Lets Be Positive at No.10

On Thursday 26th July a deputation from Tottenham N15 went to No 10 Downing Street to participate in a Youth Cabinet Meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Representing N15 were: Pearl Amoateng (Chair of The Bridge New Deal for Communities Youth Forum), Daniel Edwards (Vice Chair of Lets Be Positive youth group), and Alal Uddin (Chair of Youth to Youth).

During the hour long discussion, attended by three Cabinet Ministers, young people debated a range of priorities for teenagers, including crime and anti-social behaviour, youth activities, local transport and community relations. The debate between the Youth Cabinet and Ministers comes the same day as the announcement of the Government’s youth strategy which outlines plans for better facilities for young people and an increased voice for teenagers in how money for them is spent.

Pearl Amoateng said,

“I am extremely pleased to have had the opportunity to speak to the Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers about the issues that young people face. It’s not everyday that a young black woman from Seven Sisters gets the chance to put their view across to the leader of the country. I am glad to have taken part in this and am grateful to Gordon Brown for taking the time to listen to what I had to say. Now that we have visited him on his turf I hope he will feel that he can come and visit us on ours.”

Daniel Edwards said,

“It was very open and beneficial. I enjoyed seeing how the country is run.”

Alal Uddin said,

“To be invited to 10 Downing St is an honour, so naturally I jumped at the chance, and I felt really engaged the whole time. Speaking directly to the Prime Minister gave me great confidence not only in my communication, but my self confidence. I felt that my views were really being considered and that finally young people were becoming important in the process of making the decisions that impact our lives.”

Make Space Youth Review chair Oona King said,

"The recent spate of gun crime against young people sent out an urgent message that something must be done before we lose a generation of teenagers. Young people have got a bad deal from society. Yet, supporting them is the single most important investment Britain can make. We spoke to over 16 000 children and teenagers and found that they want a stake in their local community. They want more meaningful engagement and opportunities. They want high-quality services and inspirational support. They took this message to Gordon Brown and he has listened."

Bridge New Deal for Communities Youth Project Manager Yemi Akinfenwa said,

“This was a rare opportunity for young people. I was very proud of how our young people were able to take on the role of ambassadors for their community. They interacted positively with some of the most important politicians in the country and aired their concerns in a constructive way. I am impressed that the government has acted at this level to actively engage with young people.”

-ends-

Notes to Editors:

Release sent by:

Glenn Gossling

Communications Manager, The Bridge New Deal for Communities

Tel: 020 8489 8844

The Bridge New Deal for Communities is a £50m regeneration programme investing in the future of the Seven Sisters area of Tottenham. It began in 2001 and runs until 2011. The programme is funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government as part of a national £2bn programme of 39 New Deal for Communities.

Future for the Youth is The Bridge New Deal for Communities Youth Forum. It was constituted in 2005 to give the young people of Tottenham a voice.  Fourteen young people sit on the committee and represents over 500 young people from the N15 area. Future for the Youth has previously participated in the European Parliaments Urban Futures conference where they acted as advisors on international youth policy.

Lets Be Positive is a youth group constituted in 2006 with the express aim of promoting an ethos of being positive through creative arts. Lets Be Positive won a Philip Lawrence Award in 2006 for their summer music project and CDs which tackle issues like crime and anti-social behaviour.

Youth to Youth is a Haringey wide group that aims to raise the issues of the young people living in Haringey. It was founded in 2006 and is funded by Haringey Council’s new initiative development fund.

Pearl Amoateng, Chair of Future for the Youth is aged 18. She has always lived in Seven Sisters and is currently awaiting he results and hopes to start at university in September.

Daniel Edwards, Vice-Chair of Lets Be Positive, is aged 19. He has always lived in Tottenham and is also awaiting his results and hopes to study business and event management at the London Metropolitan University in September.

Alal Uddin, Chair of Youth to Youth, is aged 17. He is currently in his first year of college and is studying Economics, Maths and French.

Attached pictures are:

Lbp.jpg -Left to right – Alal Uddin, Daniel Edwards, Pearl Amoateng, Yemi Akinfenwa