Do Something Positive in Your Community

posted by: Rhasan Brunner

As a young person I've found that a better way of dealing with a problem is not complaining about it, but to go out there and face it.

From reading the newspapers and looking at different aspects of the media, I learnt Hackney had a negative image created by people who do not know the community well. I believe that Hackney's negative image is exaggerated and that it needs to change.

Instead of not doing anything, I decided to try and do something to change that image.

I became part of a youth forum made up of young people just like me, who also wanted to make change and tackle Hackney's negative image. From there I joined the Hackney Youth Parliament and became involved in many activities that helped me to achieve that aim.

These youth activities have taken me all over the borough helping me to understand the community better, as well as its people. They have taken me to local politics and even as far as House of Parliament. But along the ways I have made some new friends and met new people. This has helped me to understand a lot of new things and taught me that no matter how ordinary we are, deep inside ourselves we have or we are something greater.

I would like to share a message to you:

Whether you are a young person or an adult, we are all equal and deserve to have our voices heard.

If you are a young person who wishes to have a say in issues affecting you and others around you, as well as making new friends and gaining skills in the process, why not join a local youth forum in your area, to have a say.

Be part of making change and a positive difference.

To find out more, contact these people:

Mandy Richards- Shoreditch Youth Forum, Stoke Newington Youth Forum

mandy.richards@hackney.gov.uk

Cat Garret- North East, Homerton Youth Forum 

cat.garret@hackney.gov.uk 

Michael Connors

Michael.Connors@hackney.gov.uk

Also you can go to community groups, such as the Hackney Community Engagement Board where you can put your issues forward to the police and people. To get in contact email Jack Duncton, who will give you the information for when the next meeting will be.

jack.duncton@hackney.gov.uk

If you wish to present youth issues to your politicians and councillors, go on this website, to get in contact with them:

 www.hackney.gov.uk 

This is the first step for you to making change and doing something positive.