Turn over to read Children First
DISC OVER Our gu
wha ide Wes t’s on to tmin in ster
? t x e n t a h W ing GCSEs From choos hool c to leaving s
B Meet Team G re r e i P n o i R r e t sprin
to put up As young people we have ily basis. with stereotypes on a da , anti-social. That we’re lazy, entitled er’s Youth MP st in tm es W as ar ye y m In posite. I’ve found exactly the op
CONTENTS 4 AMBI TIOUS
nex figure out what to do
to tackle the in 2014 I said I wanted When I ran for Youth MP Since then ty. cie ng people in our so es to argue negative portr ayal of you itte mm co on makers and sat ion cis de h wit t me I’ve and be listened to people to have a voice that it’s time for young without prejudice. you to see how t need to look around . This edition I really believe you jus young people actually are ate on ssi pa d an ing hardwork d illustrations cked full of articles an pa is le, mp exa for it, of Ed ntribute to the ponded to our call to co from teenagers that res , who came in for m GB athlete Rion Pierre magazine. Just like Tea cceed. we’re determined to su an interview with Edit, sure you cast your coming to an end. Make My year as Youth MP is before voting MP MP and Deputy Youth vote for your next Youth at westminster. e lin on e March. You can vot h 15t ay nd Su on s se clo r school. s or at ballot boxes in you gov.uk/youthelection the stereotype. r voice heard – break you ke ma , ed olv inv t Ge
Solee n R ashe d
Youth MP, Westminster westminster youthmp k @ westminster.gov.u
5 S AF E
read the truth about sexting
6 EN TERTAINED find activities near you
7M Y GUIDE TO dea ling with stress
8 INSPIRED
eet Team GB m sprinter Rion Pierre
W hat d o y ou w ant to se e in the ne xt e d ition of Ed it? W ant to wr ite for us or ge t y ou r phot os publishe d ? Le t us know:
@CityWestmin @CityWestmin
ster
ster
t
EditWestminst er EditWestminst er
edit@westminst er.gov.uk westminster.g ov.uk/edit
Ngoma alla (left) and Nadette Cover photo: Anisa Abd dies stu dia en by Year 12 me (right), both 15. Photo tak Academy. students at Westminster
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AMBI TIOUS
what next?
Written by Gabrielle Olowe, Hannah Anjorin, Sonal Mistry and Tallulah Allen, all aged 15.
g your GCSE and to make big decisions, from choosin We know there’s a lot of pressure asked other young to do after you leave school. We’ve A-level subjects to deciding what people like us for their advice.
I’m…choosing which subjects to drop at GCSE at GCSE Choosing which subjects to drop try, can be stressful, however Sonal Mis says: Es GCS her 15, who is currently doing e thes g osin cho ut “Don’t be worried abo the ne rmi dete not do they e options becaus ose cho to nt orta imp It’s life. r you rest of and that subjects that you find interesting .” you will have fun with
I’m…deciding which A-levels to take A-levels can be even more stressful. Poonam Mistry, 18, studied history, English, Spanish and psychology. She says: “My best piece of advice is to choose subjects you enjoy and you think you’ll do well in. It’s not wor th doing a subject you won’t enjoy. Before choosing, make sure you research the course and what it will contain. It’s amazing how much knowledge you gain in just two years.”
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I’m…leaving school this year and thinking about university after One of the most common options 21, n, Alle is Lou school is university. versity studies history and Spanish at Uni ays alw “I’d s: say He . don Lon College nI been encour aged to apply and whe it s litie sibi pos researched all the on bec ame clear that further educati Not me. for path t bes was the only in an academic sense, but also the opportunity to be around likeminded people.”
I’m…not sure university is the best option for me por t Vitor Sundarji, 22, a technical sup and ncil Cou City ster officer at Westmin ty ersi univ k thin ’t didn ice, rent former app hip ices was for him. He says: “An apprent while is a real job with training so you earn ed gnis reco lly ona nati up you learn and pick r you on s end dep It go. you as ns qualificatio d goo a is hip career path, but an apprentices new ng ethi som idea if you’re looking to try or explore your options.”
iceships and help t, including CV writing tips, apprent For more information and suppor v.uk /edit-youth finding a job visit westminster.go
SA FE
The truth
about sexting
Written by Gabrielle Olowe, Hannah Anjorin, Sonal Mistry and Tallulah Allen, all aged 15. Illustration by Angela Louere Zam ara, 18, from
ting? What is sex decent or sexual
king an in ing or Someone ta lves and text – either se m e th f o photo ne else it to someo forwarding uter. p m ne or co to their pho
le ‘SEXT’? Why do peop el pressured
etimes fe People som yfriend that their bo and believe r share ve would ne or girlfriend hout their consent. wit the images enagers ly 17% of te te a n Unfortu ges with a these mess then share il senders a m , or black le p o e p r e oth them. ing to share by threaten
Worried about sexting? Call Chil dLine on 0800 1111. No matter what has happened - whether you’ve sent an indecent photo of yourself, asked for a photo or shared one with friends – ChildLine can help. If a photo of you has been posted online ChildLine can also help to get it taken down. Find out more about sex ting at childline.org.uk /sexting
Pimlico.
Who is s exting? 22% of
teenage girls and teenage 18% bo semi-nu ys have shared n of de photo s of them ude or selves.
What if you’ve sha red an image of someone else? If you ha ve
under 18 an indecent ima g e of s o m o e you’re br n your phone or compute one eaking th r e law. If this on y y ou ou distributi commit a fur the for ward r offence ng child p o r n o gr y ou k no w aphy, wh of them or ether n criminal charges ot, which can re sult in .
to our A big THANK YOU guest writers nal
Hanna Anjorin, So Gabrielle Olowe, ta h Allen who spen Mistr y and Tallula on cil un Co ster City week at Westmin work experience. ar ticle in the next Want to see your t in touch at edition of Edit? Ge er.gov.uk st edit@westmin
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EN TERTAINED RUMS GRAB YOUR D
BOOTS LACE THOSE
freE
ities All activ are free re’s and the o t no need t s book. Ju d n a turn up join in.
Join one of the best steelpan groups this side of the Caribbean. No prior experience needed and all abilities welcome. When: Wednesdays, 6.30-8.30pm Venue: Yaa Asantewaa Arts, 1 Chipenham Mews, W9 2AN Ages: 14-19
Join a kickabout at Moberly Sports Centre. When: Fridays, 4.30-6pm Venue: Moberly Sports Centre, The Quadrant, 101 Kilburn Lane, W10 4AH Ages: 8-19
TABLE TENNIS BOUNCE INTO
UNG PEOPLE SPORT FOR YO ITIES WITH DISABIL
Free swimming at any of Westminster’s five swimming pools with an ActiveWestminster Card.
Learn to improve your game with table tennis and pool at Churchill Gardens Youth Club.
Take part in sitting volleyball, goalball, racket sports, athletics and more.
Venue: Find your nearest pool at westminster.gov.uk/leisurecentres-westminster
When: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 6.30-9pm
When: Fridays, 7.30-9pm
DIVE IN
Ages: Under 19s
Venue: Churchill Gardens Road, Churchill Gardens Estate, SW1W 8RU Ages: 11-19
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Venue: Caxton Youth Centre Organisation, Tintern Ho/Abbots Manor, SW1V 4JF Ages: 11+
M Y GUIDE TO
My guide to…
Written by Enkhuchral from Pimlico.
Mergen, 17,
of us who are This article is for those at the moment experiencing dif ficulties ool, with sch - be it from pressure at lves. rse ou hin our families or wit
dealing with stress 1. Be positive and active
lethargic and generally We naturally feel more t t active enough, don’t ge unhappy when we are no we en wh o als d k food, an enough sleep and eat jun rt walking to school or Sta e. ag gu lan use negative er s. nd Think about wheth going for a jog at weeke r you ge an ch plainer and you’re a gossiper or a com ve ha t tha s ng thi t the good attitude by talking abou . ely lat happened
t you can 2. Take control of wha
lution – it’s up to you to Every problem has a so . one in charge of your life find it as you’re the only er ch tea a try talking to If it’s a school problem, or browse lp, he tra ex and asking for studentroom. Talk it over with your parents, GP, school helpful websites like the rsonal pe a nurse or counsellor and they will work of re mo it’s If . co.uk and tell other together with you to find a solution. You can problem, communicate from them also call ChildLine anytime on 0800 1111 – people what you want the en oft is n calls are free and confidential. tio ica un - miscomm nderstood. su mi g lin fee for n so rea After talking it over with you, your GP, school nurse or school counsellor may suggest arranging an appointment with Child and Adolescent Mental fe li at 3. Accept th Health Services (CAMHS). CAMHS helps young people when they are finding it hard to cope with is full of challenges family life, school or the wider world. CAMHS in Westminster also accepts self-referrals, which means you can call them directly on and embrace them 020 7624 8605 to make an appointment. es and Through constant failur For more information about mental and rn lea l wil you es success health visit camhsandme.org this can grow as a person. But rking only happen through wo d. ate dic de ing hard and be
Worried or unhappy?
Enkhuchral
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INSPIRED
“ Think of the person you want to be and strive towards that”
Dream o f becoming an athlete?
Apply fo r fina suppor t ncial and mentorin g as par our Cha t of mp Future p ions of the r Applicati ogramme. ons clos e on 20th Feb ru Visit we ar y 2015. s gov.uk / tminster. champio n so f - t he future
w, was at the top of his Aged 14, Rion Pier re, pictured belo land Schoolboys squad Eng and game. A Chelsea FC scholar becoming a pro-footballer. But member he had his sights set on d himself in the wrong crowd, ever ything changed when Rion foun k to fitness. bac was stabbed and struggled to get and my muscles star ted to waste “I couldn’t walk for three months and had to star t from scratch. away. I was released from Chelsea the stabbing hold me back. I was It was tough, but I refused to let determined to succeed. my fitness and was noticed for “I joined an athletics club to improve ple of months I star ted winning my sprinting ability. Within a cou ndary Linford Chr istie and medals, got coaching from the lege g up my spikes and hun I m. made the Beijing Olympic Tea all. my s decided to give athletic dered and I became a “I was stabbed, my friend was mur e of the hardships parent at 16, so I can relate to som face huge hurdles; even I hear from young people. We all been through a lot. the most successful people have s on the most focu ays My advice to others is to alw l all nne cha and life r important thing in you you son per the of k Thin it. into your energy .” want to be and strive towards that Find 100s of free sport and activities in Westminster at westminster.gov.uk /edit-active
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