself forward to things. I've never had to tell him you need to do this, he's just straight away put himself forward to for it. So it must be very special for you to see this at the House of Lords today. Yes, it's a very proud achievement.

Laura Cook 21:45

Lisa Owen from Northampton, you're standing here in a lovely uniform, fabulous, big smile on your face. I mean, it must be very special for you here at the House of Lords being a finalist today.

Speaker 4 21:55

Yeah, it's an absolute honour. Like I'm over the moon to be where I am. It's an amazing. I didn't think coming from because I started my cadet force like I was one of the original lot because I was only started about three and a half years ago and I would never have pictured myself here four years ago. But it's amazing.

Laura Cook 22:13

So what made you embark on this journey anyway, right from the start? Because you're a combined cadet force, aren't you? So what made you kind of look into this and start this off?

Speaker 4 22:22

Um initially I was more of a shy individual, so I knew that cadets like the qualities associated with joining the cadets would give you that confidence, leadership, and those core teamwork skills that I actually think as a young person would really benefit me, not only in getting myself to come out of my shell, but also in helping me in my future.

Laura Cook 22:44

I think you've probably had lots of lots of challenges along the way, not only with um obviously your CCS days, but also this this whole Westminster Award process. Tell me a little bit more about that and the particular challenges that you found.

Speaker 4 22:58

I think there's there's as you said, there's definitely been challenges along the way, but I think they just make you stronger. For example, when we went away on the final, caving I would say is was one of my most trickiest mentally because you think, oh my gosh, you're in a you're in a cave. Um but I think it makes you stronger, and coming out of it, that sense of pride and overcoming that challenge is amazing, and I think that's what allows you to progress to the person I am today, all the stuff that you've gone through. I think that makes you who you are. Amazing.

Laura Cook 23:34

And the bonds that you then the friendships that you then you then develop, I mean that that trust issue, the all the challenges that you kind of put they put to you in this in this process. Um it must be very special and seeing all of the other finalists here today as well.

Speaker 4 23:46

Oh my gosh, it's amazing. Like I've I think I've got lifelong friends here, like I know I have, they're amazing. I think you you make a bond when you're together for 10 days that I don't think I'll ever have with anybody else, and they're all incredible. I love them. Going on from here, what what are you what are your hopes and um and goals? Um I'm hoping to do engineering, um, mechanical engineering at uni, hopefully, and potentially take that into the Royal Navy. Um I've got um a scholarship to hopefully go to uni next year.

Laura Cook 24:19

Wonderful, well done. Lots of good luck for today and um enjoy the day. Keep that smile going, all right. Thank you. Jonathan, we're here at the House of Lords, big smile on your face. It's a very, very special day being a finalist here in the Westminster Wars. How are you feeling?

Speaker 10 24:34

I'm feeling fantastic. I'm really, really happy to be here. Uh the journey from initial application and selection to the finals, and now to be here, it's it's really, really, really special, so I'm really looking forward to it.

Laura Cook 24:43

Tell me about your cadet journey. You're standing here in your wonderful uniform. Tell me about how you got started.

Speaker 10 24:48

God, so I I joined in for me, it was year nine because it's CCF, so we do it in school. Um and the man who convinced me to join is knocking around here somewhere, so he came with as my guest today. Um, and it's been it's been a strange journey because initially I didn't want to join, it was it was something that I was a little bit sort of scared and worried to do, but uh getting through it these past four years and being here now is is is really really really special, so it's nice to look back on and see just how far I've come.

Laura Cook 25:11

Absolutely, and some of the friendships. I mean, you're standing here with your your colleagues, your fellow finalists here. I mean, you must have developed some really strong friendships.

Speaker 10 25:18

Yeah, absolutely. I think that that's probably the the best part of it is being here with this group of people, it's a fantastic group, um and sort of getting to know each other and and yeah, just having a great time.

Laura Cook 25:28

What's been the biggest challenge throughout this whole process? The the expeditions and and um and the all the all the stages of the Westminster Awards?

Speaker 10 25:36

Uh I think the biggest challenge for me has been um just sort of knowing that I need to dive into things. So instead of sort of thinking so much of would I be good at this, am I going to enjoy this? Just going, doesn't matter, just try it and then see what happens, and if I enjoy it, I enjoy it, and if I don't, I've done it anyway, at least I know for next time.

unknown 25:52

Absolutely.

Laura Cook 25:53

Well what are you going to kind of move on? What what lessons have you learned for your your life ahead and what do you what are you hoping to achieve?

Speaker 10 26:00

Well, I trust myself is thing number one, trust myself and my abilities. Um trust that I I know what I'm doing, and that sometimes it's good to try and push past what you think you can do to sort of realise you can achieve more of the next time push up even further and just sort of keep pushing. Um and I think that's something that I've learned throughout this process that's really going to help me, especially for sort of the next stage of my life.

Laura Cook 26:20

Absolutely. Well, congratulations for getting this far. Enjoy your day. Ayla, if I can move on to you. You're standing here in your your equally splendid uniform, all three of you. Tell me a little bit about yourself and um your cadet journey.

Speaker 3 26:33

Um I started two years ago in Cambridgeshire ACF, and it's been a whirlwind of a journey. I've learned so many things, only even with only being in for two years, I've had such a brilliant experience and it's just surreal, that's all I can say.

Laura Cook 26:46

And the Westminster Awards, tell me about your expeditions and um because I've heard about the caving, I've heard about the surfing, I've heard about all these things. I mean it terrifies the living daylights out of me, but um how have you enjoyed it?

Speaker 3 26:58

Um it's just been an a wonderful experience, just trying everything, having a go at some things I've never done before, like caving, as Jonathan said. But I'm just happy I've done it, and it's just I'm so proud of myself for having a go and being here and making it to the final as well. Absolutely. And how are you feeling here at the House of Lords? I mean, this is this is like the icing on the cake, isn't it? Yeah, it is, it's wonderful, it's a lovely building. It's just I never thought I'd be here, so I'm so happy to be here. What would you say to other people wanting to embark on a journey like this? I'd say to definitely have a go and try your best because if there were some challenges which you we all overcame as a team, and it's been the best experience of my life so far, so I I've advocated for everyone. Absolutely.

Laura Cook 27:40

Charlotte, if I can move on to you, tell me about your cadet journey.

Speaker 5 27:44

Oh, yeah, so I joined four years ago in like the Dorset ACF, and it's just been an incredible experience. So I joined after I finished girl guiding, and I thought, oh, I might not like it, but I've absolutely loved it, and I would encourage anybody that wants to give it a go to have a go.

Laura Cook 28:00

And what are you going to move on from here? What are you hoping to um to do in what you've got all your years ahead of you? What are you hoping to achieve?

Speaker 5 28:07

Um well I'm hoping to go to university and study nursing and then specialise in mental health. So yeah.

Laura Cook 28:15

Amazing.

Speaker 5 28:15

And who have you who have you got here to support you? Who have you got um today? I've got my mum and my dad, and then I have my detachment commander with me as well. So yeah, they've supported me the whole time.

Laura Cook 28:26

So congratulations for all of you three getting here. Enjoy your day, enjoy every minute of it, try to remember every minute of it. Congratulations, thank you so much, Scarlett. Well done. You're you've achieved a great thing getting here, the finalist at the Westminster Awards, and you're here at the House of Lords. How are you feeling today?

Speaker 7 28:43

It's pretty mad experience. Um, I think when I signed up, definitely wasn't expecting to get here. Um, it's really an amazing place, like it's amazing that we've actually got this venue as well.

Laura Cook 28:55

Tell me about your journey then. You're here in your wonderful um RAF cadets uniform. Tell me about why you started, why you joined.

Speaker 7 29:04

Um, so I started cadets about three years ago. Um we have Army and Air Cadets nearby, so it's either going to be one of the two. And um, to be honest, I just watched Top Gun for the first time, and um that was sort of the starting point for me, really. I just thought it was really cool.

Laura Cook 29:25

I love that. I was I don't know what I was expecting, but that's as good a reason as any. Tom Cruise has has inspired you to join your journey. And tell me about the Westminster Awards and then putting all your learning that you've used into practice and and uh the challenges that were put along the way. Tell me a bit about that.

Speaker 7 29:42

Yeah, I mean you learn a lot about leadership and teamwork, basically, those are the top two things that you learn about um throughout the awards. Um I'd say I've just been sort of really trying to tie it back to cadets and also like uh working stars in the in the workplace, um, have a couple part-time jobs, so it comes in handy there actually, as well as in cadets. Um but yeah, it's just like really knowing how to be a good team member and um finding tips and ideas and along the way. Any any particular scary moments along the way in the expedition? Definitely the caving. That was terrifying. You're just in pitch darkness, and there's no difference between closing your eyes and having them open. Um, yeah, that was definitely one of the scariest moments. You had to really rely on your your other team members, your other finalists and everything. Yeah, like you're sort of reassuring each other, helping each other through, especially those tiny little nooks and crannies, you've really got to just it's just trusting your team and also the guides taking us through the caves because if we lost him, then we would just be trapped in there.

Laura Cook 30:43

It doesn't it does bear thinking about mum and dad, you're standing here, you're you're shuddering at the very thought, aren't you? Definitely, I I couldn't do it. I couldn't be in that tiny space. No, no, no. Tell me about your feelings today being here. You must be so proud of your daughter.

Speaker 14 30:58

Yeah, I think it's pride, you know, Scott's work really hard to get to this this point, really enjoyed the journey, so it's been great for us to sort of watch her growing with forming a bond with the rest of the uh the sort of I don't know, they're not finalists, but I don't know the other the others that are still left in in the competition. So yeah, it's been a really proud moment for us.

Speaker 18 31:15

I think they're all winners. The fact that they've got through to the last 12, they're all winners. And what is really weird is the painting of Floella Benjamin up there. She actually um gave Scarlett her year four award at school. Um and it really kind of how strange is life. Um she was the prize giver, so it's you know you feel like sometimes you're kind of where it's meant to be.

Laura Cook 31:47

Things happen for a reason, precisely that. How has she changed and developed and you've seen her? Obviously, you're very proud of her, but if I can ask you to sum up what the cadet journey has done for her, what you would say to other parents looking at something else that their children can do.

Speaker 14 32:02

I think Scarlett went to an all-girls school and and and wanted herself to join the cadets and do something a bit different and get more experience, and it's really done that, it's given her a huge amount of confidence. Uh, it's taught her leadership and all the all the involvement with the Cadet Vocational College has really made a huge difference to Scarlett.

Speaker 18 32:20

And the challenges as well, I think. Um she did Pedal Overlord, which won the Shackleton Prize for Adventures and really pushed her outside of her comfort zone, physically, very very challenging. But actually, when she came back from that, she felt that anything was then achievable because it had been such a monumental effort to fulfil what their plan was. Um but everything the camaraderie, the friendships, the structure, um just everything about it has enriched her life, actually.

Laura Cook 33:01

And I was talking to another another father over there saying you're keeping your parents in the manner they've become accustomed to, aren't you now? It's only upwards for you guys. House of Lords, net and then.

Speaker 18 33:15

So she takes us to all the best places.

Laura Cook 33:17

Oh well, there's no pressure for the future life, is there, Scarlett? Well done for today. All of you enjoy your day.

Speaker 8 33:22

Thank you.

Laura Cook 33:23

Sky, we're standing here, magnificent view, as always, at this time of year, the London Eye there, the House of Lords standing on the terrace here. How are you feeling today on this wonderful day of the Westminster Awards?

Guy Horidge 33:36

Well, I can only say fantastic. It's such a great day. It's a real privilege to be here at the House of Lords, as you say, when you look out at an unrivalled view of the Thames, and a very rare view because you'll get it once or twice in your lifetime, or maybe a few more of your lucky. But for most people, this might be the only time they do it. And I'm excited because we've got twelve amazing young people who have been phenomenal over the last year, and to see them again puts a little bit of a spring in my step.

Laura Cook 34:09

It does put a spring in your stem, and you can tell when you're standing up there and you're obviously doing the awards and seeing what they've been through and the whole process, it must be incredibly rewarding.

Guy Horidge 34:20

It is. I think to be part of a process, to see somebody develop, learn new skills, and go on and do great things, just to be part of that process is a is a privilege and it's a treat, and I love it. I really do.

Laura Cook 34:35

Tell me a bit more about the three weeks across Hampshire, wreck and beacons from anywhere else. I mean it's a it's a great process, isn't it?

Guy Horidge 34:43

It is. And we deliberately divide it into two parts. We go down to Cowshot, which is near Southampton, where it's all the waterboard sports we do, but we're giving them things hopefully they haven't done before. So they went surfing, which I have to say turns out to be their most favourite activity. Uh they did um board sailing. But there's other things about the Vellodrome. And I've never been in a Vellodrome until I went on Western and said, Oh my goodness, they study the sides. They're very scary. My goodness, you get on a bike and you go, ooh, I'm not going up. It's like a barrel. And it's it's sort of making them learn new skills and overcoming fear. When they finish that, we drive down a Garstone Hange, because most of them probably haven't seen Stonehenge, and Willworth is off, uh, into the middle of Wales near the Breck and Beacons. We have any fan, a very iconic fan, maybe or a miniature person at all, overlooking us. And we do different sorts of sports. But I think again, it's it's challenging them. They we do some gorge walking where they go along and jump through waterfalls and dance about. But actually the most challenging one we have found for them has been the pot holding. And they go in caves. And if I could tell you that, or the slim man that I'm not, I can't get through a couple of those points. They're very narrow. There's a famous place box where they have to go on their side and pull them through. That is a real test of courage and overcoming a personal uh challenge. They all do it. I think that's incredible.

Laura Cook 36:18

Absolutely incredible. And I mean thinking about it and you describing it, it just makes me. I mean, I'm not hugely cross-rophobic, but that would really test me. And and it does. I mean, that the whole teamwork, everything that they have then built from their journey with the Cadet College, it's I mean it's putting all of that into practice, isn't it?

Guy Horidge 36:35

Absolutely, and what it has given them is massive skills, head and shoulders above other people of their age. So when they're going on to university, employment, whatever it is, they've got things that other people don't have, so they shine like that beacon, and I just think it makes them the most wonderful people to employ.

Laura Cook 36:53

Did you get in a wetsuit for the surfing? Can I ask that?

Guy Horidge 36:57

I have to say that unfortunately I I wasn't able to because they didn't have enough, and so I very kindly stood back. But actually the surfing I would have happily have done is the is the pots, the pot holding that I was a little bit nervous about.

Laura Cook 37:11

From seeing uh we've got Harry here who was last year's winner, um, it must be very rewarding for you to see where they go from here, the journey that you get them to here, and then the journey onwards as well.

Guy Horidge 37:22

It is, and if you take Harry, for example, he's a very confident young man now. He came back as one of our sort of supporters, so he was he was if you like he was on our side in the assessment, but he was also that link between the finalists and ourselves because he understands what it's like to go through it, and that's a great another great learning critic, another skill he has achieved. Harry, he came to speak to an audience of nearly 300 people about his experiences in the cadet. Well, who does that at that age, at the age of 19, 18? Who stands at the and stood in front of a group of 300 people and told them about their career? I think that's pretty brave.

Laura Cook 38:03

Absolutely. And it's great to see the parents as well, isn't it, here? And the people who've kind of brought them on their journey as well. It's great to have the have this moment for them.

Guy Horidge 38:11

It is, I think twofold. One is that the parents have often given up a lot of their time to take them to cadets and take them to the other thing, other activities. And the second is they can see how brilliant their young people are. They actually can already see how brilliant their uh offspring are.

Laura Cook 38:31

Absolutely. Well, Guy, thank you very much. Anything new coming up with the um the cadet vocational college, anything new on the horizon? Things keep you very busy, I know that. But uh anything exciting coming up?

Guy Horidge 38:43

I think I think anything new, the answer is probably not at the moment. Anything exciting, yes, it is our new, it's our new academic year. Uh another three, four thousand young people are going to be registering with us, and that's got to be exciting.

Laura Cook 38:56

Absolutely. Keep it on, keep going, keep that smile, and let's keep the sun shining for as long as we can here at the House of Lords.

Guy Horidge 39:02

Super Laura, thank you so much.

Voice Over 39:05

You're listening to the Cadet to Career Podcast brought to you by Cadet Vocational College, improving lives through vocational education.

Guy Horidge 39:13

And this award goes to the finalist who displays exceptional insights into their leadership and management style. I have to say this person's work was one of the best I've seen. They um got distinction in just about every section. And the award, the ILM Achievement Award, goes to Lita Owen. Now we come to the Lord Lingfield Medal. This is a medal for overall achievement that goes to somebody who's demonstrated a depth of character and maturity beyond their years. They proved to be a very thoughtful, caring person who was able to use their life experiences to add colour and depth to our shared experiences. A lovely personality, easy person to get to know. This year's winner of the Lincoln Medal is Rishad Chatterjee. And we now finally move to our overall 2025 winner, the one I was going to announce, but didn't. This finalist impressed me from the very beginning of the award process. They didn't shout to get noticed for the sake of being noticed. They did not perform when they thought they were being watched, and then switch off when they weren't. In fact, some of their best work was unseen when they didn't think people were watching. But we do have eyes everywhere. Not cameras, I hasten to add just a bit. They were intuitive in helping others, they showed genuine care in everything they did, and they ensured as best they could that all the finalists had an equal chance of success. To be a Westminster Wheeler, you have to embody all just good at young people, but everyone here does that. Even when it's not the easiest thing to do. And it's having moral integrity, it's standing up for what is right, particularly when it goes against the flow. It's knowing what is right instinctively and regardless of what others might say. The young person chosen as the Vocational College Westminster Award winner for 2025 showed this quality and many others throughout the entire process. And in doing so, they set a wonderful example to everyone. The 2025 winner of the Westminster Award goes to Charlotte Bedford from Daughter Darby.

Speaker 5 42:22

Um I'm literally I'm in a state of shock, honestly. I'm so excited right now.

Laura Cook 42:28

When you were hearing that guy reading out all those so wonderful words and tributes to all of the finalists here today because you're all winners at the end of the day. Yeah, but there's something very special about being the winner and coming through all the challenges and all the things that you had to do through the process. I mean it's quite an achievement for you.

Speaker 5 42:47

Yeah, I'm honestly I'm so proud of everybody here, and I'm honoured that I was chosen, and yeah, I'm just so I'm so happy. Talk me through then the process, talk me through the expeditions and all the particular challenges that you faced. Yeah, so the first expedition that we did was back in April, and we just did lots of different command tasks and things like that, and then the most recent one was in August, and we did lots of different activities. So we did surfing, winged surfing, caving, which was a big challenge for me, and then we went on a boat ride and a terrified boat. So it was really just an experience where everybody was pushed to their limits and they showed themselves that actually when you think you're done, you're not, you can always push yourself further, and that's one of the like the biggest things that I've taken away from this whole experience.

Laura Cook 43:34

We saw you on the video there, and and quite um quite honest words that you were saying about how what you've learned about yourself on all of this.

Speaker 5 43:44

Tell me a bit more about that. Yeah, so at the beginning I was I wasn't shy, but I was very inside my shell. I didn't really know what to do, around loads of people that I've never met before, and then as we came into the final expedition, I just Went straight into it, I thought, well, actually, there's nothing to lose, and you just gotta be yourself and just really throw yourself into everything that's presented to you.

Laura Cook 44:09

And your team members, your fellow finalists, well, the people who were through the the whole all the challenges along the way, lifelong friends?

Speaker 5 44:17

Oh absolutely, yeah. I honestly, when I met them again on the expedition, I was like, yeah, this is this is friendship for life.

Laura Cook 44:25

Tell me about how today has been. It's quite a quite an achievement to be a finalist, but then being here on the terrace of the House of Lords, it's quite special.

Speaker 5 44:33

Yeah, it really was. When we were walking along Westminster Bridge, we saw all the um decorations and everything out, and I was thinking, oh, I wonder if we're sat there. And then we came in and I was like, oh, we are we are sat here, and it's just an incredible building with lots of history, and yeah, I'm really honoured to have been able to come here today. You're going to be going around the House of Lords and having a little bit more of a look.

Laura Cook 44:54

Tell me about what this experience means for you then going forward, what you're going to take from it, and and maybe what what advice you'd give to other people, possibly looking at it.

Speaker 5 45:04

Yeah, well, just in everyday life, just be yourself. I mean, like I said um a second ago, you've got nothing to lose. If you throw yourself into everything that is thrown at you, then what's the worst that can happen? You decide you don't like it, well that's fine, you don't have to do it again. But you could come out and think, oh I absolutely love that. So yeah. Who's here to support you today? So I have my mum and my dad, and then my detachment commander as well, who nominated me for this award. And what next for you in life? So I'd like to go, or I'd like to finish my A levels first and then go to university, study nursing, and then specialise in mental health.

Laura Cook 45:43

So yeah, congratulations, well done for winning the award today.

Speaker 5 45:47

Thank you so much.

Laura Cook 45:48

Richard, well done. How does that feel? You got the Lord Lingfield Medal, didn't you? I mean, that was just incredible round off today.

Risha 45:57

Absolutely, you know, I'm in just such awe, and it's been such a privilege, as I said before, it's been such a privilege just to be here today, to have the opportunity to look around the House of Lords, to meet such great people, and generally get to know some people who have such a wealth of knowledge behind them and who can who are very uh readily and freely willing to give away this knowledge to help us today. Honestly, I think we're all very grateful to be here today.

Laura Cook 46:30

Um when they were awarding the Lord Linfield Medal, it was very much there was the the um the announcement and the speech that uh the guy was making was very much a likable character, you're very approachable, you're very meanable, you're you're you're talking to you are a bit like a sponge, taking every bit of experience and every every bit of knowledge that you possibly can. Does that sort of sum up your character?

Risha 46:53

I hope so. I try to be a friendly face. It's always what I've aspire to be, you know, regardless of who you are, if you need help, or if there's anything that I can do to just improve your comfort, that's who I want to be. I want to be in a friendly face, and I just want to you know give back to the community for so much they've given to me.

Laura Cook 47:12

Let's come across today. Congratulations for your award.

Risha 47:15

Thank you so much.

Laura Cook 47:16

Well done, congratulations, you just had your photos taken and then well done for your ILM award as well. Congratulations.

Speaker 4 47:23

Honestly, I I'm over the moon. I can't I genuinely can't believe it. I remember writing it and to think I've just managed to win the award is incredible.

Laura Cook 47:33

And what did you put in it? What was the what do you remember kind of structuring it and thinking about what you were going to record?

Speaker 4 47:40

Yeah, I remember like planning out what I was going to do, writing all my management and leadership tasks that I'd done in all of my like four years of cadets. It's a lot it was a lot of work, but I think it was worth it to think through the process and write it down on paper.

Laura Cook 47:54

I mean we talked about the the ILM award and you know what what you're particularly looking at because Guy made reference to the fact that it's it's quite a lot of the time it's people who are older than you um getting this experience and using it, so it is quite special to have, isn't it?

Speaker 4 48:07

Yeah, it's really valuable because I think I think in this society today we a lot of a lot of us do A levels, we all have like qualifications that we do at school, but I think it's these vocational ones that you stand out and I think it's the stuff that celebrates all the other things in life. Absolutely. And it'll take you on, it'll be really noticeable on your CV, won't it?

Laura Cook 48:31

Most definitely. I'm looking forward to throwing it on with my likes. You carry on celebrating. I think we can hear in the background the celebrations are not going to stop anytime soon. Congratulations. Thank you. So, Lord Lingfield, the Chair of Trustees at the CB College, how have you felt today? Has gone. It's been a wonderful day, hasn't it?

Lord Lingfield 48:48

It's been an absolutely marvellous day. It's been great for me to meet the dozen cadets who won this year the Westminster Awards, and to see once again the huge excitement as well as that adherence to the cadet values uh coming along in a new set of cadets. Every year I'm amazed by them and delighted particularly to be here this year.

Laura Cook 49:14

You've just taken them round for their tour of the House of Lords because that just puts the icing on the cake for them after such a magnificent day at the awards. What do you think they how special is it, the place that they hold in like future generations, setting a really good example for future generations?

Lord Lingfield 49:31

Well, I think it's so important uh that young people should be members of cadets. I really do, and I hope we should see many more people. Luckily, um the last government this government sees the huge advantages which come from cadets and encouraging young people to join. I hope as many as possible will, because as you can see from the young people here today, uh they have been doing wonderful things, and I'm sure that their future lives will be much enhanced by all they've learnt in cadets and all they've learnt in the Westminster Award.

Laura Cook 50:07

The friendships that they gain. We can see Harry there, who was last year's winner. They love coming back, don't they? It's a very much part of their lives.

Lord Lingfield 50:14

Yes, and we are so grateful to see them encouraging the next year's set of cadets.

Laura Cook 50:21

Well, the families and VIP guests here at the House of Lords are still mingling on this famous terrace overlooking the River Thames and Westminster Bridge. The cadets have left for their exclusive tour of the House of Lords with Lord Lingfield, and the reigning guests will soon be served afternoon tea, all very civilised. I can't think of a more prestigious and lovely setting for cake and tea. Once again, it's been an incredible day of smiles and some tears, good ones of course, but most of all a celebration of some outstanding young people who are all an inspiration to us. As they say, they're all winners, having made it through to the final, beating thousands of eligible CV college learners and then rising to the challenge of the selection and expedition events. Special congratulations must go to the ILM winner Lisa Owen, Lingfield Medal winner Rishab Chatterjee, and of course Westminster Award winner for 2025 Charlotte Bedford. Such great achievements by you all. That wraps up our exclusive coverage of the Westminster Award 2025 here at the House of Lords. Remember to keep an eye out for the announcement about nominations opening for the 2026 award. Who knows? It may be you or someone you know here next year. Thanks also go to everyone from Stevie College involved in the Westminster Award, from the nomination process through to the selection and expedition events and on to the awards lunch too. It really has been another year to remember. The podcast editor was Steve Taylor, the producer Matt Jones. This was a create media production for Cadet Vocational College. I'm Laura Cook, thank you for listening.