Hundreds of new students marked the start of the academic year as the College of West Anglia hosted its annual Freshers’ Fair at the King’s Lynn campus.
Held over two days, the event helped learners settle into college life while introducing them to a wide range of support services, charities, community organisations and local businesses.
Students were able to speak with representatives from organisations including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Samaritans, parkrun, iCaSH, Healthwatch, The Matthew Project and Good News for Everyone. Activities and businesses, including Combat paintball, Caroline’s Driving School and Subway, also took part, giving learners the chance to discover opportunities beyond the classroom.
The fair also gave learners the opportunity to share their views with representatives from King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, including discussions around the Local Plan announced in 2025 and wider issues affecting young people in the area.
Philippa Sillis, Communications and Engagement Officer at King’s Lynn Town Council, said “Today’s students are the people who will be looking for jobs and homes in future, and that is what the Local Plan is all about. It’s crucial we find out what’s important to them so we can build it into our plan and make sure West Norfolk is a place that meets their needs.”
Rosie Smith, Young Carers Education and Community Worker for the Benjamin Foundation, added, ” The Benjamin Foundation are delighted to be attending the CWA freshers fair and to be strengthening our relationship with the College of West Anglia. This provides a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of the support available to young carers and ensure that students who may be caring for someone know where they can turn to for help. We are proud to support CWA and its young carers, and we look forward to forging a strong and lasting professional relationship that helps us work together to identify support and empower young people with caring responsibilities”
Freshers’ Fair events play an important role in CWA’s induction programme, helping students make friends, connect with local organisations and access support as they begin the year. The event also reflects the college’s commitment to providing a student experience that extends beyond the classroom.