My Week at CRP

Last month, we had the pleasure of welcoming Year 11 Student Zahra Saleem-Sheikh to Cross River Partnership (CRP) for a week of work experience following her GCSEs. Zahra joined us to explore career pathways in sustainability – an area she’s deeply passionate about, especially through her interest in geography. Read Zahra’s reflective piece on her week with CRP! 

“The team was incredibly welcoming and open to me shadowing them throughout the week. I was fortunate enough to accompany a team member to observe some of the current projects they’re working on, including Healthy Streets Everyday II (School Streets). For example, we visited a primary school in Kennington where the road had been closed to encourage residents to walk or cycle to school. This initiative helps keep children safe during the school run and improves air quality. The roads were also painted, and seating areas were installed to encourage locals to take pride in the area and dispose of rubbish properly. This experience gave me a real insight into the dedication and hard work CRP puts into improving road safety and air quality in London. 

While shadowing a team member, I had the privilege of attending a Westminster council meeting, where we were introduced to the new Lord Mayor, Paul Dimoldenberg. I also sat in on a CRP team meeting. The company is relatively small compared to many others, so it was fascinating to see how the team’s dynamic influences their collaboration. Over the week, I noticed how closely the team supports one another – checking in regularly, sharing tasks, and helping each other meet deadlines. Their mutual respect is admirable and clearly contributes to the success of projects like the Waterloo Freight Hub, where miscommunication is minimal. They are not only efficient but also incredibly friendly. 

My week with Cross River Partnership was both insightful and educational. It gave me a glimpse into what a career in sustainability might look like. CRP is leading major projects that require time, effort, and commitment, all to improve the health, safety, and quality of life for Londoners.”