On Thursday 13^th February, Milton Keynes College staff and students joined the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire’s Justice Dinner. Hosted in the Mansion Ball Room at Bletchley Park, the guests were welcomed to the event by Iain Standen, the CEO of Bletchley Park Trust. The dinner was attended by around 50 guests from several local organisations, including Thames Valley Police, Open University, and The Parks Trust.

Kurshida Mirza, the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, has worked closely with MK College and Buckinghamshire College Group in her Shrieval year, bringing in the new addition of High Sheriff College Champions. The High Sheriff College Champions, selected from both colleges, have collaborated with Kurshida on various projects aimed at tackling crime and supporting young people.

Kurshida asked MK College Catering and Hospitality students to provide catering services for her High Sheriff’s Justice Dinner. Catering students prepared, cooked and served the food to the guests, fulfilling the High Sheriff’s requirement to ensure that all food was halal. Alongside various canapes, the guests were served chicken “kiev” ballotine and curried cauliflower steak, with pannacotta and ginger biscuit crumble for dessert.

The theme of the Justice Dinner was the importance of investing in young people and enabling their voices to be heard. With this aligning well with MK College Group’s mission and daily work, MK College Group CEO and Principal Sally Alexander said: “Young people are our future, and at Milton Keynes College Group, we see it as our responsibility to equip them with the skills they need to navigate their lives, find their passions and use their voices to make a difference. We work hard to create opportunities for them, empowering them to identify where they can and want to make an impact.

“I am particularly delighted that Kurshida’s Shrieval year as High Sheriff aligns so closely with the values we hold dear. Working with communities across Milton Keynes to combat social exclusion, strengthening communities and creating thriving partnerships – these are all goals we champion at MK College.”

Over the course of the evening, the guests heard from a few interesting speakers. This included a conversation with YMCA, where two YMCA residents, Faith and Jacob, shared their stories. This concluded in a chat with Jack Davy-Dupris, a Community Development Worker at MK YMCA. Other speakers included HHJ Jonathan Cooper and HHJ Patrick Peruško, who spoke to their fellow guests about how the crown and family courts have evolved over the years to better empower young people and involve them more in the justice process.

Demonstrating that hard work leads to reward, Kurshida also presented an award to MK College’s Head of Community and Engagement and Staff Governor Rebecca Myrie in recognition of their great and valuable services to the community. Rebecca Myrie said: “I was thrilled and very surprised to receive a High Sheriff’s award. Kurshida is someone who brings people together and makes a positive difference to the community – she’s used her role as High Sheriff to amplify this work and we’re so proud to have played a small part in it.”

Kurshida said: “It has been a privilege to work with MK College and to have the MK College Catering and Hospitality students provide the dinner which I know everyone enjoyed very much. The students produced the menu and prepared the food, delivering a top-quality chef experience.

“I believe it is important to enable young people’s voices to be heard and an imperative for us to work together to empower and nurture their development. This means encouraging them to take charge of their lives and develop their best skills, potential and aspirations. Afterall, they are our future!  I am also very grateful to Bletchley Park for providing the setting of the Mansion which added to the experience – thank you!”

To find out more about MK College Group’s work in the community, visit here.