One of the School’s long-standing outreach programmes, Westminster Phab is an annual residential week which creates opportunities for disabled and abled people people to enjoy life together. The week includes trips, creative workshops, and a celebratory show and dinner. Westminster Phab fosters independence, inclusion, and confidence for guests, hosts and staff volunteers alike, and enables all participants to develop and explore their strengths in a different context.

A team of approximately 20 Westminster staff oversee the week, with around 30 guests and 50 pupil volunteers from the Sixth Form and Remove, but the numbers vary year to year. This mix helps to ensure more balanced and positive integration and helps to provide suitable care and attention for all participants. Guests and hosts are accommodated on site for the duration of the week and enjoy meals prepared by the school’s catering team. Hosts provide personal care to guests, with the assistance and support of a resident nurse and staff volunteers.

During the week there are various creative workshops, and attendees work towards a public show for their families and friends on the final day. Fun evening activities take place throughout the week, including karaoke, and a party and formal dinner, with lots of music and dancing; outings are also arranged to the theatre, art galleries and other cultural places of interest in London.

The Phab week is another area of our community outreach that we engage with financially as well as practically. Thanks to our pupils’ amazing fundraising efforts throughout the school year, we are able to offer the whole week completely free of charge. This is vital in ensuring that a wide range of people are included and able to benefit.

To learn more about Phab as an organisation visit their website or to find out more about the Westminster Phab week specifically please contact phab@westminster.org.uk.