Upon seeing a group of students with teachers and support workers visiting the estate, we had the opportunity to learn about the need for the students to get out and about in their community in a safe and welcoming environment, with the ability to quickly return to the school if necessary. As we continue to identify ways to ensure White City Place is open and inclusive for all, supporting a school which serves over 100 local families has been an excellent way to do this. We have held exclusive events such as a summer screening of Moana and the use of our studio space as their Christmas grotto.

Our service partners have identified ways to assist the school with more challenging M&E and cleaning tasks including changing bulbs at high level and deep cleaning to external areas, and we have been supporting ’Friends of Jack Tizard’ in fundraising for a new minibus. Perhaps our greatest success is our work experience programme, inviting students each Wednesday to experience different aspects of property management. The teachers have commented on just how much the students have grown in confidence and how much they look forward to their visit each week.

Describe the context and brief for this place?

Jack Tizard School, based on South Africa Road, approximately 1000 feet from White City Place, is an outstanding school for pupils aged 3-19 years with a range of severe learning difficulties including profound and multiple learning difficulties. Upon seeing a group of students with teachers and support workers visiting the estate, we had the opportunity to learn about the need for the students to get out and about in their community in a safe and welcoming environment, with the ability to quickly return to the school if necessary. Keen to find out more, we visited the school to take a look at the facilities and identify areas we could support the students and teachers in their learning and experience in White City. Our key takeaways included: - The students gain confidence during opportunities away from the school confines. 

The school facilities are excellent however funding is minimal to maintain them so a make do and mend mentality exists. - The need for private transport for students with severe learning difficulties. As we continue to identify ways to ensure White City Place is an asset that is and feels open and inclusive for all within White City, not just those working within the estate, supporting a school which serves over 100 local families has been an excellent way to do this.

How has this project or intervention contributed to the urban life or user experience of this place?

By looking at our takeaways, we established our support needed to be long term, rather than a singular action to provide the best outcomes for both the students and White City Place. - Student confidence. Initially we offered exclusive opportunities to take part in events such as an accessible hour prior to all events on the estate, a screening of Moana on our summer big screen for all students to enjoy on their last day of term, our teams assistance at their off site sports day to setup and cheer on the students and a day of free ice cream for all students, parents and teachers. At Christmas we offered our studio space free of charge for the school to use as their Christmas grotto to ensure all students had the opportunity to meet Santa.

One of our occupiers, Jellycat, also donated a free cuddly toy for each student. - School facilities. Our service partners have identified ways to assist the school with some of the more challenging M&E and cleaning tasks including changing bulbs at high level and deep cleaning to external areas. We have so far improved the frontage of the school by deep cleaning their canopy, mural, play equipment and bike storage. - Private transport. We have been supporting ’Friends of Jack Tizard’ in fund raising for a new minibus. We hosted a Christmas market which raised over £1600 and a pancake race which provided opportunities to network and engage with all White City Place occupiers.

What do you see as the greatest success of this project?

Perhaps our greatest success has been through launching a work experience programme, inviting students each Wednesday. The initiative allows the students to experience different aspects of property management and life at work in general. The students have so far experienced welcoming guests in a front of house role, the variety of tasks undertaken by vertical and horizontal cleaning and what it takes to keep the estate safe and secure in the security officer position. The teachers have commented on just how much the students have grown in both confidence and independence and how much they look forward to their visit each week. One of our greatest successes has also been the positive impact on our staff who previously may not have experienced working with or approaching people with severe learning difficulties. They too have grown in confidence and have improved their knowledge in how best to communicate with people with additional needs.

Having now had the students experience a number of departments and following some very positive comments from our occupiers, we will be expanding the work experience programme so the students can experience life working for the broad range of companies at White City Place. We’ll also expand the programme to offer work experience opportunities to schools throughout White City, further strengthening our community outreach ensuring White City Place is approachable, open and inclusive.

Please share any figures that support your entry – for example, increased dwell time, happiness surveys, foot fall, event attendance, or observed changes in behaviour. Article references or quotes from supporters or reviews in the media may also be included.

‘Thank you for everything you have done for us. You have welcomed us into your offices allowing our students to experience and explore a new environment. The Work Experience links have created pride, independence and age appropriate activities which has massively impacted on the confidence and self-esteem of our students. The market and grotto were not only fun but also a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of the school which has had an impact on our fundraising for the new minibus. We can’t thank you enough.’ - Head of Secondary Department.

‘White City Place has made a huge impact in providing a wonderful community link. They have provided an amazing community spirit, promoting inclusion with children and young people who have complex medical needs and learning difficulties. They have made a wonderful accessible environment with the Santa’s Grotto. Supporting Friends of Jack Tizard with raising money with pancake races and supporting the children delivering a Christmas market. Not only are they helping support Jack Tizard School fundraising, they are working within the community of the school. Supporting our Sports Day, meeting parents and making our children and parents feel valued within the community. WCP have also provided spaces within the building and gardens for our students to learn social skills and practice their communication skills within a safe environment.’ - Secondary Department Teacher.