Mary Reid

Hillcroft College deserves to be better known. It is based in a beautiful house, tucked away behind Surbiton Station, and is one of only four residential further education colleges in the country.

Hillcroft caters exclusively for women, and at the student graduation event this week we heard about its real value in changing the lives of its students.

Each told us what they were now doing and how the College had helped them to reach their goals. Most of them were grasping education the second time around - in the past their education may have been limited through lack of opportunities, caring commitments, health problems or low self esteem; some were rebuilding their lives after trauma; others were exploring a range of options before deciding which direction to take. 

Several past students were now happily settled into degree courses or running their own businesses.

This is a great place, and it does offer non-residential courses as well to the benefit to local women. Child care is, of course, available.

I did take this photo from their website - I hope they don't mind.

Another group that changes lives is the local Breathe Easy Support Group which celebrated its first birthday on Friday. It is an initiative of the British Lung Foundation, and caters for people with lung conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

They were a cheerful crowd, but all said how the group, which meets monthly, has been so valuable to them.  Mutual support and friendship is coupled with information and advice from professionals, including a physiotherapist, a respiratory specialist nurse and doctors. 

Chatting with some of the members of Kingston's Breathe Easy Support Group

On Friday evening I went on one of my rare official trips outside the borough. This was at the invitation of Bishop Tom Butler, the Anglican Bishop of Southwark. Every year he invites all the new Mayors from the diocese to his house for an informal supper, along with his team of bishops, archdeacons and executive staff.

As well as being a relaxing and very enjoyable occasion it provided a valuable opportunity to share experiences and ideas with other mayors, and to explore areas of co-operation between the church and civic life.