Youth Unlimited issue 1 by barnabas shelbourne

h t d u e o t y unlimi

NEW ISSUE 001

By young people, for young people

OURS own... M U R SEX you the lowd e We giv

ASBOhe facts Know t

cash a r t x e some mployment e k a e m o teen et A guid

oday... t r o f e c i a vo row r o m o t n o aCt

... an imp

WIN an ipod shuffle in our competition

music, dance and much, much more

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Hiya uth w edition of Yo you like this ne at p th m pe va ho re l e ta W had a to azine. We’ve ag M d ite im to nl U relevant agazine more to make the m e about you! or m it to make teenagers and this issue from s packed into We’ve got load d teenage about drugs an uff. real life stories less serious st lofs of fun and ! ne yo er pregnancy to ng for ev ere is somethi Believe us, th on the l team working ria ito ed od go so a giggle. We’ve got a rd work but al ha en be s It’ e as this magazine. of the magazin d ou pr ly al ci We are espe t what we as s been all abou time round, it’ want to write. young people n are all too ofte day teenagers w no t bu We feel that to me, being troubleso e stereotyped as h Unlimited w ut Yo ed ov pr im d an w with the ne cool bright ent you as the ow want to repres We want to kn you really are. n ca e w at individuals that th magazine so r ou of k in th what you it looks and ents to the way t make improvem aling to you. Le ent more appe k .u co o. make the cont ho ya n@ ailing kewilsdo us know by em ns and views. tio es gg su ments, with your com

! !! ! !! ! !! ! !! ! !!

If you want to get involved in this media project then call Kate on 07769 676735 or email on kewilsdon@yahoo.co.uk

wanted:

DESIGNERS with the following skills

writers with the following skills

An interest in design and or photography A good eye for layouts and visual flair Good at working in a team Ability to lead / teach other members of the group

Please contact Kate on the number or email above

Good writing skills Ability to manage an article from idea to conception A keen interest in youth issues Imaginative ideas Willing to take editorial decisions Committed to meeting deadlines

Please contact Kate on the number or email above

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s t n e t n co FEATURES > > > page 04 > > > > > > >> Tsunami > > age 10 >>>>>>p > > > > > > ASBO > > > > > page 12 > w e vi e R ic s u Scarlet Blue M age 14 >>>>>>p > > > > h c it 17 Teenage W > > > > page > > > > s m le Real Life Prob age 18 >>>>>>p d o o rh e th o 24 Teenage M > > > > page > > > > > > Drug Interview ge 26 > > > > > >pa > > > > > > 28 Theft > > > > > > > page > > > > > > > Bullying > > age 34 >>>>>>p > s ie lit a n o rs 34 Walking Pe > > > > page > > > > > > > Fashion > > page 36 >>>>>>> > > > > > 37 Self Harm > > > > page > > > > > > > Junk Food page 39 his Country T h it W g n ro What is W ND US 06 INFO, HELP A > > > > page > il c n u o C Kingston Youth page 07 >>>>>>> > > > rs u o e 20 Sex Rum > > > > > pag > > > > > > Schools > > page32 >>>>>>> > > > > s n e 33 Connexio > > > > > pag > > > t n e Teen Employm page 41 >>>>>>> > > > > > > Editorial

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REGULARS > > > page 15 > > > > t n a rR Tomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Regula age 16 >>>>>>p > > > > e g 30 Problem Pa > > > > page > > > > > > > Letters page age 38 >>>>>>p > > > > rd a Bulletin Bo S DANCE, FILM T, R A , IC S 08 U M > > > > page > ic s u M d n a Films, Dance age 21 >>>>>>p > > > > > > 22 Rock > > > > > > page > > > > > > > Graffiti Art > page 23 >>>>>>> w e vi e R s e 31 The Work > > > > > pag > > > > > Relationships NS COMPETITIO page 40 >>>>>>> le ff u h S d o Win an Ip TS AND INFO YOUTH EVEN age 42 >>>>>>p > > > > > Albany Park page 42 >>>>>>> > > > > > > e 43 B.Art > > > > > > pag > > > h rg u b Duke of Edin > page 44 >>>>>>> fo in s e tr n e e 44 Youth C > > > > > pag > le p o e P g Info for Youn

THE TSUNAMI DISASTER Michael Joslin looks at the devastating consequences of the Tsunami disaster last Christmas, the incredible story of a young local heroine and what schools in Kingston have done to raise money for the appeal. n the 26th of December 2004 many of us were celebrating. We were drinking, eating and having fun with our Christmas presents. In Sri Lanka old and young alike were screaming and frantically darting away from the approaching wall of water. In Indonesia hundreds of thousands were already dead, painful amounts of people simply washed away and their bodies will probably never be found. On that day the world changed for a huge number of human beings. Orphans were made, young children’s dreams and hopes were snubbed out in an instant with their deaths and people lives were blown apart. For once I can say that this appalling tragedy was not of human cause. For once our reckless actions were not the cause of death on such a large scale that humans actions have unfortunately been accustomed to cause. There are some heroic stories coming out of the carnage. As the Tsunami came into the beaches of Phuket in Thailand, most stood aghast and gazed at the rapidly receding tide. Not 10 year old Tilly Smith from Oxshott, whose quick

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thinking under pressure saved a hundred lives. Tilly was holidaying with her family and was relaxing on the beach when the natural phenomenon struck. While others stood and gazed, Tilly knew exactly what to do. A few weeks earlier the young heroine had studied Tsunamis in class with her teacher Andrew Kearney. Her teacher taught her what happened when a tsunami struck and how it formed. Tilly immediately recognised the beginning of a Tsunami that day and with just minutes to act, she alerted hotel staff and her parents who evacuated the beach. The beach was struck minutes later and was the only beach in the area, despite mass devastation, where not a single person was killed or injured. A true heroine! 100 people owe their lives to Tilly Smith and the British education system! Teaching really does save lives. That kind of story is pleasing to hear but this story is unfortunately one of the happiest stories you will hear about the Tsunami. Thousands of children, your age, were not as lucky as Tilly Smith to know about Tsunamis. Thousands died, thousands were made homeless and

thousands were made parentless on that terrible day in December. Millions across the world were touched by the horrendous stories emerging from the disaster. None more so than communities in Kingston, and the response by schools and young people

Orphans were made, young children’s dreams and hopes were snubbed out in an instant with their deaths and people’s lives were blown apart. has been nothing less than extraordinary. An act of nature is a terrible thing, especially when death on such a grand scale is abundant. The misery, suffering and anguish on show in Asia is enough to touch the hearts of every person in this world, enough to bring tears to eyes and enough to cause a tide of compassion from all corners of human civilisation. A good thing to come out of this

The most powerful earthquake in 40 years erupted under the Indian Ocean near Sumatra on December 26, 2004. It caused giant, deadly waves to crash ashore in nearly a dozen countries, killing tens of thousands.

The number of people believed to have perished in total currently stands at 273,435.

In Thailand the number of confirmed dead is 5,395 and in Indonesia the death toll is currently at 125,498.

Over half those killed in Indonesia are children (figures correct on 5 March 2005)

f ning o n i g e b e ised th minutes to n g o c e r ith just parents diately w e d m n m a i day Tilly d her t n a a h f t f i a t s am a Tsun alerted hotel ch. a e the be act, sh d e t a u ac who ev

disaster, if that can be said, is that people have been united in their grief and have been united in a common goal of alleviating the suffering of the victims. Black or white, young or old, Christian or Muslim, they have been united. The Sri Lankan, Indonesian and Indian peoples have been united for once, talking not fighting and aiding not inhibiting. This disaster has shown what we can do if we join as one. Ironic then, that the disaster could have been prevented by this new found co-operation and if these peoples had been united when discussing a Tsunami warning system. Alerts could have been sent, lives would have been saved and the devastation would have been just as grand, but the loss of human life would have been greatly diminished. This world is like a ship with 200 odd different steering wheels all going in different directions. Nothing gets done, nothing is achieved and people die. Let this Tsunami be a warning to us all; going our separate ways is only going to cause us more trouble and if we act swiftly, decisively but as one maybe there can be a brighter future for us all. END

WHAT SCHOOLS HAVE DONE FOR THE TSUNAMI APPEAL Tiffin School has led the way with fundraising and the Tsunami appeal and has so far raised ÂŁ3,000. I have spearheaded fundraising events at Tiffin School with parents, students and teachers alike coming together to help facilitate the buying of tents to provide shelter for the homeless. In other Schools similar showings of compassion have taken place. Coombe Girls School and the Hollyfield School have dressed up in their own clothes, the students co-operating very eagerly, to raise funds for the tsunami appeal.

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KYC

“

kingston youth council

KYC is the youth council working specifically for you in our Royal Borough. Meeting once a month and having representatives on many other local councils we are working fairly hard. So when you say, “Well I’ve never met them, where are they if they do indeed work for me,” I understand, so here we have details of the members of Kingston Youth Council. Hopefully you know at least one of us so you can let us know what your concerns are and we can try and act on them.

”

th Parliament I r voted Member of You Chris Fullbrook: As you national youth on in the regional and try to represent Kingst gston Youth Council my job to oversee Kin parliament. It is also in schools is the k that working more where possible. I thin watch this space tive for us this year, so most important objec Among other olvement will increase. and hopefully your inv trying to ensure with law and order, and things I work mainly for the behaviour of don’t all get labelled that us young people only a minority.

Natasha Patel: You may remember this name from the elections. She has stayed on and works within the council and she is heavily involved with the magazine.

Laila Al-Ayoub i: The Deputy Member of Yo Parliament vo uth ted by you. Sh e works to en there is NO bi sure as or stereoty ping in our organization. She is passio nate about ad graffiti as an vertising art and just ge neral expressi would describ on. She e herself as a woman of th and if you’re e world on the right si de of her, sh approachable e is very .

e e: Tom is th -Head Clark n it ke ta Tom White s . He ha amongst us to in g green one in recycl lf to sweep upon himse musical ur yo s and fix our school opinions.

Michael Josl in: King of al l things fair tra law and orde de, r culture, inte rnational mat and very pass te rs ionate about bicycle theft. works very he H e avily within hi s own school council, a man who can be tru sted to get things done. He fights to re duce political apathy and st ereotyping.

“

eticia Kitenge: A hip-hop dancin, chicken loving gir l. She’s here to bring a street side to things and she m ak es herself heard! So street peeps of Kingston, she’s ya girl.

if you recognise any of these people from your school go and find them. If there is no one here from your school get in contact with this magazine and have a chat with us, even join us…

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the fact that he is our Josh Taylor: Despite a very influential youngest, he remains ther law and ano is member. Again he cate adults edu to order guy. He works challenge the to and about young people working against us as stereotypes that are ets. we walk down our stre

”

CONTACT DETAILS If you want to have your say on youth issues or concerns and you want something done about it email: kyc@rbk.kingston.gov.uk

Sex

ou R

u m R

by Laila al-ayoubi & natasha patel

Using two condoms will make you extra safe

You can’t get pregnant if you have sex standing up

Using two condoms is actually the worst thing you can do to protect yourself. It does not act as double protection – what actually happens is that the two condoms rub together and the friction causes them both to snap!

Yes I’m afraid you can! You can get pregnant having sex standing up, upside-down, sideways or in space mate! Don’t ever believe it when someone tells you having sex in a certain way will avoid pregnancy. You can get pregnant having sex in anyway!

I can’t get pregnant while I have my period. It’s possible to become pregnant from sex at any time in your menstrual cycle. It’s true that with a lot of learning and months of very careful recordkeeping and planning some women can figure out when they’re most fertile, so can also work out the safest times to have sex. However, there is no guaranteed safe time. Most of our cycles are irregular, as we are still young and some of us ovulate - the time when an egg is released and a woman is most fertile - very close to the time that they have their periods. Plus, sperm can live in a woman’s body for up to seven days waiting for ovulation to happen. So just because you are on your period doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant.

You can only get STI (sexually transmitted infection) from actual intercourse Wrong again! Infection is passed through ANY kind of exchange of bodily fluids – there’s not enough on the virus in saliva so you’re alright lipzin unless you have buckets of it. But you can get it through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or sore, oral sex, full sex and especially high risk with anal sex.

You can’t get pregnant the first time you have sex.

I can’t get pregnant if he pulls out

This is VERY wrong! It only takes one time for you to get pregnant. You should always use a condom and to be on the safe side the girl can take the pill too. These will protect you from pregnancy and sexual transmitted diseases

Not true. Pulling out means that he pulls his penis out of the vagina before he “comes”. It is only 81-96 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. Pregnancy can happen even if the guy pulls out, if he doesn’t “come”, or doesn’t put his penis all the way in. Here’s why: when a guy gets aroused, he produces a fluid called “pre-cum”, which can contain sperm - particularly if he’s had sex or masturbated earlier in the last couple of days. When the fluid leaks from the penis before the boy comes, it can cause pregnancy. Pulling out is not a very reliable method for us, as young people, because some guys lack the experience and self-control to pull out in time, or they say they will pull out, and then they get so excited and carried away that they don’t. Also, some guys can’t tell when they are going to ejaculate.

I can’t get pregnant if I do not have an orgasm The pleasure you have during sex has little to do with the chances of getting pregnant. So yes you can get pregnant if you do not have an orgasm!

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FILMS Bridget Jones The Edge of Reason RATING

****

Well worth seeing and very funny

What is the film about? A 30 something woman searching for love and in the second film trying to keep hold of her man and her career in TV. Inevitably everything that she does goes wrong with amusing consequences.

Brief overview of the story and plot She is in London and she has the perfect man but she is very paranoid that Mark is cheating on her. As part of her job she has to go abroad to Thailand and then Daniel Cleaver gets back into her life and he tries to seduce her like he does in the first film. In the end she realises that Daniel is the same old Daniel and she flies back to London to Mark, her true love.

From left to right: Marie, Sam, Stacey, Lauren, Sammie. All from CCC

DANCE

The Shuffle Dance (by Laeticia Kitenge) This is a treat for all you dance lovers out there! I am going to teach you the latest dance move that makes you look hot on the dance floor. The Shuffle aint all that hard! So next time you are at a party or rave tell them to clear the dance floor and bust this move!

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Start with your feet relaxed and facing straight forwards with about a foot length space between.

You can start with whatever foot you want first and I would start with your right foot bending your toe part up and the heel on the ground. With your left foot, leave the toe part on the ground and the heel lifted up a bit.

Relax your feet once again to the starting position.

Now with your left foot lift up the toe part and leave the heel on the ground. Using your right foot at the same time, lift your heel and leave the toe part on the ground.

Finally end at your starting position.

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Was it as good as the first film? It is better than the first film and it is more funny. However they were both good in different ways.

magic mushrooms and was singing ‘Like a Virgin’ in prison with the Thai people were hilarious. Her hopeless skiing was amusing too. Again in this film, there was a fight between Daniel and Mark where they ended up in a large water fountain.

What did you think about the characters? Her accent was great and she looked the part - overweight, scruffy with no make up. It was so professional of Renee Zellweger to prepare so well for the role.

What was bad about the film Some parts were slightly repetitive in humour and and overall it was too similar to the first film. The joke about the big pants had been done before.

Who did you prefer - Hugh Grant or Colin Firth? It’s difficult to decide as Hugh Grant is funny but he cheats and is unreliable and Colin Firth is nice but he can be a bit boring. Hugh Grant is better looking though and we like him because he is a bad boy. Paul Nichols who had a minor role in the film was gorgeous.

What did you think about the storyline and the acting? It is an unpredictable storyline with many twists and Renee Zellweger is an excellent actress.

Did you feel sorry for Bridget and sympathise with her? We felt sorry for her as she tried so hard to make herself look great at times but she never did. At one point all the effort she made was ruined by a big puddle. All women can relate to her in their quest to find true love.

What was good about the film? Some parts were very funny. For example the scenes where she ate

MUSIC REV IEW st foot very fa a re no is This there a d n a t en ch step movem een ea w t e b en in h it giv stops get wit l ’l u 2 o y t but abou it got it in ht pick time. I u o mig y t l u a b s re ! month ep it e K r. e k up quic

Artist: Mario Name of Album: Turning Point To jam 2 or not (rating):

*****

For all the people that think dis Mario is Mario Wyanes: reality check, two different people, peepz !! Mario’s younger and dances and is buffer (for me). Mario Wyanes is older and sings about girls dat ave cheated on him and they’ve moved on but it seems he can’t. Yes girls Mario b back with great new tunes. If you liked his other albums than you’ll love these next tunes on his new album. Smooth, slick, sexy with heart warming lyrics. My personal favourites are ‘let me love you’, ‘Nikes fresh out the box’ and ‘Directions’. But you know it’s really up 2 you about what song you think is your favourite. So I suggest everyone gets up and grab a CD for you-self coz copies aren’t no good. Music and dance by Laeticia Kitenge

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ASB

You may have heard the term ASBO somewhere along the line fairly recently. What it stands for is an anti-social behaviour order. This covers pretty much everything that is bad with the world. You can receive one of these orders by committing an offence. What this punishment will entail will come later but first, in order to get one you would have to do something that applies to one of these categories: Street Scene Nuisance Neighbours Environmental Crime

Street scene Street scene branches off into four other categories, the first of which is begging. This is quite simply requesting money from people you don’t know, regularly. This is seen as both intimidating and not good for the areas that it occurs in. The second category under street scene is anti-social drinking. So what makes drinking turn into antisocial drinking? The answer is rowdy behaviour and it’s kind of like drunk and disorderly. The introduction of this is not surprising as apparently 61% of the population believe drink fuelled violence is increasing. Next up are street prostitution and kerb crawling which are fairly self explanatory. You shouldn’t sell sex, and you shouldn’t go looking to buy sex (kerb crawling). The final one is the more obvious one, drugs; for taking, owning or dealing you can receive an ASBO of differing severity. Nuisance neighbours Nuisance neighbours is defined as, ‘intimidation and harassment; noise, rowdy and nuisance behaviour; hoax calls; animal related problems and vehicle related nuisance.’ The first thing I wanted to know was, what is

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animal related problems? Basically it’s noise and regular tearing up of your garden sort of thing. Probably the most relevant offence in this category is rowdy and nuisance behaviour. Rowdy behaviour is fighting, urinating on the streets, intimidating passersby, criminal damage, shouting and swearing, and hooliganism. There you go; a clear and no nonsense definition of being a nuisance neighbour. Environmental Crime Environmental crime is one of those things you could well be committing without being aware you’re doing anything wrong at all. Throwing rubbish on the ground is one of them I’m afraid. You can get an anti social behaviour order for, littering, nuisance vehicles, graffiti, drug related paraphernalia, fly posting, dog fouling, fly-tipping, dumped business waste, vandalism, abandoned shopping trolleys and noise nuisance. Now as you’re all anxious and hot under the collar about what this ASBO could do to you I shall explain why it’s best not to get one. A passing policeman that catches you urinating in the street can, and probably will, give you an on the spot fine of £40; fair enough in my opinion!

“Well I’ll just refuse to pay it,” you say. But should you refuse they will chase it up and charge you one and a half times the original amount. The on the spot fines seem to form the front line against low level crime, said to ease and free police time. I heard the Chief Superintendent of Kingston Police say that, in the past the police have not had the necessary powers in place to deal sufficiently with anti social behaviour. However now she is confident that they do, young offenders can be punished because there are tailor made punishments now available. Whatever your feelings on the introduction of anti social behaviour orders are, I anticipate them becoming a very big deal. They are there to protect victims of crime and if they prove effective in preventing it they will prove a permanent fixture in our communities. As Michael Howard (Conservative Party Leader) has been saying, ‘yob’ behaviour has grown out of control, and it’s time for the perpetrators to feel intimidated. Anti-Social Behaviour Orders are a step towards making the case. END

are you anti-social? ullbrook by Chris f

What you get fined for List of offences with a fine of £80:

“

i’ll just refuse to payit Well

”

. getting a fine n e h w y a s u y yo ou refuse the But should yup and charge will chase it a half times the you one and unt. original amo

" Wasting police time or giving false report, S5(2), Criminal Law Act 1967

" Trespassing on a railway, S55, British Transport Commission Act 1949

" Sending false message, S43(1)(b) Telecommunications Act 1984

" Throwing stones, etc. at trains or other things on railways, S56, British Transport Commission Act 1949

" Knowingly giving a false alarm to a fire brigade, S31, Fire Services Act 1947 " Using threatening words or behaviour likely to cause alarm, harassment or distress under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 " List of Offences with a fine of £40: " Being drunk in a highway, other public place or licensed premises, S12, Licensing Act 1872

" Buying or attempting to buy alcohol for consumption in a bar or licensed premises by a person under 18 (NB. offence committed by adult buying alcohol) " Disorderly behaviour while drunk in a public place, S91, Criminal Justice Act 1967 " Consumption of alcohol in designated public place, S12, Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001

" Throwing fireworks in a thoroughfare, S80, Explosives Act 1875

The Kingston Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator has been asked about ASBO’s How many of the ASBO’s have been to young people in Kingston? At this time two people under 18 have ASB Orders.

Is it possible for a police officer to issue an ASBO on the spot? An ASBO can only be given out by a court; a police officer can not give you one in the street.

What sort of offence is attracting the most ASB orders,or what is the most common anti- social offence? ASBO’s are only taken out after a lot of hard work has been done by Council departments and the police to get the person causing the problems to change their ways. This behaviour will have been upsetting other people in the borough.

The police or the council tell the court about the persons behaviour if the Magistrate’s think it was bad enough they will give out the A.S.B Order. The court can tell the person not to go to certain places and what time to be in at night. If the person does not do what the order tells them they will be arrested and taken back to court and can be put into prison.

A lot of the Anti-social behaviour is low level nuisance and crime. For example like riding scooters dangerously, graffiti and excessive noise late at night. In general ASBO’s are issued where one person causes another person to feel intimidated or unsafe by what they are doing.

A useful website which tells you more is www.crimereduction.gov.uk/asbos9.htm

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Turn It UP LOUd! Wanna be in a band? Why not learn from four guys who are? Hot rockers Scarlet

TOM Kendall Lead vocals, guitar Age: 17 Which musician do you look up to? Dave Navarro

IAN Beer Lead guitar Age: 17 Which musicians do you look up to? Rory Gallagher, and Gary Moore

HUW Foster Bass, backing vocals Age: 17 Which musician do you look up to? Flea, RHCP

ADAM Millest Drums, backing vocals Age: 17 Which musicians do you look up to? Chad Smith, RHCP, and Carter Beauford, Dave Matthews Band

o many of us, the thought of being in a band is a distant dream. But for Tom Kendall (lead vocals, guitar), Ian Beer (lead guitar), Huw Foster (bass, backing vocals) and Adam Millest (drums) of the band Scarlet Blue, it is a "f***ing amazing" reality. I joined the band from Teddington at their recent Valentine's gig at West One Four in West Kensington, and had a chat about their gigs, their fans, and their future. Having heard the band at this special gig, I was left taken aback by their crowd-pleasing faultlessness and inspirationally satiating stage presence. In other words, these guys kicked ass. I was enthusiastically told by Huw that performing live is a "buzz" and that they "don't get nervous anymore…just excited" - a sign of true professionalism. I then asked them, 'If you had to invent a genre to describe your music, what would it be called?' This was met by Adam's confident answer, "Alternative Funk Rock", which perfectly sums up the fact that their highly original and diverse sound (with influences from Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Led Zeppelin, Jeff Buckley, Bloc Party, and The Rolling Stones) cannot be classified into one single genre. Yes, they are that good. Scarlet Blue tell me that their best gigs so far have been the most recent "aesthetically" pleasing West One Four gig and Lily Farrell's Charity gig. Of course, it's not all plain sailing; every band has to have a few shaky moments somewhere. The

Interview by Nazrene Hanif Photography of Scarlet Blue at W14 by Lauren Russell

Blue show us how it’s done...

Scarlet Blue gig at Memu, the band admit (despite the venue being "a very good establishment"), was their worst gig, because, as Adam states, "We were s**t", exhausted from recording their first EP, Rock On (Moderately) beforehand. As with all bands, when performing live, things will inevitably go wrong, and Scarlet Blue have had their share of mishaps. One time, Adam's bass drum almost fell off stage and at another gig; Tom broke two strings whilst performing! And, um, there was that cover of Postman Pat… Despite this, their loyal fans certainly show their appreciation by turning up to their gigs and then proceeding to either mosh energetically or gaze fondly upon the band members. Certainly, at West One Four, I heard a member of the audience comment, 'I want him' about Scarlet Blue bass player, Huw. When I told him about such adoration, his reaction was one of surprise until Adam joked "he's just in it for the women". But female attention is expected, so my tip for all the single young men out there has to be - go form a band. Then, maybe one day, you will experience the dizzy heights and unbelievable encounters that Scarlet Blue has. Well, keeping in mind the fact that they're a bunch of 17-year-old college boys, they've had a fair few! Their most striking achievement has to be coming 7th out of about 200 bands in Xfm's recent Rock School Competition and, that's not all; they were even interviewed by Christian O'Connell - the main man of Xfm Breakfast Radio. Not too shabby for four

Your essential guide to music: showcasing the hottest new talent in your area and reviewing the latest Single and Album releases…

teenagers from South West London. The band have come so far since they became "a serious unit" in 2002, brought together by various links - Ian and Tom were born a day apart, Adam and Tom live near to one another and went to the same nursery, and Ian and Huw went to Teddington School and started jamming together. They still aspire to do more, hoping to one day do this as a living and perform to at least 200,000 people. They'd also love to support either the Red Hot Chili Peppers or Art Brut - now that's a gig I'd pay good money for! Well then, if they could win any award in the future, what would it be? "Ian would win Best Supporting Actor!" they laugh. "Yeah," says Ian, "I would thank Satan." Very Rock 'n' Roll. Scarlet Blue hope to take a Gap Year to tour England, then on to Holland and Wales "particularly Holland", I'm told. So look out for Scarlet Blue. With two EPs and an affluent gig

history under their belt, it is an undeniable fact that these guys are highly talented, even though they're all still only in their late teens. What's more, they're proof that you too can achieve your dreams and make it in a band. Frontman Tom gives his tips to achieve this, "[The key is] Regular practice but to have fun! Most importantly, be yourselves." On asking if there's anything left to be said, a few passing remarks were made until it was decided that the final comment from the four of them should be that "Tom is a very sexy dancer". Well, now you know. On a more serious note, Scarlet Blue would like to thank all their friends and fans, because without them, they wouldn't be where they are now. Thanks in particular to Billy, Jhono and Alex. Scarlet Blue hope to plan a charity gig in June/July so for all the latest news and gig details…make sure you check out their rockin' site: www.scarletblue.co.uk END

Sup y'all! Here are my Top Tracks for April/May…Enjoy! Nazrene xxx

- - - singles - - Signs - Snoop, JT, Wilson (25 Apr)

This is collaboration at its best and will no doubt be one of those songs that are consistently played throughout the summer 'cause it's so great to dance to! TOP 3 I'd say, though I'd still like to see Justin shave. Banquet - Bloc Party (25 Apr)

Bloc Party never fail to impress and once again avoid being pigeonholed with this powered-up offering. This song is just SO good all the way through, right down to its electro and simply weird and unique outro. TOP 5. Feel Good Inc - Gorrilaz (9 May)

A welcome return to the 2D band featuring the main vocal talents of Damon Albarn (Blur) and a guitarist called Noodle, s'all good for the Gorrilaz. This tune is great - nice 'n' different plus it sticks in your head ALL day TOP 10. Everyday I… - Kaiser Chiefs (16 May)

If there's one band I'm gonna champion this year, it has to be the Kaiser Chiefs. Everyday I Love You Less And Less is one of the best tracks on the album, Employment, and is just undeniably catchy. Yet another hit from the House of Kaiser - I'm hoping for a TOP 5!

Scarlet Blue wows the crowd at W14…YEAH! Show 'em how to RAWK!!

Lyla - Oasis (16 May)

Oasis return and most love it. Great TOP 5 track/boring video (no dressing up as skeletons like the Kaiser Chiefs) - isn't that always the way with sombre rock bands? It's a welcome comeback drifting away from their last album. HIDE FROM:

Geri Halliwell, out in late May.

- - - ALBUMS - - Good albums are scarce this month, and I haven't yet had the pleasure of checking out the following CDs, but they are some of the most anticipated of the year (or just ones I think will be good, hehe)…so you may just wanna save up for 'em! Hal - Hal (25 Apr) Greatest Hits - Misteeq (25 Apr) Elevator - Hot Hot Heat (25 Apr) Demon Days - Gorrilaz (23 May) Don't Believe the Truth - Oasis (30 May) X & Y - Coldplay (6 June) Red Gone Wild - Redman (13 June) Stars of CCTV - Hard-Fi (20 June)

Tom mid-jump (below) in fetching "love pirate" gear for Valentine's day, the boys sure know how to put on a jolly good show!

(l-r) Tom, Huw, Adam and Ian

the real teenage witch What do we understand by the practice of witchcraft? Are all witches to be feared? Forget Sabrina and Mildred Hubble, - What about the real white witch living in your towns and going to your schools? Alaa Eltom reports on white witch beliefs and rituals. abrina, Mildred Hubble and Harry Potter; what do they all have in common? No, it’s not the fact they have become major television stars, but they are all witches of some sort. However, what about the real deal - the real ‘witches’ living among us today? The ones who aren’t just something thought up by a creative mind... the Real Teenage Witches. This implication of witches living amongst us is a bit of a shock. The idea of a witch coming to our schools and living in our towns is almost frightening to any of us. However, this situation has gone from hypothetical to real life. There are witches among us, but not the type you are thinking about. These are white witches, or Wicca’s and in this article the truth will be exposed about their way of life and practices in general. This report is based on real research carried out from reliable sources. Everything you read is true. There are no lies and most importantly no stereotypes. I have based my report on purely factual research that I have gathered. Firstly, we must all get rid of the stereotypes

Wicca’s believe the true definition is ‘one who worships the Goddess (es) and/or God(s) of Paganism, practices magic, and considers her/himself to be a follower of the spiritual path of Witchcraft.’ These definitions are very different to other definitions I found as part of my research, such as the long known tale of witches worshipping the devil. There are many symbols to this craft, some of the most famous are perhaps; the pentagram which is a five pointed star, this is used for protection and conjuring; another famous symbol is the Ankh, which is associated with the worship of Isis. (This links to the idea that this practice links with others as Isis was in fact an ancient Egyptian God). These symbols have grown to become more common in our society and many are now beginning to accept them as a sort of religious practice. The number of books about the craft taken out of public libraries has greatly increased over the last ten years and is still steadily increasing. More so, the vast majority of people who take out these books are teenage girls. This is again a sign that witch craft is not as rare as one may primarily have thought. One writer wrote that ‘twenty years ago, young girls

Twenty years ago young girls would watch ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and want to be Dorothy but nowadays they watch the classic and aspire to be the witch. in our minds, be it a green monster or a freak dressed in strange robes. This is important if you want to gain a true understanding of witch craft. When I first came across the subject of witchcraft I approached it with curiosity, however, I must admit I had my reservations. I simply did not know what to,expect. Firstly it is important to deal with the ‘inaccuracies,’ primarily the assumption that modern witches worship the devil. This is simply not true; witchcraft is very, if not totally different to Satanism. It can easily be argued that this belief is what causes the fear of witches that is seen today. As can be seen there is no Satanism in the above list. However, the common question that is often asked is ‘what is a witch?’ This is a fair question. The web dictionary’s definition is ‘female sorcerer’ or ‘magician.’ However,

pAGE 14

afraid of the craft. This could be as a result of the limited understanding of the practice or of prejudices. Nevertheless, it has had some serious results. In some cases acts of violence have been made towards Wicca’s. These acts of violence occur mainly in the United States, where the belief that witches worship Satan is prominent. One top student at her school also practiced Wicca and was literally persecuted for her belief. Others were simply tortured as a result of their theories and practices. The media has had a lot to do with the spread of witchcraft and the opinions that people have about Witchcraft. Such hit television shows such as ‘Charmed’ and the classic ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ must have had an influence on the rising amount of young people becoming increasingly interested in the practice. Let us face it, who wouldn’t want to have powers like Sabrina, Pru, Piper or Phoebe? Many have condemned the media for their portrayal of Witchcraft; some believe that youths are growing more influenced into the side of Witchcraft and further into Satanism as a result of such popular television dramas. This negative opinion is leading to some forms of prejudices against currently practicing witches or Wicca’s. Hopefully in the future people will learn to understand such practices as Wicca and Witchcraft and form an acceptance for the faith. The more we learn to understand the more we can begin to accept them. END

would watch ‘The wizard of Oz’ and want desperately to be Dorothy, but nowadays, they watch the classic and aspire to be the witch’. The outright fear of witches is of great interest as many people living in society are

Wicca belief is based upon the following:

" Everyone has the divine (or goddess) within. " One should develop natural gifts for divination or occult magic (often spelled " " " " " "

‘magick’ by occultists.) Divine forces or nature spirits are invoked in rituals. The Goddess, as either a symbol or a real entity, is the focus of worship. Nature and the earth are sacred manifestations of the Goddess. Everyone has his or her own spiritual path to follow. Rituals and celebrations are linked to the seasons and moon phases. Meditation, visualisation, invocation (calling on forces or gods/goddesses), chanting, burning candles and special rituals trigger a sense of the mystical, thus reinforcing the core belief system.

TOM’S

RANT

LAR U REG

Every issue our resident grumbler Tom Whitehead-Clarke has a whinge about the latest thing that gets right up his nose. This month Tom has a major problem with what he terms:

The SUV

(Stupid Unnecessary Vehicle)

iolent title you might think, but then again what is wrong with it? After all, these SUV's (best known for their popularity throughout America) not only guzzle more fuel, but are more likely to kill you, are less economic, noisier, and above all cause more pollution than regular sized cars. Although the Americans have never been known for doing things on a small scale, it is now becoming rather ridiculous. Some companies have started to adapt the well known "HUMVEE" that the American military use in warfare, for use on the roads. Although you may feel safe in one of these immense juggernauts that the Americans so eloquently call "hummers", as though they are delicate creatures, you are in fact 25% more likely to be involved in an accident with one. This isn't just a heap of bull either. The fact that their bumpers are so much higher than other cars, means that they hit people higher on their body, meaning that they cause more chest and head injuries. Not only that, but the immense weight of them means that they cause more force on impact, fact... so pick the bones out of that all you escalade fans! The federal corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards set the fuel economy goals for new passenger cars at 27.5 miles per gallon, but oh no! SUVs are not considered cars - they are characterized as light trucks! Light trucks only have to achieve 20.7 mpg, and therefore all those "gangstas" out there can kill people with their fumes, without even leaving their own pimped up, chrome plated, air conditioned, leather seated, base

The fact that their bumpers are so much higher than other cars, means that they hit people higher on their body, meaning that they cause more chest and head injuries. injected "pimp wagons". In fact, some SUVs, like the massive Ford Excursion, are so large that they no longer qualify as light trucks, and are not subject to any kind of fuel economy standards. They could be reclassified to have the fuel economy of a small passenger jet. All these huge emittions cause our environment to fill with gases that cause global warming. Today a car that gets approximately 27.5 mpg, like a Volkswagen New Beetle, will emit 54 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the burning of gasoline over its lifetime. An SUV that gets 14 mpg, like a Lincoln Navigator, will emit over 100 tons of CO2 over its lifetime. I'm not suggesting that we all drive Beetles, but I would ask what you are getting for those extra 46 tons of carbon? I hate to be pessimistic, but if we don't curb fossil fuel emissions, the damage will very soon be irreversible. People that know me will of course know that I am not the most urban of people, therefore I had to consult with some more "streetwise" students in order to find out why you would buy one of these unnecessarily large cars. The replies consisted of: "They be sick man!" "Dey is Grimey!" and "They is well luxury.” I believe that these can be translated to "They look nice" and that they are comfortable. In which case why not buy an Audi? ...but no! they say… because they just don't have the image! I believe that people buy these huge cars...(that are meant for OFF ROAD use) because they want to look cool. I don't mind that, after all that's why people buy sports cars, however there are subtle differences. A quarter of new cars bought in the world today are sports utility vehicles, A much

smaller percentage are sports cars. The fact is that 4 wheel drive cars and SUVs, are comparatively cheap compared to sports cars, but are just as uneconomic with fuel, the power is used for the immense bulk rather than speed. I have no problem with sports cars (yet), because not only are they more economic, but also they are few and far between, rather than the massive amounts of SUVs that have taken over our roads. The obsession with big cars has grown to the state whereby some BMW SUVs, don't even work off road! They are simply very large cars that flounder as soon as thy reach mud or anything resembling steep. Possibly the most ridiculous reason that I've heard from some people is "They are more safe for the passengers". Despite the fact that they are more dangerous for others… they aren't less dangerous for the drivers. On the NCAP safety register, only 3 large SUVs get top marks, these are a Volvo, a WV and a BMW (the one that doesn't work off road). In fact

You may be keeping yourself safe, but what about the rest of the planet? one of the classic SUVs, the Chevrolet blazer has a safety rating of…1 star. Ladies and gentleman, if you want safety buy a Renault Megane! Safety is of course the key argument. If you drive SUVs for no reason other than to make yourself look "nang" or to keep yourself safe… think about the following. Every gallon of gasoline your vehicle burns puts 20 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. As well as this, sport utility vehicles can spew 30 %t more carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons and 75 percent more nitrogen oxides than passenger cars. You may be keeping yourself safe, but what about the rest of the planet? Finally, scientists believe that the earth's surface temperature will rise up to 2.5 degrees in the next 50 years. It means more rain, yet more drought in Africa, higher temperatures, and a more unstable weather systems, crop troubles…the list goes on. My message to everyone is not to go out, hug trees and blow up as many SUVs as possible, but rather if your parents are thinking of buying a car, deter them, and when you buy a car, don't buy an SUV. I know this is only Kingston, but let's make a start. Let's not follow the Americans. After all, they have George Bush as their leader. You may want to look cool, but not at the expense of the planet. Many believe these issues are off in the future, they're not, they're now and you are the next generation who are going to be affected. SUVs are stupid, and they are unnecessary; think big…. buy small. END

TOM’S RANT

!!! school o s t r e e k e i Ch ,b rt with a t s o T P.s. PAGE 15

probLEM

page

Got a problem? The girls from Kingsnympton

are here to give you some expert advice. From left to right, Venice, Becky, Jamie, Leighianne, Cecille

My mum gets beaten up by her boyfriend I can’t stop smoking I have been smoking for 4 years. I am now 15 and I need to stop smoking. I have been offered acupuncture but I’m scared of needles, please help. There is lots of help out there for giving up smoking. You could go and see your GP or doctor, visit your local pharmacist or see your school nurse. The Magic Roundabout will be able to offer you support or contact the Information Dealers in Kingston (see details in contact section below). If you find it difficult to stop smoking there are aids like gum and patches that can help giving up be a bit easier and you need to find the best treatment for you. You must persevere and quit now, as smoking is highly addictive and attempting to give up when you are older may be harder. Good luck with it.

I’m 17 years old and my mum and dad have split up. My mum has got a new boyfriend and he hits her every time I go round. I always wish that he would stop but he never does. My mum always tells me to go to my room so I dont see her get hurt. When I go to my room I cry for hours in bed. In this situation you firstly need to talk to your mum about how worried and unhappy you are about this. If she does not take action then you need to talk to someone at school or another family member. Try phoning Childline on 0800 1111 for advice and support. Locally you can go and talk to the Magic Roundabout (see details in the contact section below) and if you live near a youth club go and see a youth worker who will be able to help point you in the right direction. You must not ignore this problem as your Mum’s safety and possibly yours are at risk.

My drinking is out of control I have been drinking since I was 12 and I am now 14. I feel like I need a drink every day and when I get the money I buy alcohol, drink continuously and feel ill the next day. I feel like I can’t cope without alcohol. What should I do? You need to work out why you feel the need to drink so much. It may be that you are having problems at school or at home and you feel that drinking helps you to cope. However in the long term this is not the answer to your problems. You need to go and see your doctor or visit a counselor at the Magic Roundabout or at Kaleidoscope (see details in contacts section). Binge drinking, which is what you are doing, is very damaging to your health and you must attempt to stop as soon as possible.

pAGE 16

I’m overweight I’m only 13 but I’m a size 22. I’ve tried to diet but I always end up eating even more. I am getting very depressed and I worry that I will never have a boyfriend. I am also being bullied at school. Please help. It may be that you are comfort eating because you are unhappy or upset about something in your life. The fact that you are being bullied is obviously making it harder. Your doctor can help you to look at your diet and suggest changes to what you eat. If you are being bullied at school you must tell someone. Talk to your parents or a teacher or go and see a counselor at the Magic Roundabout (see details in the contact section) and they will help you sort the problem out.

REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES Two girls in Kingston talk about their difficult experiences with their parents who have had problems with drugs and alcohol

on drugs My mum and dad

HAD ONE D BREAKFAST AND IT ALL LIVED IN A BED AN R HE OT BR TLE LIT UP WITH IT. D AND MY HROOM,BUT WE PUT ME, MY MUM, MY DA ARED TOILET AND BAT SH A D AN EN CH R OLD KIT SHARED LOOK AFTER MY 2 YEA BEDROOM . IT WAS A D CRACK SO I HAD TO AN IN RO HE ING EVEN LOOK TAK TO DAD WERE OK,CLEAN AND I HAD THEN MY MUM AND I HAD TO LEARN TO CO F. SEL MY D OL N).THEN RS TIO ONLY 7 YEA GOT ILL (FROM ADDIC BROTHER AND I WAS UGS ,BECAUSE THEY DR THE OK TO Y MY MUM . THE RS YEA DAD WHEN VE BEEN HERE FOR 7 AFTER MY MUM AND LIVE NOW AND WE HA I ERE WH N, OUND TO AR S GS CE IN KIN T WERE TAKING DRUG WE MOVED TO A PLA ALL THEIR FRIENDS THA OF SE AU BEC OL E HO RS SC N GOT WO LP. I NEVER WENT TO AND DAD’S ADDICTIO N WAS THERE TO HE ILD. MY DAD ER FOR ME BUT MY NA CH R RD HE HA S OT AN WA D IT HA SO M THIS AREA, CAUSE BY NOW MY MU ,BE RS HE OT BR MY WE MOVED N OK AFTER N’S FOR A YEAR. THE BECAUSE I HAD TO LO M MOVED INTO MY NA MU MY D AN E TIM N MY DAD GOT R THE 4TH AN FROM DRUGS. THE WENT INTO PRISON FO W MY MUM WAS CLE NO S. NTH MO 18 T IT WAS MY DAD’S R ABOU FELL PREGNANT, BUT TO BOURNEMOUTH FO AIR WITH A MAN AND AFF AN D HA M MU HER AND MY ING MY ME ,MY OLDEST BROT OUT OF PRISON THINK D ONE WEEK LATER AN N’S NA MY TO CK LET MY MUM HAVE MOVED BA MY DAD WOULD NOT BABY. THEN WE ALL GET A HOUSE. THEN TO T KEN TO D DA AND MY WITH MY MIDDLE BROTHER. ME LITTLE SISTER WENT WITH MY NAN AND MY ED LIV M MU MY SO ING TO MY MUM’S R BACK. THEN WE STARTED GO ME AND MY BROTHE D WE DIDN’T LIKE IT. AN OL HO SC TO T ON A SUNDAY. D TO GO AND TAKE US BACK OLDEST BROTHER HA K US UP ON A FRIDAY PIC D AN ME CO TO D 5TH TIME AND ME MUM HA TO PRISON FOR THE AT THE WEEKEND. MY THEN MY DAD WENT S. NTH MO 18 T OU E LIVES THERE FOR AB MY NAN’S IN KENT. SH THAT WAS GOING ON MY SISTER WENT TO D AN M MU MY TO OFTEN. IN THE NT BACK LIKE IT WHICH IS NOT AND MY BROTHER WE TER WHEN SHE FEELS SIS R OU SEE US S T. OU I HAVE HAD A ONLY LET S SORTED HERSELF TO THIS DAY. MY NAN AND MY MOTHER HA D NTE WA WE AT WH URE. D I GOT SITIVE ABOUT THE FUT END MY BROTHER AN PERSON AND I AM PO G ON STR A AM I T FAR BU REALLY HARD LIFE SO

My mum was an alcholic ME, MY MUM, MY DAD AND MY OLDER BROTHER ALL LIVED IN WALTON. I WAS 5 YEARS OLD AND AND DAD WERE ALCHOLICS. I DIDN BOTH MY MUM ’T REALLY NOTICE IT UNTIL I WAS 10. MY MUM GOT PREGNANT AND WASN’T VERY HAPPY WITH IT, SO MY DAD THEY WERE ALWAYS ARGUING. I WAS SO YOUNG SO I DIDN’T REAL UNDERSTAND WHY. MY MUM HAD LY A LITTLE BABY BOY AND MY DAD ’S DRINKING GOT WORSE AND COULDN’T HANDLE IT SO SHE MY MUM TOOK ME AND MY BROTHER’S AND DISAPPEARED UP TO KING STON. WE LIVED WITH MY AUNTIE FOR ABOUT 3 YEAR S, I WAS 6 BY THEN. WE GOT A PLACE AS WE JUST FOUND OUT MY DAD HAS GOT CANCER AND HE HAD NO WHE RE TO LIVE SO HE WAS LIVING WITH US. MY NAN CAME AND TOO K MY DAD UP TO BOGNOR AS SHE DIDN’T THINK IT WAS FAIR THAT WE SAW HIM LIKE THIS. HE DIED IN JANUARY 20TH ONLY 10 AND I WAS DEVASTATED. 2000. I WAS MY MUMS ALCOHOL PROBLEM GOT WORSE WHILE SHE WAS WITH BOYFRIEND. SHE WAS ASHAME HER NEW D OF HER PROBLEM BUT SHE NEVE R TOLD ANYONE AND JUST BOT WHICH MADE THINGS WORSE. TLED IT ALL UP MY MUM WAS WITH HER BOYFRIE ND FOR 4 YEARS BECAUSE HE CHEATED ON MY MUM. THIS MADE HER FURIOUS SO SHE WENT AND SCRATCHED HIS CAR. I WOKE UP THE NEXT MOR TOLD BY MY NEIGHBOURS THAT NING TO BE MY MUM HAD BEEN ARRESTED. WHEN SCHOOL STARTED AGAIN ABOUT LEAVING MY MUM AT HOM I WAS WORRIED E SO I TOLD MY MUM I WASN’T GOING TO SCHOOL. SHE WASN’T THIS SO WE WERE CONTINUALLY HAPPY WITH ARGUING. AFTER A WHILE I GOT IN TO ALCOHOL WITH ANOTHER THEN I WAS ALREADY SMOKING GIRL AND BY . MY MUM’S PROBLEM AFFECTED ME IN A BAD WAY. I THOUGHT I WASN’T GOING TO HAVE A FUTURE AND I WAS GETT ING INTO TROUBLE WITH THE POLI CE. I EVEN RAN AWAY FROM HOM REALISED THIS WAS ALL GETTING E. MY MUM OUT OF HAND SO DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THIS PROBLEM DIDNT REALLY AFFECT ANY OF MY FAM ILY ACCEPT ME. MAYBE EVERYON E HAD GIVEN UP ON HER BUT I HADN’T. ME AND MY YOUNGER BROTHER STAYED AT MY AUNTIE’S WHILE MY MUM WENT INTO REHAB IN PORTSM OUT MONTHS. WE ALL GOT SUPPOR H FOR 3 T BUT I GOT THE MOST. ME AND MY YOUNGER BROTHER HAD SOC MY OLDER BROTHER HAD A CHO IAL WORKERS. ICE TO HAVE ONE AND HE SAID NO. I’VE HAD SOCIAL WORKERS , EDUCATION WELFARE OFFICERS, CONNEXIONS P.A, CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST, SCH OOL NURSE AND COUNSELLOR MY YOUNGER BROTHER IS 9 AND S. I AM NOW 15, MY OLDER BROTHER IS 17. MY MUM IS NOW BACK ON TRACK ,SO FAR SO GOOD! I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WITH SCHOOL, I ONLY DO HALF DAYS . WHEN I’M OLDER I KNOW WHA T I WANT TO DO. AS SOON AS I LEAVE SCHOOL I’M GOING TO COLLEGE TO DO A IN CHILDCARE AS I WANT TO WOR K WITH CHILDREN BUT THIS MEANS I NEED TO PUT MY HEAD DOWN IN MY SCHOOL WORK. MY MUM’S BACK WITH HER BOYFRIEND SO HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING IS FINE . I’VE JUST REALLY GOT TO KEEP MY FINGERS CROSSED.

Support and Help Available Check out www.youngliving.org.uk – the advice section for lots of useful contacts General Support Magic Roundabout is a local young peoples drop-in centre at 23 Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames, 020 8974 9252. Provides information, advice and counseling. Childline Children and young people can call the helpline on 0800 1111 about any problem, at any time - day or night. Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking Kaleidoscope Project, 40-46 Cromwell Road, Kingston can provide you with advice and information on drug misuse, contact 020 8549 2681. They also support young people whose parents are drug dependent. Contact the txt line on 07956 512 929. ID: Information Dealers If you live in Kingston or go to a Kingston school or youth club and need help & support with a drug, alcohol or smoking problem then you can get info and support from the new substance misuse team. Please Txt4help on 07797 806 523 or email lynn.lock@rbk.kingston.gov.uk and you will get the help you need. QUIT is the UK charity that helps smokers to quit. Thousands of young people ring Quitline. It’s free and counsellors are there to listen and help you about smoking concerns. The helpline is 0800 00 22 00. stopsmoking@quit.org.uk www.quit.org.uk General info on drugs www.sorted4info www.talktofrank.com Bullying Contact Magic Roundabout (details above) Useful advice on bullying www.bullying.co.uk www.nspcc.org.uk see page 28

PAGE 17

teenage

motherhood

Laila Al-Ayobi and Laeticia Kitenge interview a teenage mother who is about to give birth and another who has just given birth in Kingston to compare their experiences.

STORY ONE -

SARAH* AGED

How are you coping with the pregnancy? Coping? God you make it sound so dramatic, nobody’s died or anything, I’m pregnant! It’s like…when I first found out I was pregnant, that was the time I had to ‘cope’ with it, but now it’s just there and I’m cool with it. In fact I love it! Fussing over names and baby stuff, my best friend’s going to be the God Mother. Everyone makes out getting pregnant is like, the worst thing ever but it’s not that bad, it does have its good moments too.

You mentioned when you first got pregnant. How did you break the news to Mum and Dad? That was probably the hardest part of all. Well, my Mum couldn’t really say much because she works with pregnant teenagers as part of her job, but she was disappointed, which made me feel so much worse. My dad went mad though, he’s like, well strict and religious. He actually tried to kick me out of the house but Mum was trying to cool him down, telling him “this is the time when she needs us most” and she was right. My Dad’s cool with it now and my Mum’s even helping me to pick baby clothes for her (it’s a girl by the way – I had a scan). When I was actually telling them, my heart was beating so fast! I didn’t know how I was supposed to tell them so I came out with it – “I’m pregnant” and I showed them the test which was positive (gritting my teeth). They didn’t react at first, I think they was shocked; it seemed like something from Eastenders.

DUE TO GIVE BIRTH IN

MONTHS

Gosh. Well have you thought about what you are going to do once the baby’s born? Well I’m still going to finish my GNVQ! My parents and grand-parents are gonna look after her while I’m at college. I just don’t wanna be a young mother with no qualifications. Decent jobs require qualifications plus, I’ve got to be able to support my child because when she’s a little older she’ll be wanting toys and stuff. I never really had any big career plans but I have to be realistic.

But won’t the father be able to help support the child? ….I’d rather not talk about that to be honest.

Oh ok, no pressure. Is there anything else you’d like to say about him? Yeah, he’s a *****! He’s still going to see her and but he hasn’t exactly been enthusiastic about it! You’ve heard it a million times haven’t you, the man freaks out and sods off as soon as you mention the word ‘pregnant.’ Anyway, I’m going to love this baby with or without him.

Speaking of that, what have you been doing to prepare yourself for motherhood? I’ve been preparing more for the birth to be honest; all the breathing techniques and the classes. I don’t want to take any drugs for the pain as this is a really important part of my life, and I want to experience it fully. In terms of motherhood I’m going to pretty much take it as it comes really.

And lastly is there anything you would say to anyone else in your position? The whole pregnancy thing can seem really bad at first but trust me it does get better. People say it will ruin your life but I say it actually gives your life a deeper meaning. You’re going to be responsible for this tiny little soul, and despite the whole career thing, that in itself is so powerful. END

* pAGE 18

Names have been changed

STORY TWO -

ALISON* AGED

GAVE BIRTH

MONTHS AGO

Were you scared about having the baby? And what to do afterwards?

What’s the difference between your daily routine before you gave birth and since giving birth?

Not really but I was scared about coping with my baby, David* on my own.

Well before I would get up a bit early because I had school, but usually I’d sleep for ages, get up, go out and then go home. Now it’s sleepless nights, migraine nights, early mornings, because I need to feed him, bathe him and look after him.

Now that you have had your baby, are you happy or still scared? I’m happy although it’s going to be a bit of a struggle, but I think it’s mostly to do with depression and the struggling alone part.

Are there any advantages of teen motherhood? What was it like before he was born? It was alright actually although I wasn’t able to go out and see my mates that much during the pregnancy.

Is it different from how you’d predicted it to be? Before David was born, I had no thoughts about sleepless nights and it’s hit me hard now but he usually sleeps calmly thought the night.

Has anything changed (physically) since his birth? Yeah, I’ve changed as a person since he was born. I’m different and my friends keep saying I do look different. My body’s also changed but it’s nothing I can’t handle.

Watching him grow up will be the best thing and making sure he has the best in the future. I’m going to make sure he goes to the best schools and gets good grades.

What are the disadvantages of teen motherhood? (what you miss) When you are a teen mother, you have to grow up quicker than you think. There are more responsibilities when you take a child on board. The main things are no sleep and early mornings and you don’t get much money to buy yourself stuff because everything’s spent on him. It’s basically a 24/7 job being a parent. I’m going to miss seeing my friends for quite a long time.

What about getting a job or career? Can you still do the things you did before he was born like go raving with friends. To a certain extent but I can’t take advantage because my mum’s supporting me with most things.

I’m still in maternity leave right now because you get 13 weeks from that. In school I’m only doing English and Maths GCSE. I’m going to do a beauty course when things have settled down for us.

Any advice you can give to forth coming teen mothers out there? Does David’s father have much input into both of your relationships? Yes, he’s there for David always and we’re going to get a flat of our own in time but even though we don’t live together, whenever I’m stressed out or tired I just phone him up and tell him to take David for the time being. I think David likes being with his dad. It’s all about having a deep (man’s) voice because he never cries when they’re together. I guess it’s because when David was inside me he got used to his father’s deep voice.

You need lots of support. Don’t take advantage of support you are given. If you’re offered help then take it. If you haven’t got any one to help you, then you need to speak to someone because every mother needs a hand, no everyone needs help, parent or not. END

Facts on Teenage Pregnancy

advice is not! illegal - getting is 16 of y e ag e have sex at an “Sex under th r pressure to de un el fe r to t ve ce. If you wan You should ne be your choi ion ould always sh it d an x, contracept e ag lationships, se re t ou ab ne for details of chat to someo e back page . check out th . . e or !” m d an es in Kingston friendly servic le op pe g un yo

by Joanne Wilson, Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator In England and Wales about 39,560 aged under 18 became pregnant in 2003. Becoming pregnant can be a time of great happiness and joy, whilst for others it can be difficult and scary. Family and friends may react to the news of pregnancy in different and sometimes surprising ways, and finding out your girlfriend is pregnant can also be a shock. Dads-to-be / partners might need support too! If you think you might be pregnant, it is essential to get advice and support as early as possible; from an adult you trust or pop along to one of the local young people’s health clinics at KU19 or Magic Roundabout. There are options if you feel it is not something you want and people to support you, but telling someone as soon as possible will help you to make decisions easier.

If you choose to continue with your pregnancy, it is important for all mums and dads/partners prepare for the birth. In Kingston young parent friendly ante-natal sessions are a really useful opportunity to meet other parents, get information on a healthy diet and exercise, practice breathing, relaxation and good positions for labour and birth and talk to health workers about any worries. You will be invited to sessions at about 24 weeks of pregnancy. Your midwife can also support you in making decisions including pain relief for the birth and breastfeeding. Adjusting to being a parent can be hard for anybody, but it can be particularly difficult for younger people. As a young mum or dad you may not be able to go out so often, may have to buy things for the baby and not yourselves and it can

be hard to maintain old friendships. Talking and meeting with other young mums and dads can be a good way to share experiences and feel less alone. After a while, as a young mum or dad you might want to arrange childcare so you can go to work or to school, college or university. Care to Learn provides grants of up to £5125 per child per year to help with the costs of childcare if you go into education. Check out the advice page for more information on the services to help young people on sex and relationships and www.ruthinking.co.uk

PAGE 19

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s l o o h sc

Coombe expands by Natasha Patel

oombe Girls’ School is well known for its leading edge status, being the one of 103 schools in the country and for being a specialist language school, securing its position as one of the country’s top state schools. Coombe’s examination results are well above the national Tiffin School on target to raise average. A ‘Special Achievement Award’ was given to £10,000 for Sudan appeal Coombe by the Department for Education and Skills in by Tom Whitehead-Clarke recognition of its excellent examination results. iffin School has recently However the school is not only famous for its awareness around our school. Both of embarked on a huge charity academic achievements but also for its exceptional these made a great impact on our open event that has taken up our achievement in sport. The physical education department evening when we held a collection for the entire year. Right from the start at Coombe plays a very important part in the life of every cause, raising over £100 in one night. our school’s ultimate target was to raise pupil at Coombe. There are 4 full time PE staff that Around Christmas time, the students £10,000 over the coming three terms in provide us all with wonderful opportunities through our and some of the staff from the school order to help people in Sudan. We P.E. lessons and extra-curricular activities. Fitness and decided to organise carol singing outside decided to use the charity of Education health is becoming a more and more increasing problem the Bentalls Centre in Kingston. A large Action International based in Sudan, to to all us teenagers, so the compulsory one lesson a week number of our community came down to help children who do not have access to to all pupils helps us all to stay physically fit. Also the support the cause, through which we proper education. Over the year the encouragement of the staff has helped me to become raised over £300. school has so far raised over £6000 more aware that fitness is very important at our age. Any Finally, and most recently, our school towards our target and we are well on pupil at Coombe can try out a wide range of activities organised a staff pantomime, where the our way to raising another £4000. The including trampolining, yoga, cross-country running, script and the casting was supplied by staff and the students in the school have basketball, netball, football, dance, gym, tennis and lots the teachers of the school. The managed to organise a series of events more. Many pupils represent Coombe and some often pantomime contained blind date, and efforts to raise the money. represent the Borough and even the County due to their karaoke, as well as other acts from the Right at the beginning of the year, our commitment and attendance at these clubs. We have teachers. It raised over £1000 for the school council decided on dedicating our had many successes in all areas of sport including our appeal. In the coming months, there are first mufti day to our Sudan appeal. Each year 10 netball team becoming Kingston Borough Netball further events happening, including the member of the school and our sixth form Champions and they were runners up in the annual “Tiffin Trek”, in which members from both was asked to bring in £2 as a minimum borough netball tournament. We have also had great the boys and the girls’ school will be donation to the charity. The generosity of involvement and achievement in the London Region sponsored for walking over a day. both students and staff raised around gymnastic competitions. Not only that but we are in the Hopefully with our previous efforts as £2500 for the charity. middle of having a new sports and performing arts facility well as the up-and-coming events, we To back up this effort the art being constructed on the premises. Hopefully this will will reach our target, and get the help to department constructed a palm tree, as encourage more pupils to participate in the variety of those who need it so much. well as a large Sudan flag to help raise sports available. Staying healthy and fit should be one of the main priorities at our age as this is the time in our lives we feel Richard Challoner School develops up and very energised and have more time to start a habit of exercise. The best place to start is at your school. coming band – The Siege Coombe has given me and many others a head by andrew dimmock ndrew Dimmock, Luke Ellis, Matthew Bolster and the school and its level start in many aspects of life , keeping healthy is just Carlos Garcia, AKA The Siege have over the past four of performing ability one of them. years created their own style of music and performing represented by an abundance capability. So far they have been performing in school of concerts. concerts with versions of classic songs and their own Only recently has The Siege been able to compositions. professionally record a track, ‘Caught me Saturday, 26th February, gave them the opportunity to crying’, with a renowned artist from Hundred perform a half hour set at a widely known youth centre called Reasons. This will be available soon on a Heatham House. This is their first large public performance and Heatham House compilation album it is greatly anticipated by both the band and their peers. consisting of many genres of music. Through years of effort and commitment they have created a We wish them the greatest success repertoire of unique songs and are greatly appreciative to the in the future. Heatham House Youth Workers for this experience. Richard Challoner School and in particular the Director of Music, Simon Amura, has also played an integral part in the development of If you want to include some news about your the band and other similar groups within the school. His time school or an interesting story, email and effort in the school in a short space of time has had a kewilsdon@yahoo.co.uk significant impact on the broadening spectrum of music within

pAGE 20

o start, I am supporting Indie Rock rather than the screaming of Goth and Metal music. So why should you listen to rock? Well for starters, Rock has inspired the biggest artists in the world ever! The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Sex pistols, Queen… the list is endless. Rock has inspired musicians throughout the 20th century, as you can see by the fact that Indie bands top the album charts in this country more regularly than other types of music, and so they should. My second reason: the alternatives. You have Pop, the less said about which the better, and dance, which leaves a lot to be desired. In addition you have the American’s favourite - hiphop and R’n’B. This music scene is rather lacking in originality, containing the likes of Jay-Z, Ice-T, P Diddy, Xzibit, and the late Big L. This alphabet soup of artists, is of course headed by such groups as G-unit, and have their videos directed by people like “Lil X”. It is a member of “G-unit” that I shall target first, because he is a joke. This is of course 50 cent. Many say that Hip-Hop turns people into crazed killers, which is of course wrong. I own two Eminem albums and have not the slightest urge to stab anyone (apart from possibly SUV drivers and George Bush). However, it’s undeniable that artists like 50 cent glorify gun violence. If you look at the lyrics from 50 cent’s latest album “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” (I

think we would have preferred the latter) it contains more munitions inferences than an IRA newsletter. I’ve looked at the whole album, and over 80% of the songs contain gun references. With gun crime as one of the fastest rising crimes in the UK, perhaps it’s true what they say: guns don’t kill people, rappers do! Well, now that we have established that some Hip-Hop artists encourage more violence than “Guns Weekly” let’s move on to rock and indie. The rock world relies on talent; whether you sing, play an instrument, or write the songs, you can’t possibly get anywhere in the world of Rock without talent and skill. This surely proves that rock is Darwinism in practise; the talented artists will live on to make great music, whereas the obsolete urban artists will eventually die off. Looking at a recent poll; the top three of the greatest songs of all time are all either rock, rock and roll, or well… by John Lennon, whereas there are hardly any Urban songs on the whole list! Hopefully all of you agree but are slightly puzzled as to where such greats as Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklyn fit into all of this. Well, I am a great fan of real Rhythm and Blues music; the thing is that at the moment current R’n’B isn’t real Rhythm and Blues; it is simply pop with base. Modern artists have stood on the shoulders of giants, and kicked them in the head. The progression a rock song can makie is

enormous e.g. (Citizen erased from Muse). Rock can also involve so many tempos, keys, and style changes within one song (e.g. Bohemian Rhapsody). It varies; it is ever changing and is always full of new talent. Not only that, but rock is universal across the world and simply travels better across the globe than any other style. Well now we look at sex. Yes, in the end, we have to analyse the fact that Rock doesn’t rely on sex, whereas urban music does. Where would Beyoncé be? Despite the fact that half of Beyoncé’s marketing strategy is rooted in her sexuality, she denies the fact. In an interview she stated “I like my music to sell itself, rather than use my sexuality”. Beyoncé, who are you kidding? Do you watch your own videos? The fact is that she, like the rest of the urban scene, uses sex to sell her music. The fact is that sex helps to sell urban, whereas Indie sells itself. All you need to do is compare videos from the two styles, the difference is marked. All I can say is this: if you’re not a fan of Indie, go out and buy an album anyway (Bloc party possibly) and listen to it just twice. If you don’t like it, you don’t ever have to listent to it again, but at least give it a chance. Doesn’t its reputation and pedigree mean that it deserves this at the very least. END

RocK

he Rock scene in this country is thriving with many great bands. Well known groups as Franz Ferdinand, The Darkness and Kasabian are only the tip of the iceberg as far as the Rock scene is concerned. At the moment there is a rock revolution happening right on our doorstep, with great new talent everywhere. Such bands as Nine black alps, The Subways, and Babyshambles are relatively unknown, whereas others such as Razorlight, Kasabian and the Libertines have broken through that barrier, and are now widely recognised. Such great

organisations as Xfm and NME magazine help these bands to break through, so if interested, go to them first. Despite this great depth of rock and Indie talent, I always hear on the radio about how there is a huge amount of urban talent in the urban scene, and yet because of the noncommercial nature of the rock/ Indie scene, the great bands out there aren’t given the same coverage. I would argue that we should try and find out about these bands, and raise their profile as much as we can. The rock rival going on is unlike any that we have seen since the early nineties with the Indie days of

oasis etc. However amongst this new wave of groups, a lot of influence has come from 60’s groups such as the Kinks and the Rolling Stones. These were the bands that made Britain the biggest music nation on the planet, and hopefully the new wave of bands will do the same thing. The fact is, that Britain has a far better rock pedigree than any other country in the world, and we are still producing these great bands now. My advice to all of you out there, would be to go and find out about these groups, and buy their albums. If you don’t like them then fine, but I guarantee that you will all find at

Opinionated as ever, Tom WHITEHEAD-CLARKE explains why for him Rock wins hands down over all other types of music. Next issue arguments for HipHop and RnB

least one band who’s music you love. The good thing about a lot of the bands around is that they are British, and so when you buy their stuff, the money is staying in the country, rather than out to the Americans. Here are the release dates, of some albums I’m going to buy, and I would advise that you do the same: Babyshambles: June, The departure: May 5th, The subways, Maximo park P.S. My tip for the year: Bloc Party! Watch this space, and keep this magazine until next Year’s Brit awards and see if I’m right! END

PAGE 21

GRAFFITI

ART by LAILA AL-AYOUBI

In a place where freedom of speech and individuality is available to all, not only available but encouraged, expression is a very important thing. Young people having the ability to express themselves is very important. The art of graffiti is misunderstood, even to the point where people hear the word and automatically look down on it. Some people see graffiti as a pest or as vandalism which means something to try and get rid of. They may have a point, but the fact is, it just won’t go. Just like everything else, graffiti is there for a reason, and that reason comes down to young people being able to express themselves. No matter what you think of graffiti, you must admit, something like this takes skill and it takes talent! This is not mess, it is art! It is expression! And so many youths express themselves in this way. Why is it that if you choose this way, you have become a criminal? We’re walking around showing graffiti on our clothes and even on our shoes. How much louder do we have to shout to show that we need somewhere to do this? I think we should be able to have a legal graffiti area in Kingston. Legal graffiti provides a constructive alternative for artistic talents. If there was a place, then there would be no need to damage public property (even though you shouldn’t damage public property anyway!). That way everybody wins! Young people are happy because they’re being appreciated and understood. Older people are happy because young people aren’t making their marks and damaging people’s property.

Interview with the DJ: Do you tend to work more with youths like this or do you DJ for adults as well? “ I DJ for adults as well but I like to do a lot of these nights for younger people.” Do you prefer to work with the older or the younger crowd? “The younger crowd to be honest. With a younger crowd you can test a tune out, and if you get a good reaction from them then you’re most probably gonna get a good reaction from the older crowd. You can only do that with the younger crowd, it doesn’t work the other way round.” Is there any particular kind of music you prefer? “Hip-Hop and R&B is what I prefer.” Is there a reason why or is it just a personal favourite? It’s a personal favourite for me” (-other DJ adds-) “Well that’s the in thing at the moment isn’t it – it’s what’s most popular with the crowd, a lot about being a DJ is to please the crowd.” So how long have you been DJing for then? “About 15 years” How did you get so successful and is there anything you’d like to say to anyone wanting to be in your position? “God, that’s a tricky question. You’ve just gotta keep putting yourself out there, getting in touch with promoters, just keep yourself known. There’s no real guide on how to be a successful DJ but if you’re dedicated enough then go for it!”

pAGE 22

The

s k r o W W

S ’ E N I T N E VAL NIGHT Review by youbi & Laila Al-A atel Natasha P

emselves in eone hurting th ult I imagined som and how diffic e dance-floor ght we’d chill th ou of th e e dl W id . it m sit n e th re to there whe find somewhe e-floor – get t them out of hitting the danc d happily would be to ge re it an fo rly be ea le ght that The hi irly w ou fa out a e were d. At first I th de e ow eu cr qu so y gr as w ace… ng, an d, but as soon a feel for the pl skipped the lo l that monitore – dance music al t ic . n’ us ld as m co w e e th ks th or on W ding in g section I was First focusing of people stan s with a fierce the no-smokin ixe in m g e B fa th a R& ith lit d w I an as p we’re noticed all the – mainly hip-ho “V.I.P please – That’s when I was but he e. DJ ov e m th a to ho d to w s ke as sure a kis inous yellow beat. I wasn’t I cheekily blew gether so big men in alum to d s an ne tu rs e magazine” and ce in th g un in bo ixing for go was brilliant! M giving us evils d a go at y! boy that was like liquid. I ha jackets – scar ed w flo ey ere where you th it l, el te w ia ec pr . ap competition th m I a s e d th es ha g gu I rin ey before hi te so Th en ce re had to do to searched befo DJing myself on ult it is. box. What you Xffic di an w e We had to be in m ho w g d in ow ul ch co I kn sear and strut your more because ough the lady on the podium l confident and t el w ge as ed en w Works and alth em be it g se in in w Hav ey decide who The girls there I still felt angry. the crowd. Th mind you, in a of – s nt n he (o fro was very nice ot d in cl f lte g uf su in st al felt in “off off off” if were very reve bing before, I cheerin, shoutin n’t exactly say n, ca oi lf I ha p bo ’t to underage club by en ut s er in -c w w low they and “X-box” if mini-skirt and der 18’s) that off the podium e girls had em os th as th t w I of an t behalf of all un t w ’ gh os ey ou M th f. ey th lthough ‘X-box anything mysel ith me when th figure (note to them to win. (a d el us te fe eo d an as cautious w rg di w I go e , ey a er W th d wev ncers). ey perfect legs an e same time ho r most of the da boys funny, th an adult! At th as shouted fo !). I found the confronted w et be di t n’ with some of on ld g go in Q ou – J. w ak l self that I or booty sh act to be al aj , m an at e th on m a e safer knowing so ng lik d tti ng ha pu ythi k dancing and where blatantly ith a knife or an t dancing, brea sticking to bo y nl Ro ai . m e by someone w rls e or gi er m e w y th le man if a da Smooth. Peop em to take so ere dancing as which was kin but they do se le. I do agree lot of people w their groups – op in t pe was moving g ou ty g un ci ic in tri yo us , ng ha ith us d pulse of elec DJ and the M te e th tra at precautions w it, en to th d nc e so lik co t en were moving it f… intimidating. Bu should have be body and they & strut my stuf r ei up e t th m that this event ge sa nd ve e to ou lie t th ar be no take still can’t s was too good t they should as amazing! I ality of the tune safety-wise, bu the beat – it w This is part of e. With the qu l. el am w sh those dancers. as a r of ts fo It’s e ul ith ad 100% going quality of som be a rs ly le ee al precautions w op ch rm e pe no th g un well as winning being played I’d em that give yo picked and as arms in the air, as g, w er r llin ap the whole syst ne ro sp in w w dy A ne bo , ith to g at the next it! Hair flipping t combined w actually dance ey’ll be dancin t th e n’ x m ca bo I bad name! (Tha so – Xn s e he th ep w st etc. the funky foot “Youth Yobs” g myself look headings like Works event. ng. If it was end up makin ro I w , life ng y hi m et ere I started to m ve r me so sa fo es n fu do e d or ol m hour or so in th ar ay an w r 14 ye ’s te at Af rtable th e ne do el more comfo stupid but to m 30’s and had ay. Just letting the place & fe ng yw to hi an yt up people in their ly an the m us ar ar of rio w e he se t a tiny piec than dancing ng you wouldn’ d not caring anaged to find an m ic e W us es something wro I m lin e. e er so ad th th he ed e ing. wasn’t pack yourself go with e adults” in th an uplifting feel or that actually ch flo like “troublesom esu f el is nc ys e da m lik fool out of e so what you look ce to make a om! There wer an e ro ch th n ff y would you!?) m of m bu e da t a lin go no as se f. There w all e club the ba There was just hich was a relie to each other, g w On entering th in in g, ild e ed in th bu sh nc e ut ua da th ho sq ed d e throug many people strong it seem on the spot an as on the stag music was so y! dancer that w ve you an ly do is bounce al ga re ch d hi ul as good & livel w co w – as u e it w I er yo with by en with that the atmosph Ev d ed . was vibrating an ris le t rp litt gh su a ni s as m w ed to move your ar atmosphere. I Natasha manag , it’s even a instant ‘into it’ Both me and ed and pushed at was there so w th bo le my high-heels el op gh ng pe tti to ou t of th ge nt ly pull and al ople just to ge ul sf pe the huge amou e es st er cc w pa su e g a good in er Th e all in all it was struggle budg only 7:30 pm! I truly loved th ling my feet – gerly kil gh ea early – it was e ou re th nc he Al w tra ! or en the dance flo le around the my research! ite disappointed crowds of peop night. Ah I love e through. Me e DJing I felt qu m th d co an to ic g. ds in us en m nc r fri rough da waiting for thei connected express that th hands to stay that I couldn’t ld he ha as at N to and h the crowd our way throug while weeding

Here’s what a few other people had to say:

The Works nightclub hosts a variety of

Message from ‘Sexy J’: I love da dreamteam it’s heavy, da valantines one has been da best one yet!

works events are available from The

Message from ‘Frog’: When is da next event cumin up dat is available? I fink there should be more events as they are great!

Message from ‘Kelly’: Da works was wel gd last night, luvin da dance off dat boi was heavy n dat gal can shake dat booty 2 gd. Nuff buff bois der but dey all had gals. Dey need more bois ders 2 many gurls

events for under 18’s. Tickets for all

Works reception. For up-dates or further information on The Works visit www.workskingston.com

PAGE 23

COMING DOWN

By Josh Taylor

This is an interview I did with a friend of mine, aged 14, not too long ago. This story is a success, but it is so easy fothis kind of situation to turn into a tragedy. The guy I interviewed wanted to do this to try and get across what he went through with drugs, so others wouldn’t follow in his footsteps.

How did you first get involved in drugs?

and want to kill them and then in the next 5 minutes I love them again.

Basically I had some mates at school who offered me some marijuana. I tried it and before I knew it I was doing way too much. I got in with the wrong crowd. I suppose they were taking me for a ride at the time, using me to get money but I didn’t think about that back then.

Have you noticed any differences in yourself since taking drugs?

You had to come clean to your parents about your drug problem as it was getting out of control and you were in debt. What was that like? Telling my parents was one of the hardest things I ever had to do in my life. I still haven’t told them everything and I don’t intend to. I didn’t want them to be disappointed or know that I had messed up but in the end I knew that the best way of dealing with it was telling them the truth about how bad things had got.

When did you get to the stage when you knew you had to stop? I was getting into debt, missing so much school and I knew that if I didn’t pull out then I would end up working in a supermarket. I didn’t want to be in a situation where I left school, got some kind of job and then spent all my money on drugs.

Did doing drugs affect your long term school life? Yeah, loads. In the end I had to change schools.

How come? I just wanted to get away, for a fresh start. I’d got a reputation for being a druggy at my old school and I didn’t like the way my mates were treating me. I just didn’t get on with people anymore.

Do you feel that it was hard getting back into a school routine after being away from it for awhile? Yeah, it’s really hard after you have been to school for a long time and then you start bunking because of drugs and then suddenly you have to go back to school. It hits you and you don’t really expect it.

What do you think your parents went through whilst you were involved in drugs? I feel really sorry for my parents because they have put up with so much stuff and they have had to pay off my debts. They have paid off more than £1000 and had to constantly bail me out. That has been really harsh for my parents. I just feel really guilty.

Yes definitely. I think I have been affected a lot. Before I started using drugs I was much happier and more outgoing. I was much more cheerful.

A lot of the problems for young people are not knowing what they are getting into and what the longer term affects are. It’s about awareness. Is there anything that you want to make clear to people?

When I started doing drugs I didn’t know anything about them. Although it seemed bad, at the time it was a new, exciting lifestyle. There are certain rules, barriers and things you can’t cross when you are doing it. This lifestyle was interesting at first but after awhile it gets boring, you also feel out of control and then you want to stop but feel powerless to. You end up owing scary people money.

Obviously there is a risk of victimisation when getting involved with certain drugs and coping with ‘friends’ who are essentially dealers who need you to pay up at a certain time. That’s right. When you first get into it you have people saying to you that you can pay me back later, or pay me back tomorrow. On the spot, at the time you don’t think about it but afterwards you really start to worry about how you are going to pay for it. When it is only £10 or £20 you feel that you can pay it without getting your parents into it or you can pay with your own money but it escalates and ends up being a lot of money and that is how you get into real trouble. Me and my family started getting threats, and I was worried about how far these guys were willing to go. I think now that I’ve been through it, the people you meet when you get involved in drugs affect you the most, and take the longest amount of time to sort out.

U R D

When did your debt get to a size you couldn’t handle? When I started trying harder drugs. Mostly I just smoked weed, but then I tried a couple of other things like magic mushrooms, and then it went all the way up to cocaine.

Cocaine? Yeah. That’s when things were at their worst. I never meant to start doing that kind of stuff at the start but it’s really hard to turn people down sometimes.

Do you feel that you have lost your parent’s trust? Yeah definitely. During the time that I was taking a lot of drugs, the relationship with my parents completely crumbled. I didn’t want to speak to them or see them. I think it is still like that sometimes. I am still arguing with my parents quite a lot.

Are you totally clean now?

How is your relationship with your family at the moment?

So things are looking up?

To be honest, it’s pretty hectic at the moment. I am always getting into arguments with my brother but I don’t know if that’s mood swings from the drugs. I tend to go through phases where I absolutely hate my parents

Yeah. I got decent results for my latest coursework, and I’m doing okay in all my mock exams. I’m never gonna go back to the way things were before, ever. END

S G U DR pAGE 24

I’ve stopped taking any kind of drugs now, and I’m starting to sort everything out with my family, and school and stuff. It’s not going to bad at the moment.

G RU

Interview with Josh’s friend’s mother Do you think that it was good that he came clean, off his own back, and talked to you about his problems? I think he had to be pestered all the way along and we had to work hard to get him to tell us about it. It was frustrating when you know somebody in their heart of hearts wants to tell you but they feel they can’t.

S G U R

Has it made you love him any less? No, never! I was very angry with him at times and didn’t like certain aspects of his character while he was taking drugs but I have never loved him less.

Do you feel that you have failed in any way as a parent?

Yes. We have lost trust but I think we have gained a lot as well as a family. I don’t think we have lost anything that is irreplaceable. He is still a really good person underneath and he always will be.

I have tried really hard to keep away from that thought because it is self-destructive. You question everything that you do as a parent and you will inevitably feel guilty and that it is a reflection on how you have done things. I like to think that we have always been loving and supportive and available to listen. We may have made the wrong decisions along the way but generally we have tried to make the best of what we can in this situation.

What has been the most difficult aspect to his drug taking?

Do you think that now everything is out in the open, your relationship with your son is improving?

The school situation really freaked me out. He wasn’t going into school and cut himself off from normal life. The fact that he wasn’t going into school put us in a bad legal situation. Another bad thing was dealing with all his debts because it cost us a lot of money but that wasn’t the worse thing. The worse thing was knowing that to begin with your own child did not feel able to come to you. I thought that we had always been good at talking as a family and I always hoped that when push came to shove he could confide in us.

I think there is a general trend upwards. We have bad days and good days. It all comes down to trust and I think we need a few more months before things can start improving.

Do you feel that it is quite difficult to relate to James after this and that you have lost something in your relationship?

Do you think that his teachers should have known and been involved? I found a good member of staff that I could talk to but the teacher who did say that he had had come in stoned to school was not a teacher I wanted to talk to. The school, given what they knew, did the best they could.

How has it affected you emotionally?

S G RU

It has been a rollercoaster of a year. I haven’t slept, it has affected my work, my relationship with my husband and with our other children. It has made me a nervous wreck at times. I became physically sick with worry. I felt very helpless. It is very difficult to explain to parents who aren’t in this position that you can’t stop your son from going out and doing what he wants to do. It has been really difficult to cope with it all.

DRUG CONTACTS & SUPPORT Magic Roundabout, 23 Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames KT2 5BW, Tel: 020 8974 9252 Connexions, Swan House, 51 High Street, Kingston, Surrey, KT1 1LQ, Tel: 020 8410 4105 Young Living – www.younglivin.org.uk Frank - 25 hr National Support Telephone Number 0800 776600 A young peoples Substance Misuse team known as ID that stands for Information Dealers is based throughout Kingston. The team is made up of Youth Workers, Alcohol Workers, Social Workers and a Nurse who are all committed to providing support, information and advice to young people. The services offered range from individual sessions, group work, project work and much more. To find out more please contact the numbers provided for ID. Lynn Lock, Young Persons Substance Misuse Social Worker, Eagle Chambers,18 Eden Street, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 1BB 0208 547 6954 Lynn.lock@rbk.kingston.gov.uk Joy Mckenzie, Lead Nurse Substance Misuse Coordinator, Hawks Road Clinic, Hawks Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 3EW, 0208 546 1115, joy.mckenzie@kpct.nhs.uk

Dora Loizou, Drug Education Worker, The Venner Youth Centre, The Manor Drive, Worcester Park, Surrey, KT4 7LG 020 8337 6260, dora.loizou@rbk.kingston.gov.uk Stuart Matthews, Youth Worker Kaleidoscope Project, 40/46 Cromwell Rd, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 6EN 0208 549 2681, kaleidoscope@can-online.org.uk

Has there been anything beneficial about this experience? I have learnt so much about myself and others around me from going through this.

Is there anything that you want your son to achieve? I want him to be happy. I want to see him not stressed and self-loathing. There is a carefree side to him that I want to see back. At the moment he is just weary of the whole thing.

Cannabis – Know the Score ID Marijuana, draw, blow, weed, puff, shit, hash, ganja Appearance Hash is a blacky-brown lump made from the resin of the plant. It's quite often squidgey Grass or weed is the dried leaves of the plant. It looks like tightly packed dried garden herbs. The Effects " It heightens the senses, especially when it comes to colours, tastes and music. " It can leave people feeling tired and lacking energy. " Getting ‘stoned’ on cannabis makes most users relaxed and talkative. The effects vary from person to person. Some people have one puff and feel sick. Others get the giggles until the muscles in their face hurt. " It can bring on cravings for certain foods. The " " " " "

Risks It affects short-term memory and ability to concentrate. Getting stoned affects co-ordination, increasing the risk of accidents. It impairs driving skills, so never get in a car with someone who is stoned. It can make users paranoid and anxious, depending on their mood and situation. Smoking joints with tobacco can lead to users getting hooked on cigarettes.

PAGE 25

THEFT: "

n the last six months, I have been a victim of a spate of robberies and I know those who have been devastated by theft. Items have sentimental value that thieves do not comprehend. A bike might just be a bike to them but to others it means something. When my £700 bike was stolen in France whilst I was on holiday I was furious and enraged, but also upset. I had been through a few years of serious problems and that bike illustrated the end of my strife and that bike meant a lot mentally. For weeks I looked at every bike

If you ever feel the urge to steal in the future, before you do, stop and think of the hurt you cause your potential victims. Think of what is just another source of money to you means to them. Read my stories and just remember; crime does not pay!

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THE OTHER SIDE by michael joslin

thinking it would be mine to no avail and the French Police were useless and didn’t do anything. Thieves have to understand the hurt and pain their actions cause. I thought it was all over but I was to be a victim again. I was on prefect duty at my school’s Christmas Carol Service, when I saw a man, who was clearly drunk, cycling past on my brand new bike that he had just stolen. He was planning to sell the bike to fund for his latest drinking spree and a string of similar thefts had been reported in Kingston. I rugby tackled him and got the bike back but he escaped. I went

to the Police station which was 30 seconds away and they said I had to wait 40 minutes before they could do anything. Can you imagine how that made me feel? I was raging for weeks and tried to hunt him down. I saw the man again in Kingston but he eluded me once more. It made me understand the social problems in Kingston and the whole country as a whole.Then a few weeks later my rage boiled over and my family began to bore the brunt of my shouting and abusive language.

One of my best mates had told me that his Uncle had had all of his christmas presents stolen from under his tree and family heirlooms plundered. It made me sickened and hurt. Christmas had been ruined for his family. That’s all they could and all they would remember about christmas 2004. My mate’s Aunt had a necklace taken that belonged to her deceased mother and it was a gut wrenching for her to lose such a priceless object, that had a value no other person in the world could ever understand. Can you imagine if you had something like that or if you do have something like that? How would you feel if it was taken from you?

MOPEDS

T F E H T & by Emma Ansell

Interview with a 17 year old who lives in Kingston and owns a moped. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOSTLY TARGETED FOR THEFT BY YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE BOROUGH? Scooters, motorbikes, cars, push bikes and mobile phones.

Who do people associate mopeds with? Teenage boys? Teenage girls? Or just people who want to get to work or travel quickly? It is in fact all of these, but the main one to focus on is boys and very few girls! I’m not targeting all boys but a handful of them.

What would you say to this scenario/question? You’ve saved up for a very long time, doing overtime and even going in on days you don’t have to. You count your money and think you’ve got enough, and you do what you’ve wanted for a long time; take lessons in learning how to ride a moped. You take the long hard lessons and you take the test and you’ve passed. You then go back to look at your money and think you have just enough to buy the moped you’ve seen in for example, J&S. You take it out with you whenever you want to go anywhere.

One day, you come back from work, put all locks on the bike and you are very tired by this point as it was a long shift. The next morning you go to get on your bike when it has gone and there is nothing left apart from the broken locks. Someone has stolen your bike! You report it stolen, the police then ask you for insurance etc, you give the details they need and they start the search. In the end they find your bike burnt and dumped far away. How do you feel? Not too good, I bet.

Why do people steal? -

to get what they cannot have or afford to be nasty to someone they may not like because they like being nasty to other people because they were influenced by friends they think it’s fun or clever

Moped theft statistics In 2000 - 2001, 3,642 mopeds were stolen. That’s an 15% increase on moped theft and it is still rising.

WHY DO YOU THINK THESE ARE TARGETED? They are or can be quick and easy to get and sold on fairly easily. WHAT PROBLEMS ARE CAUSED BY THESE THEFTS? Motor vehicle thefts, scooters etc, boost insurance, making it virtually impossible to get insurance on a car or bike etc. I keep getting stopped by the police checking I have insurance and checking the ped over which is annoying. Push bikes are similar. With mobile phone theft, people get hurt and taking a mobile is like taking someones privacy and memories etc. HAVE YOU HAD ANY THEFTS WITH ANY OF YOUR VEHICLES OR PAST VEHICLES? NO NEVER!!! I hopefully never will. Every vehicle I own is bolted to the floor and alarmed to high heaven. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO YOUNGSTERS WHO WERE THINKING ABOUT STEALING? DON’T! It’s not big and it’s not clever. It can also cause a lot of long term damage such as when you are applying for a job and you are filling out the job application, what do you say when you are asked about your criminal convictions? What do you say if asked about this in your interview? It’s just not worth it. THANK YOU FOR HELPING US TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT MOPEDS, MOPED THEFT AND HOW IT AFFECTS OUR LIVES.

Joyriding will not be accepted! It puts other people in danger as well as the person/people joyriding. Children, adults and the elderly could be badly hurt by these criminal’s stupid mistakes.

PAGE 27

BREAKING POINT how bullying left one girl stranded Bullying at school made Alisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life a nightmare. In this story she talks about the cruelty of young people, her despair and how she used the experience to become a stronger person.

ALISONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S STORY t all started at school with my best friend Georgina. I had been invited to her birthday party which was the next day. I met her the next day in the hall and then she said she didn't want me to go to her party because she wanted some different friends to go. I didn't make a big deal about it but I felt miserable and hurt for the rest of the day. After the weekend when we went back to school I sat down in the hall with Georgina and her friends who I normally hang around with. They did nothing but brag about how good the party was, leaving me out completely. I couldn't stand it so I stopped hanging around with my so-called friends. From then on they called me names and threw things at me in lessons. Soon it was all around school. No one would talk to me or even say hi! I was alone with no friends. I became

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very depressed so the doctor gave me permission to stay off school for two weeks. My mum said I didn't have to go back to the school if I didn't want to but when we went to talk to the school they said I had to go back and stand up to the bullies. Once my two weeks were up I went back to school yet nothing had changed and if anything it had gotten worse. I was in my science lesson and the throwing and name calling started, however the teacher did not do anything. I asked to go to the toilet; I was going to phone my mum. As I walked up the stairs to the English corridor where the toilets were a boy came up behind me and he got me into a headlock and strongly squeezed my breasts. I cried and ran to the toilet as fast as I could. I then phoned my mum and she told me to just walk out of

school and go to the place where she worked; which was only 5 minutes walk away. When I got to my mum's work she phoned up the school to let them know where I was and told them I would not be going back to the school. I stayed at home for over 4 months having home tuition. Then finally after my mum had appealed for me to go to Coombe Girls school I was accepted. Now I have been at Coombe Girls school for 9 months and I have lots of new friends. I'm very happy. The best thing I could ever have done was to leave my old school when I had the chance. END

BULLYING IN SCHOOLS WHAT IS BULLYING IN SCHOOLS? Bullying at school can be anything like name calling, intimidating and threatening behaviour, social exclusion and isolation and violence i.e. hitting, smacking, punching, kicking, biting, verbal abuse, stealing money or belongings.

WHY DOES IT START? Often bullies are jealous and envious of their victims. They bully for reasons such as: race, religion, skin or hair colour, families, a disability, looks or weight. It may start with a disagreement with a former friend.

HOW TO STOP IT.

Talk to someone Tell a teacher and your parents.

Make them listen! Parents need to approach school and speak to a teacher. If bullying persists keep a diary of all incidents. Your parents should write to the head teacher and the chair of governors. If any type of assault takes place at school a parent should contact the local police community, or school liaison officer. If the bullying persists and the school are unable to stop it your parent should contact your LEA education welfare officer for advice. If all else fails consider changing schools or be educated at home.

HELP " Bullying online

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

A boy came up behind me, got me into a headlock and strongly squeezed my breasts.

(www.help@bullying.co.uk)

" Magic Roundabout, 23 Richmond Road, Kingston, 020 89749252. Provides information on and support for bullying.

" Check out www.younglivin.org.uk for lots of useful information

" Samaritans (08457909090) " LEA youth services, i.e. drop in centre or youth club

â&#x20AC;?

" Visit www.educationotherwise.co.uk for advice on home educating

" Contact local police community or school liaison officer

PAGE 29

e’d all like to pretend that at any stage in our lives, we will never settle to be treated like anything less than the dazzling, fantastic, talented person that we are. (Hell yeah...) This goes for our school-, family-, (and most importantly) love- life. The truth, most of the time, is sadly somewhat amiss. Lets take the subject of this week’s letter as an example.

he thing is, the way I see it, we have the rest of our lives to find the “one” (or the “several”) and proper, believable love. So these years of our lives should be spent gaining experience in how to pick the good eggs from the rotten - and hopefully find, in the end, the kind of love we’re after. But you know what? It might be rubbish to be with the wrong person after the happy bit, it really doesn’t matter. It’s still experience baby! In fact, if they’re a horrid boyfriend, they’re only experience. They don’t have to be anything more. Think about it like that; if they’re a lovely guy, then great! But if they’re just, on the whole, not good, then they only ever have to just be an experience, nothing more. A friend of mine was shocked when I told him this philosophy on relationships. His theory was that you shouldn’t consider going out with someone unless you loved them. But nowadays, what defines love? And if we never go through experiences (good, or bad) how can we

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“

Dear Jo, I really like my boyfriend, but a lot of the time, he treats me like I’m not that important to him. I don’t want this kind of behaviour 24/7 – I want someone who loves me and isn’t afraid to show it. But I don’t just want to give this boy up. What happens now?”

know what love really is? And, might I add, it can be mighty hard to even find a normal, nice-enough person around that you like, to then have to wait around to see if you start loving them (and may I

nothing, except showing you exactly what you don’t want in a relationship. You deserve far better, and to be honest it’s not going to be hard compared to the

While the wrong person can be rubbish to be with after the happy bit, it doesn’t matter. It’s experience baby! say before) you’re even in a relationship? Get real, darling. Life, and these teenage years, are, lets face it, far too short and interesting to sit at home and not lift a finger till ‘love’ (whatever that is) comes knocking. Sweetheart, start opening some doors yourself. So to go back to the original problem. This relationship can go wherever you want from here. If it was me, I’d say cut your losses, mark it down as part of your experience, and thank the guy for

loser who’s treating you like this. Live a little – you can afford to let this relationship go, because it’s not worth wasting the time over it right now.

and r e v O Jo x , t u o

”

love, love, love…??? Is being in a relationship all it is cracked up to be? Beka Ghosh looks at the pros and cons of being single and gives some much needed relationship advice.

Once again we have got through the dreaded event of the year…Valentines day. Phew... This article will talk you through the pros of being single and attached. We all know what its like on February 14th when all your mates get cards and you get … well, none. But that’s not always a bad thing. There are pros and cons for being single and attached. Yes I know it may seem great to have a perfect girl/boyfriend to cuddle up with. But are they always that perfect? And what about being independent and having the time to do what you want in all your free time, like going shopping or having a girlie gossip, without having to compromise all the time.

Here are a few relationship dilemmas that I have replied to:

Girls

bois

My boyfriend’s great. We’ve been going out for 3 months now and we are really close, but the other day I saw him kissing my sister. He denied it and so did my sister. I really like him but I don’t know what to do. Steph

I’m going out with a girl I have liked for ages and I went out with her and had a really good time but I’ve got really close to this other girl and she really likes me back. I don’t want to end it with my girlfriend because I really like her, but I can’t keep seeing the other girl. What can I do? Michael

Well Steph, you need to find out what’s going on! He is obviously cheating on you; you saw it with your own eyes. He is not worth it if he treats you this way. However, it does work both ways and your sister is involved too. They both betrayed you. This is a big thing, but you have to let him go.

We asked in a recent poll whether you would rather be single or attached. 80% of people would rather be going out with someone, and the other 20% would rather be single!

Pros for being single. " You can go to parties and not have to worry about cheating. " You have total freedom. " You don’t have to worry about buying presents for a boyfriend/girlfriend. You can

Well Michael, I know it’s hard but you’re going to have to choose. You can’t keep lying to both girls. You need to consider how you would feel if you were in their situation. Someone will end up getting hurt. It all depends who you like the most. Make a decision - it’s the right thing to do. I’ve being going out with this girl for about 8 weeks and I don’t think it’s working out. What’s the best way to break up with her? George Well George, the best way you can split up with her is to tell her the truth. Instead of coming up with some lame excuse, tell her the truth and she will thank you in the long run. Remember; always be sensitive to her feelings and let her down as gently as you can. You can give her a hug if she is upset.

save up the pennies and buy a little something for yourself.

" You can hang out with your mates without getting hassled. Pros for being attached. " Someone to have extra cuddles with. " If he/she is the right person they can give you support when you are down. " You might get presents. " You get someone to love and get loved in return.

PAGE 31

Get the advice and support you need from Connexions g h anythin t i w p l e h s can n to drug o i t a Connexion c u d e ers and nancy. g from care e r p e g a d teen misuse an Connexions South London provides information, advice and support for 13-19 year olds and up to 25 year olds with learning difficulties or disabilities. Through partnership working with many different agencies and organisations, Connexions South London helps young people to make informed decisions that affect their lives and futures. Connexions South London can help with anything from careers, education, drug & alcohol misuse, health and lifestyle issues, teenage pregnancy issues and much more. Information, advice and support is provided by Personal Advisers who come from all walks of life, bringing with them a wide range of experience.

Connexions PAs can be found in schools, colleges, youth clubs or your local Connexions Centre: Drop in to: Swan House, 51 High Street, Kingston Tel: 020 8410 4105 Connexions also has a helpline which is open from 8 am till 2 am: Email Text Call Visit:

www.connexions-direct.com 077 664 13 219 080 800 13 219 www.connexions-southlondon.org.uk

d e p l e h s n o i x e n n o C How e f i l y m e g me chan here were many reasons for me to go in to the Connexions Centre. I have very mild Tourette Syndrome and ADD. This was not diagnosed until I had left school. I would have done better at school if I had had the support that I needed. I was also bullied throughout school. I'd been depressed as far back as I could remember, and had been self-harming since I was about 14. I needed to sort my life out! I was assigned to a Personal Adviser (PA), Valerie Smith. Speaking to Val helped a lot and the best thing about it is that she has been a constant in my life - I don't think I would have felt so safe and well supported if I had been given lots of different people to talk to. I went to a talk by the organisation Raleigh International all about their Motiv8 division

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which was for 'at risk' young people just like me. Not long after I had joined Motive8 I went on a residential. There was lots of walking, the team camped out for two nights and did a river crossing - all in the middle of October! The idea was to assess whether we were prepared and committed enough to go on a full expedition. I never thought I would complete the outdoor activities but I did with flying colours. I felt really proud of my achievements and was looking forward to the next step. I have now been accepted on an expedition to Namibia and will soon be starting out on the adventure of my life. I will be involved with several projects including helping the community build something and helping them keep track of endangered animals. I never thought that I would have

the opportunity to experience anything on this scale - travelling, learning about other cultures and helping people in other countries. It has been possible because of the support of a number of different organisations for which I am very grateful. Whilst all this has been going on, I have worked on developing my own web-site www.perfectinside.co.uk - an information and support site for young people who are depressed and think about self-harming. Creating this website has been a big part of helping me to work through my issues and helping me to make more sense of everything. Things are beginning to get better for me and I hope that my website and whatever I do with my own experiences can go some way to helping others. END

Teen

ts h g i R r u o Y W AND THE LA

Employment: AL GENER RULES If you are under 16 you must get a work permit. It is up to your employer to get one for you. If they do not, they are breaking the law.

WYER BY LUCY SA

er n und o s r e Any p attends o 16 wh must: l schoo

" NOT work before 7 am or after 7 pm No person, 16 or under may do any of the following jobs:

" Only work 2 hours on a school day - either one hour " Deliver milk or fuel oils " Work in a butchers shop, slaughter house or kitchen (such as in Macdonald’s or a restaurant)

before school and one after or both before school

" Have 2 consecutive weeks per year where they do not work. (These must be in a period where you don’t have to attend school)

" Collect or sort rubbish " Collect or sell anything door to door " Work with any harmful chemicals or machinery " Work in any pub, club, bar, cinema theatre or betting office

3-14? AGE 1

6-17? AGE 1 Once you are 16 you can still do all the same jobs of 13 to 15 year olds but for longer. You can now work for 8 hours on a Saturday or in school holidays, and up to 35 hours a week during school holidays. The government is in talks to introduce a minimum wage of £3 an hour for 16 to 17 year olds.

At age 13 or 14 you cannot legally have a job! You may:

" Deliver magazines and newspapers " Work in a shop, hairdressers, office, café or restaurant " Work in kennels, a cattery or riding stables You can work 2 hours on a school day or Sunday as long as it is in the right time span (see general rules). You can work 5 hours a day on Saturdays and school holidays, but you may only work up to 25 hours a week in the holidays. However you may not work during school hours or for more than 12 hours a week during term time. Unfortunately there is no minimum wage if you are 13 to 14 years old.

R 13? UNDE

Sorry! No child under the age of 13 is permitted to work any hours in any job. The legal age for getting a job is 13, and even then, there are many laws you and your employer must abide by.

Information and Advice www.careersdirect.org.uk – then Jobs/Training & Education www.youthinformation.com – then Employment and Training www.workingintheuk.gov.uk – then applying for a work permit

PAGE 33

waLKING Girls....meet the boys! D” BOY THE “LOU

THE “BOY NEXT DOOR” BOY to identify. very easy ets with This boy is g the stre in and found stalk tle is lly h ra w e n to e G boy likes A is t. th e re s, st te a his m ross the u from ac ys is that shout at yo onception with gu s misc T TRUE! U common is. IT’S NO ese th th y jo ith n w e d us girls ing involve tt e g e lik girls don’t and show are scary e guys; they tive. (We lik si n s as inse h!) g u o th themselve ts n complime getting the

THE “SHY ” BOY The shy b oy can be ide quite easi ly. Normally ntified seen walking q uickly, he may have earphones in and will de be looking at his feet. finitely This boy is quiet an d shy, he doesn’t lik eye conta e ct and he doesn’t fin making frie d nds easy. If you wan to catch th t is type of boy, give him a sma ll smile an d build it up from there !

THE “TAKEN” BOY

Not so easily identi fied. This boy is perfect. Sometim es found with headphones on, sometimes with his hands in his pock ets or sometimes even with a skateboard . This boy looks ah ead of him when he wa lks, showing that he is confident, friendly and approachable . If he catches your eye as you walk past, he’s interested. Sm ile back and say “Hi!” and he won’t have the heart to ignore you. This boy is for keeps!

ady ntify the boy that is alre Finally girls, how to ide h a girl on their wit nd fou are st mo y, taken. Obviousl ea d, not only do they hav arm. On the other han lking wa nd fou be y can also spring in their step, the ’t looking or isn he and him at nce really fast. If you gla he isn’t is taken. Or I’m afraid turns his face away, he looking and g lkin es found wa interested. He is sometim ch any cat ’t don he so , him at the ground in front of the shy get him mixed up with girlie gazes. But don’t to be unfaithful nt wa t sn’ doe t jus He boys, he isn’t shy. to his lucky girl!

FASHION

EVERYTHING ? by KEVIN ARULRAJAH

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personalities What impression do you give? by ABBI WEBB

Boys....meet the girls! THE “DR EAMER” GIRL

R” GIRL THE “POPULA

on her r seen walking This girl is neve girl is is th with friends, own. Always rd to get ha it d fin ld wou insecure. You her mates. has to be with her alone, she ll pu her away, d manage to r Even if you di iet without he qu is e se sh e sh if t, you would reali ac an e this put on posse. Girls lik ay, be nice you take her aw let to ng illi is w and sensitive.

THE “STALKER” GIRL

Boys, if yo u find this girl, don’t walking w let her go! ith a daze Often see in her eye music or st n s, miming aring up a along to h t the sky. She has h er This girl is igh aims, a b h ig igh-flyer. Very likely to go far in ambitions and is a dreamer. life, this girl lucky eno ugh to ca is sp ecial. If yo tch her eye something u are , smile an random. C d say hances are she is thin king it too !

THE “PRETTY” GIRL

Don’t worry, this girl does not stalk boys, but she stalks the streets. Stubborn, opinionated and confident, this gir l strides her way through not only the stree ts but through life. Don’t start arguments, you won’t win with thi s girl! Likely to ge t to places on time an d complain when she is running late. This girl is not open to contrasting opinion s. She won’t get on with you if you arg ue with her all the time. She needs a guy who is strong bu t silent. Be sensitive and that way you’ll ge t your own stalker. Luck y you!

ou are walking down your local high street. You are walking past top brand shops and you fancy buying a new pair of trainers. You walk into a shop and start looking at this new pair of Nike trainers. You look at the price tag and you think where can I get this kind of money? You can wash cars for £5, look after pets or if you’re old enough even baby-sit. You might like to wear top brand clothes because you want to fit in with your mates and you might think that it will make you more popular. You might think your friends only like you because of your image. But

sometimes you might be wrong. Your friends might like you because of your personality and might not care about your image if you were in old clothes. As fashion is growing, everything is used as fashion! For example Timberland is a brand specialist for mountain hiking and camping but people use Timberland boots as just a pair of trainers. Even the NBA which is a basketball league in America is importing clothes for each basketball team. People wear this type of clothing because rap stars wear them in their music videos. I personally think fashion isn’t important.

pretty girl. Not Finally boys, meet the girls are most se the tty, pre y necessaril lking like wa for commonly known wearing tight nd fou lly rma No ns. pengui t and overfee d nte poi skirts, outward are more s girl done make-up. These ry girls, but Sor s. be’ nna wa lk like catwa ive! act attr this guys just don’t find a skirt that get ; ice adv of rds wo Some and get a fits, lose some make-up notice the will You e. tud atti ter bet rt smiling at difference when guys sta ng! ghi you instead of lau

However I would like to get new clothes instead of wearing old clothes. Overall I think there is too much pressure on young people to look a certain way and to buy expensive clothes to keep up with the latest fashion. Often young people feel that they need to have the same clothes or look as their friends. Magazines and what celebrities are wearing influence us and make us too image conscious. I think it is best to be an individual when it comes to what you wear and how you look. There are more important things in life than brand names and designer clothes. END

PAGE 35

Self It is very difficult to stop self-harming without anything else to replace it and it is a decision only you can make.

harm F

Ways to tell if someone you know is suffering from self-harm. The person dislikes themselves They can be sensitive to rejection They can be very angry towards themselves They are sad and depressed and possibly even suicidal

nd If you or a frie is it s rm ha lf se to lk ta important to i.e , al on a professi ol doctor or scho nurse.

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or a lot of people self harm is a way for them to release their inner pain or take their mind off surrounding problems by cutting, burning, scratching, stabbing or bruising themselves; this may take place sporadically or regularly. The people who have this condition can be any age but the majority are young (teens). Often, self-harm starts with an inner turmoil or from experiences that are difficult to handle in the past or present. It is common for people who self harm to feel lonely or unable to express their feelings in a suitable way.

Self-harm is becoming more talked about and discussed recently than before and now is a good time for people who do self-harm to talk and share their problems with others. Now, some celebrities are admitting to have had the illness and are helping self-harmers stop their problem. Angelina Jolie, Lara Croft, says that due to stress and emotional pain she felt she had no other way out but to cut herself. “I didn’t fell close enough to another person so I’d cut myself.” Amy Studt, singer, cut her arms and legs with scissors because she was being

by Lewis Woodhead

bullied at boarding school. Cristina Ricci, actress burned herself with cigarettes and said “sometimes I would faint from the pain but it was the only way I could cope.” It doesn’t matter how big or deep the person cuts. If they cut deeper, it doesn’t mean they are unhappier, they injure themselves to show they are unhappy. Do not despair if you do self-harm. Stopping is easier if you can find other ways of expressing or coping with your feelings, and there is a lot of help available. (See Help and Support section at bottom of page) END

help and support If you do self-harm you must try and confide in someone that you trust like a friend, parent or teacher who can help you to get support. Visit: Magic Roundabout 23 Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 5WB Tel 020 8974 9252. Provides confidential advice and counseling. Check out: www.younglivin.org.uk – loads of advice and contacts www.selfharm.org.uk - great information and support website www.selfharmalliance.org – supports those affected by self-harm

S T C A F

1) - We are all becoming fatter

S E Y

2) - Advertising foods to children is effective and influences their choices and consumption

e sake of fat kids t for th s u j not and

The statistics; In 1990, only 4% of under 15’s were officially ‘Obese’. Now it’s over 15% of under 15’s and even 10% of six year olds. That doesn’t even cover the people that are over weight, just the people that are obese to the point that their health and lives are in danger! Basically, we’re getting fatter and it’s not surprising considering that the finger is being pointed to the junk food adverts surrounding us. Even in 2000 the National Diet and Nutrition survey said that most of us are having dangerously high levels of fat, salt and sugar, far more than the recommended amount. Another scary fact - For years and years

each generation has lived longer than the one before. This however, is the first generation that the life expectancy has gone down from the previous generation. The reason simply being that we’re eating so much junk food! It’s hard enough not to eat these foods when you’re addicted to junk food that is highly flavoured, highly salted and full of fat (and it is addiction by the way!). It’s even harder to stay away from that kind of food when you’re surrounded by adverts telling you how great it is, especially when you have cravings. The “Does Food Promotion Influence Children” review in 2003 showed that advertising food to children significantly affects their food preferences, purchasing decisions and general consumption. You may see it just as stuff to eat but as well as the risks, junk food will actually make you

3) - Kids and teenagers are eating too much salt, sugar and fat.

hungrier afterwards; it’s all about sugar levels. When you eat junk food you have a burst of energy because your sugar levels are high. Once that burst of energy has gone, your sugar levels drop lower than it usually is. Therefore, you become tired and crave food that will get your sugar levels back up. Eating other types of foods (mainly complex carbohydrates) will give you a constant level of energy throughout the day. REMEMBER, FOOD IS YOUR BODY’S FUEL! Junk food is ok for a treat now and then but we shouldn’t be having it more then once a week.

SHOULD JUNK FOOD

BE BANNED? By Laila Al-Ayoubi There is already a very strict ‘code of practice’ for advertising “junk food.” 1) - Advertisements should not encourage children to eat or drink frequently throughout the day. 2) - They should not encourage excessive consumption.

3) - Advertisements should not suggest that these these “junk food” snacks should replace meals. Apart from that, only 12.9% of parents are in favour of banning food advertisements according to a recent survey. With a strict advertising code already in place and with parents clearly stating that they do not want to ban perhaps we should point the finger elsewhere than the food industry. One of the main contributors to growing

We support Jamie Oliver in helping to improve the quality and nutritional value of school dinners.

obesity is that we’re simply not exercising anymore. Over the last 20 years we have been living a more static lifestyle where it has become a rarity for us to walk anywhere. Lack of exercise and not burning off enough calories that we eat has ie w v an obvious impact. f

m Fro

ie an p om ec

oin p s

Let us know what you think of your school dinners by emailing kewilsdon@yahoo.co.uk for a feature in the next issue.

PAGE 37

The Bulletin BoarD

Have your Say!

By Lucy Sawyer and Nazrene Hanif, Bulletin Board Co-ordinators

Recently we launched the Bulletin Board, live now on www.younglivin.org.uk. We feel that often young people are not listened to and our views are ignored so we decided that it is time that we have our say. The Bulletin Board gives you the chance to air your views and express your opinions on topics that are of relevance and interest to young people. Every week we come up with two new topics that are added and we want you to join the debates by adding your thoughts and opinions online. By doing this you will be informing us, as an editorial group, of certain things that need to be raised and covered in this magazine in the future. We also intend to give feedback to adults on what you think, so we will be collecting all of your comments and including some of them weekly in a local newspaper. Here are examples of recent Bulletin Board debates:

Do you think it’s right that under-16s can get the morning after pill without their parents consent? Alice: I think that it is right because otherwise under 16s wouldn’t use contraception and there would be more unwanted pregnancies in young teenagers because they would be too scared to ask their parents for access to contraception. Jo: Yes I think it is right because they have the right to make their own decisions and it may reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies.

Do you think banning caps and hoodies is right or just discriminative? Lewis: I think that hoods should be allowed because I don’t see why they are bad in the first place. It is just stereotyping and the police should be aware of this. Nazrene: I don’t think it’s right to ban hoodies and caps, as I don’t believe in changing the way people want to express themselves. However I can understand that this ban could help in shopping centres, as it allows people to be identified easily on CCTV.

Would you be willing to pay more for a healthier school dinner? Do you feel that teenagers are under too much pressure to do well in exams? Morgan: I don’t think that it’s pressure from teachers and friends but pressure from yourself, worrying about your future or trying to be perfect which is never realistic. Stacey: Yes! I think teenagers are put under a lot of pressure; however it’s for your own good. You need to be put under pressure in order to do well.

So why don’t you join the debate? Go to www.younglivin.org.uk and click on Bulletin Board on the menu. Got an idea for a topic? Email kewilsdon@yahoo.co.uk

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Eman: No, although healthier school dinners are the correct option children should not be required to pay more for a healthier option. Stacey: Yes! Lots of young girls go on diets and want healthy food. I like salad. Tom: I would be willing to pay more for healthier meals, however the government should subsidise school dinners to make them healthier without the higher prices

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY? By Michael Joslin

Racism has become an increasingly important and controversial issue in the UK. Michael Joslin expresses his own deeply held views and puts forward a case for his way of thinking. he skies are bright, smoke is coming from a family barbeque and children are playing in the street. It seems like a normal day, a normal street in a normal country. However something is dreadfully wrong; something is threatening the very nature of how we live. A man of Indian origins walks along the street, turns round the corner and sees a group of men. ‘Paki,’ ‘get out my country,’ and other verbal atrocities are uttered at the man. This is a national disgrace and this is what is wrong with this country. And the extent to which it has spread has left the country at cultural meltdown in our communities. I am sure many of you have seen slogans on billboards such as ‘It’s not racist to put a limit on immigration,’ ‘it is time to put a limit on immigration’ and ‘are you thinking what we’re thinking? Vote conservative.’ You may not know it, you may not feel it and you may not even understand it but a despicable change is occurring in the way you think. Day by day, thought by thought, breath by breath you are changing. This country is changing. Our opinions are changing. Do you know what? I hate it, I can’t stand it and I want to fight it. But how can I? With parliamentary candidates using slogans such as ‘What part of send them back Mr Blair don’t you understand?’ and party leaders commenting ‘that nobody voted for this country to be multi-

T Racism is spreading through every village, town and city in Britain

cultural’ how can a lone voice fight against the tide of ill informed racist feeling rising in this country? I believe that is a sad reflection on this country that people believe it, people want to throw the immigrants out and they want to abuse them. The British National Party received 192,850 votes at the 2005 general election, which is a sign of how far this problem has spread. It shows this country is descending to levels of indecency and barbarity never seen since the dark ages. When innocent people are getting beaten up because of where they come from there is a problem. When innocent people are getting verbally assaulted because of their skin colour there is a problem. The problem is so great I believe there is no greater issue facing the government of the UK today. I believe we are in time of national distress, disaster and decay. The time to correct the problem is now. We must act before we no longer can and restore the racial tolerance in this country. We must fight for what is hard and fight for what is great, and no matter who we are and where we come from, we must unite together to create a nation of racial inclusion and racial tolerance and a nation where everyone can live in peace. What can we do? I believe all that can be done is to spread the truth. The British people are intelligent enough to make the right choices, the right decisions and the right judgements when

faced with the cold naked truth. Maybe we do need to put a limit on immigration. But when you mix up the issue with asylum and create a level of hatred that the refuges are trying to escape from, it is a blotch on the so called ‘freedom’ of this country. Asylum seekers are hated, despised and beaten up because of who they are. These people flee from torture, from oppression and from hatred in their home countries. Britain is seen as Island of Hope, an Island of Prospects and a place where they would kill to live. How different the truth really is. Did you know that just fewer than 50,000 asylum seekers came here last year? It’s a nominal number and I believe it is an acceptable number. This country is seething with unmerited hatred and the politicians just sit there and allow it. Peoples lives are being broken, people’s hopes are being smashed and the politicians just sit there and allow it. Racism is raging and the politicians allow it. I believe that Britain is shackled by the chains of a hideous repugnance and they should be broken with the words and actions of friendship and hope. Hatred is cruel, but when it is based on one’s skin, or one’s birth of country and not on who you are, it is even worse. It is the greatest sin, the greatest crime and the greatest threat to our way of life. I just hope all of you want to rev up the chain saws and attack those shackles full on!

PAGE 39

END

WIN AN IPOD SHUFFLE

By Natasha Patel

Do you think that you have a flair for creative writing or a talent for photography? Have you ever thought about publishing some of your work? Well here’s your chance!!!!!!!!!! We are running a competition to find young people who have creative talent, whether is is a piece of writing or a photograph. The theme for your work must be something, someone, a place or a moment/memory that inspires you. It could be based on something that has helped you through a specific moment in your life or a memory that you feel has inspired you. You can do it on paper and send it to us via this address: Michael Wong Kingston Youth Service, Guildhall One Room 103, Guildhall Surrey KT1 1EU Or you can email it to us on: kewilsdon@yahoo.co.uk Make sure you include your name, age, address, telephone number and email.

The person that gets 1st place will win an iPOD shuffle !!!! The person who comes 2nd will get £20 worth of HMV vouchers.

Photo courtesy of Apple

Terms and Conditions The person who comes 3rd place will get £10 worth of HMV vouchers The closing date for all entries is 15 October 2005

pAGE 40

Winners will be notified via email/telephone/post and the results will be published on the Younglivin website (Younglivin.org.uk). The top three will have their work published in the next issue of Youth Unlimited where it will be seen by young people in the area of Kingston.

Members of: KYC, Youth Unlimited editorial team and journalists and their families are not eligible to enter this competition. The judges’ decision is final. Competition is only open to readers between ages of 11 to 19.

THE TEAM

! ! A

JOSH

LAILA

! L

H NATAS

TOM

E MICHA

CHRIS

LUCY

NE NAZRE

STACE

LEWIS

CIA LAETI

! Y

AN MORG

A BECK

KEVIN

ABBEY

ALAA

PAGE 41

YOUTH EVENTS AND STUFF gOING ON

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albany park young persons adventure club

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dventure outdoor ang people for you

Thursday evenings 6.30-9.30pm all year round For ages 13-19 years Members £2.00, Non-members £2.50 per session A weekly club session that will provide the required skills leading to residential trips at a range of venues around the UK. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in a programme of activities which include:– Come along and try or join us regularly as a Member Annual Membership £7.00

Kayaking Canoeing Dinghy Sailing Rock Climbing Sea and Surf Trips White water Kayak and Canoe Trips Mountain-biking / Off-road Cycling Powerboating

Membership Benefits: Weekly club sessions leading to regular residential trips in a wide variety of activities Exclusive Albany Park photo ID card Club Newsletter Albany Park Adventure Club merchandise Discounts with several outdoor/watersport retailers – e.g. 10% discount at Whitewater Canoe Centre High quality tuition from qualified staff Loads of FUN!

e & Sailing Centre Albany Park Cano

Priority is g given to youn th wi le peop

Park Road, Albany Mews, Albany s, Surrey KT2 5SL me Tha n Kingston upo 8549 3066 call Jon or Phill on 020 For more information ark.co.uk nyp lba w.a 8547 5812 or ww Bookings ONLY: 020

Membership

"Don't you find that 6 weeks holiday is too much and you get bored before it's up?" If you are 13-19 years old and over B.ART is a new exciting art project that will be running over the 6 weeks summer break. Activities will include: Graffiti Art Fashion Design Cartoons Drawing and painting Group Artwork Clay Sculptures And many more For more information please call Melissa on 020 8390 2056 or 07795978328, or email - melissa.inniss@rbk.gov.uk

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Running from 26th July - 1st September 2005 Every Week on : Tuesdays 10am - 4pm School Lane Youth and Community Club School Lane, Suribiton Surrey, KT6 7QJ Thursdays 10am - 1pm Dickerage Adventure playground Dickerage Lane, New Malden, KT3 3PE

FREE

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YOUTH EVENTS AND STUFF gOING ON ///////////////

Duke of Edinburgh open AWARD Do you want a fun and exciting challenge? Are you interested in being involved in a non-competitive, yet rewarding programme of personal development? Offering you the opportunity to fulfil all these goals, taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh expeditions programme also results in you getting an award. Bronze (aged 14+) or Silver (aged 15+) Enjoyment is guaranteed, but commitment and perseverance is required.

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh - My experience By Sandhya Narayanamurthy, Aged 17 did my Bronze expedition via Kingston Youth Service, where we did our assessed expedition at Southdowns, near Brighton. There were about 20 of us and we split up into teams of 3 called: Peas and Ham, The Incredibles and The Monkeys! It was my first time camping and I can definitely say that I really enjoyed the new experience. The first thing to be appreciated are the views; they are absolutely panoramic and it is brilliantly peaceful to be in the wilderness. It felt so amazing to see the beginnings of spring; breathtaking blossoms...adorable animals...thrilling landscapes...we were absolutely amazed by what we saw. At the campsite we played loads of games and ate good food (pasta, noodles, chocolates, name the junk food, it was there!) and there was a neighbouring paddock with many beautiful horses, and some of us took our hot chocolates and stood on the other side of the fence watching horses with the sunset as a

backdrop...HEAVENLY OR WHAT! Unfortunately there were bad experiences too: it was freeeeeezing at night (plus it rained!) One thing to have ALWAYS is extra pairs of thick socks and a pillow to sleep on and some of us did not really take enough warm clothing in our rucksacks. Speaking of rucksacks...whoa...they were HEAVY! - that includes the tent and trangia stoves! We really felt the weight of the rucksacks when we had to ascend the large contours, not to mention raw, red blisters on feet, stiff backs and nearly fractured shoulders! A funny thing that happened to our team was that we had to cross a field full of cows... we got chased by them and had to continue our journey by waling through the next field where we encountered a low wire fence that looked suspiciously like an electric wire fence (and it was wet!!!!!!)....gosh we had so much fun!! All along we kept team spirit high and entertained ourselves by singing and basically working very well as a team (e.g. pushing each other uphill

when some of us were fatigued). We found this to be highly essential- team work, a sense of responsibility and commitment, and good communication. It wasn’t like one of us did all the map reading and the others just followed. When we got lost we had the whole group coming together as a team to work out what went wrong (plus yummy snacks shared with everyone!) In the end, I ended up making many new friends, excelling in cooking pasta and putting up tents, and passing my Bronze expedition with flying colours! If anyone asks me whether they should do D of E, I would absolutely recommend it as apart from doing the expedition, we end up workng with our local community(I'm working in a nursing home), learning a new skill (I did Indian classical singing) and excelling in a recreational activity (I did badminton). I have already decided to pursue the Silver award, and I am definitely looking forward to enjoying the next expedition!!!

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh - My experience By Sherelle Bushay, Aged 16 he best points of Duke of Edinburgh were socialising and meeting new people at meetings, playing games at the campsite, telling ghost stories and singing songs along the way. Most of all though, when I actually finished the expedition and was on the way home, I felt really proud of myself! I would have to say that the worst problems were waking up in the tent in the morning. When you are in the tent you really value your sleep. If your tent isn’t put up on flat land, then I assure you, you will wake up at the bottom of the tent! It tends to get very cold at night- especially if it rains so make sure that your tent is secured tightly. Be prepared to walk up steep hills and walk across farms – as we later found out!

I have learnt that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Sometimes during the journey it wasn’t always easy to keep going. You feel tired, dehydrated and ill but if you try and be positive about the whole experience then you will have fun. Teamwork and communication is essential in Duke of Edinburgh. You will find out that you will need all members of your team. My team ‘The Incredibles’ got on really well. We all helped to motivate each other and kept the spirit going. Some were better at motivating people or map work and others had more skills in cooking. If you all help each other then things will go smoothly. Make sure that you pack wisely. Lots of food is essential to keep you going or else you won’t have any energy and you need to drink

lots of fluid. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed Duke of Edinburgh. Everyone is really friendly and we all made such good friendships. Duke of Edinburgh is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it is a challenge. I am now going to start working towards silver and my main goal is to reach gold. Duke of Edinburgh shows that a person is committed and determined to do well. It looks good on your CV and it’s a weekend away in the countryside!!

The Duke of Edinburgh Award starts in Oct 2005 For more info email Jamie at jamie.foster@kingston.gov.uk or call 0208 391 3432.

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YOUTH EVENTS AND STUFF gOING ON

Your local Youth Centres

KINGSNYMPTON Youth Centre Kingsnympton Park Estate Kingston Hill Surrey KT2 7RR 020 8549 5705

vice, Youth ser s Kingston en Service r d il nd Ch Learning a

BARNFIELD Youth Centre Parkfields Road Kingston Surrey KT2 5LL 020 8546 4103

Kingston town

SEARCHLIGHT Youth Centre Kingston Road Kingston Surrey KT3 3RX 020 8549 4514

maldens & coombe

DICKERAGE Adventure Playground Dickerage Lane New Malden Surrey KT3 3EQ 020 8942 1707

FOUNTAIN Youth Centre 1 Kingston Road New Malden Surrey KT3 3PE 020 8942 5251

surbiton

ALBANY PARK Canoeing and Sailing Centre Albany Mews Kingston KT2 5SL 020 8549 3066

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SCHOOL LANE Youth Centre School Lane Surbiton Surrey KT6 7QJ 020 8390 2056

The Venner Youth Centre The Manor Drive Worcester Park KT4 7LG 0208 8330 2805

HOOK Youth Centre Devon Way Chessington Surrey KT9 2RJ 020 8397 2216

south of the borough

HEAD OFFICE Guildhall One, Room 103 Guildhall Surrey KT1 1EU Email: youthservice@rbk.gov.uk

CHESSINGTON Youth Centre Church Lane Chessington Surrey KT9 2DR 020 8397 2495

ts es and even on activiti n ce io vi r at m se r For info to youth people go for young .org.uk in iv gl n at www.you

Info for Young People In and Around Kingston & Richmond SEXUAL HEALTH Magic Roundabout 23 Richmond Road, Kingston Mon 3.30-6.30pm, Sat 9.30am-12noon (Megan Dawson) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .020 8974 9252 Off the Record 2 Church Street, Twickenham Mon 3.30-5.30pm, No fri service (Deborah Kerpner) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .020 8744 1644 Wolverton Centre, Kingston Hospital, Galsworthy Road Walk-in: Tues 9-11am, Thurs 2-4pm App. only: Mon 8.30-11.30am, Weds 4.30-7.30pm, Thurs 9-11.30am, Fri 8.30-11am (Was unable to check these times) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .020 8974 9331 Roehampton Clinic, Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton Walk-in: Mon 3.30-5pm (under 18s only), Mon 9-11am, Fri 9-11.30am App. only Tues 2-6.30pm, Weds 8.30am-12.30noon, Thurs 8.30-11.45am, 2-4pm (Dorinda Philby) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .020 8355 2470/2077 West Middlesex Hospital Sexual Health Clinic, Twickenham Road, Isleworth Mon 9am-12noon, 2-6.30pm, Tues 2-4.30pm Weds 1.30-3.30pm (family planning), 4-7.30pm Thurs 9am-12noon (women only), 2-4.30pm Fri 9am-12noon Please arrive half an hour before closing time

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .020 8565 5718

Community Drug & Alcohol Team, Richmond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .020 8940 3331

Sexwise Helpline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0800 28 29 30 National AIDS Helpline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0800 567 123

Alcohol Services Kingston & Richmond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .020 8940 1160

TRAVEL

Kaleidoscope, Kingston . . . . . . . . . . . . .020 8549 2681

Train Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .08457 484950

National Drugs Helpline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0800 776600

London Transport Travel Information . . .020 7222 1234

Release – drugs & legal advice helpline .020 7729 9904

National Express Coach Enquires . . . . . . .0990 808080

EDUCATION, TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT

GENERAL WELFARE & BENEFITS ADVICE

Kingston Connexions Swan House, 51 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1LQ Walk-in: Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 9am-5pm, Weds 10.30am-5pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .020 8410 4105

Kingston Citizens Advice Bureau Neville House, 55 Eden Street, Kingston, KT1 1BW Walk-in Monday, Tuesday & Friday 11.30 - 1.30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0870 126 4019 Richmond Citizens Advice Bureau Linfield House, 26 Kew Road, Richmond TW9 2NA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .08457 0505152/020 894 2501 GENERAL HEALTH NHS Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0845 4647 DRUGS AND ALCOHOL Community Drug & Alcohol Team, Kingston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202 549 9279

CfBT Connexions 1 Ilex House, 94 Holly Road, Twickenham TW1 4HF Mon – Fri 9.30am-5.30pm . . . . . . . . . . . .020 8891 6162 INFORMATION, ADVICE, COUNSELLING & SUPPORT Off the Record 2 Church Street, Twickenham Tues, weds, thurs 4-8pm Fri, 2.30-6.30pm Sat, 10am-2pm (Deborah Kerpner) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .020 8744 1644