Issuu

A HARINGEY YOUTH PUBLICATION

free

May 2010

£0.00

issue 103

WHO’S CONTROLLING YOU?

UAL HEALTHE SPECIAL SEX DED INSID U L C IN T N E M E L SUPP

Emily Claire Cann ing

reviewer

Kristina Volchkova writer

Amanuel Tewodros reviewer

Nawar Saleh writer

Duane Uba illustrator

Alec Wilson illustrator

Anila Veseli writer

Arman Khamesipour writer

Safiya Hussain writer

Amy Kabba writer

Victoria Opyrchal illustrator

Awaz Mahmoud Bayo Ad ebiyi-Tanice writer poet

Exposure The Bigger Shoe Box, Muswell Hill Centre, Hillfield Park, N10 3QJ Tel: 020 8883 0260 Fax: 020 8883 2906 Mob: 07947 884 282 Email: info@exposure.org.uk Website: www.exposure.org.uk

Printed by TIP Limited 07590 850 532 Andreas Koumi: Manager Gary Flavell: Editor Luke Pantelidou: Designer Flo Codjoe: Development officer Mirella Issaias: Junior Exposure Max Sycamore: Video Editor & IT Enrico Tessarin: Video Manager

Regrettably our office is inaccessible to wheelchair users but we will nevertheless make every effort to include your contributions

Disclaimer Exposure aims to give young people an independent voice which can contribute to the democratic process. While Exposure has done its best to check material contained within this publication, we cannot accept responsibility for inaccurate information provided by outside organisations. Organisations mentioned are not necessarily connected with nor endorsed by Exposure. Permission has been sought, wherever possible, for the use of copyright material. Where contact has not been possible we hope that, as a voluntary organisation helping to educate and inform young people, it is acceptable for Exposure to use such material for the benefit of young people.

Issue 103 May 2010

Exposure is free and open to anyone aged 13 to 19 living in or around Haringey. If you want to get into journalism, design or film-making, get involved.

Editorial by A

rchie Barbe r

l u f h Yout ing k n i h T Awards:

Remember those sweets that looked like cigarettes? They were nice weren’t they? You could buy them in sweetshops, and win them at fair grounds. It’s a bit bizarre though, associating something that can cause a slow and painful death with a sugary treat for kids. Not exactly the most sensible message to send out to the young and impressionable. Sweets aren’t the only problem. Teenage minds are susceptible to suggestion. It’s not as if we swallow everything we see or hear. We are aware of the way the media works, we’re not stupid, but there are negative actions that are made to look cool that teenagers copy: Bruce Willis smoking a cigarette; Al Pacino in Scarface, a character that young people seem to love, snorts cocaine; Sherlock Holmes puffs away on a pipe.

Using drugs or smoking is a personal choice. Fair enough. But the media industry should never perpetuate drug use as a positive lifestyle choice. The same goes with glossy magazines that promote the perfect body image that turns young people into anorexics. The media needs to be made to realise that it has an influential role in how young people treat themselves, not to mention how they are seen. Meanwhile wish Exposure a happy birthday when you get a chance, we’ve turned 14! Time to trim that bum fluff on the top lip we reckon.

Supporters: Garfield Weston Foundation

reviews

by Emily Cannings

BLIND SIDE Blind Side is about a boy (Quinton Aaron) without a family who comes from a very rough area in America. He doesn’t live at home, instead his friend’s family look after him as they allow him to sleep on their couch. His luck begins to change after his friend’s Dad takes him to a religious school to be trained as an American Football player. He is accepted by the students at the school, but he doesn’t quite fit in… that is until Mrs Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) sees his potential and offers him a place to stay. Will his friendship with the Tuohy family grow? And will he finally find a place to call home? Blind Side is a great adaptation of a true story. Both actors executed their parts so well, especially Sandra Bullock, who deserved the Oscar win as her performance was outstanding. Quinton Aaron gives a fantastic performance as the boy, even though the role was very challenging. Blind Side is one of the best films I’ve seen in a while and made me cry so much.

Emily

FREESTYLE Freestyle is all about an intelligent girl (Lucy Stanhope) who goes to a private school and is preparing to go to Oxford. That is until she sees a group of boys playing basketball. She goes and watches them play and wants to get involved. They make fun of her until a man from a freestyle ball competition comes over and asks her to join. Itâ€™s time for the girl to show everyone what she can do. Freestyle is a great film that tackles plenty of teenage issues like making the right decisions, how to follow your dreams and not let anyone stop you from reaching them. I really enjoyed it. Great music and amazing freestyle moves.

PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTENING THIEF Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman) thinks he is an ordinary boy with a disability, but what he doesnâ€™t know is that he is the demigod son of Poseidon. His ability is brought to the fore when on a school trip his maths teacher decides to turn into a monster and attack him. His best friend, who is on crutches, and another teacher, who is in a wheelchair, decide to help him by giving him a pen. Will the pen save him? Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief is a great action film for kids with a snake-like Uma Thurman and a horsy Pierce Bronson. This film could be the next Harry Potter style craze with its winning combination of fantasy come teenage love story.

VEIL BEYOND THE

Nawar Saleh – I’m just a teenage girl… who’s Muslim

Not all Muslims are the same. Not all Muslims live their lives in the same way. Every Muslim is different from the next. Not all Muslims are like the one’s you see on the news. Not all Muslims are terrorists. I wake up, brush my teeth, put on a pair of skinnies and a nice top, put on my make up, put on my head scarf, plug in my iPod, blast my music, and leave my house. That’s when it starts. I get weird looks as I walk down the street because of what people perceive a

Nawar

also fear of things that people who claim to be Muslim have done. The London bombings on 7 July 2005 changed the way the public looked at Muslims forever. It’s very sad: who knows what went through those terrorists’ minds when they blew themselves up and killed all of those people. They might claim it was their ‘duty to God’, but what kind of religion influences violent action? The Islam that I know certainly doesn’t see violence or terrorism as a good thing. I want each Muslim to be seen for who they are, for how they treat other people, and not be judged by the actions of a tiny minority. It’s like thinking that all white people are racist because a small percentage votes BNP. It’s important for everyone to learn

Just chill out. I’m not an extremist, and I’m really not going to bomb our city! young girl in a veil to be. Being Muslim is not what you see in the tabloids, where we are portrayed as either living in poverty or as part of some extremist group intent of blowing things up. I met a girl recently and we were talking about normal teenager stuff, and I mentioned the kind of music I like. She was shocked, “Oh my God, you listen to music?” and I just looked at her and laughed. You might have expected me to be offended, but I wasn’t; I just found it really funny, as if I don’t think like, or enjoy things other teenagers do. I have learnt to live with being stereotyped, but it still amazes me how ignorant some people can be. You come to expect it, as that’s the way the media have decided to present my community – it’s still painful and upsetting though. I want to set people straight and scream: “Just chill out. I’m not an extremist, and I’m really not going to bomb our city!” I can understand why these cliches about Muslims exist, and why the media report the things they do. A lot of it comes from fear of things that are different, but

how to deal with being stereotyped. I could spend most of my time at home, only ever associate with other Muslims and avoid places where I might face confrontation, but I don’t. I can’t live my life like that. I don’t want to stop doing things I enjoy, things that make me happy. Besides, not everyone is so judgmental: some of my closest friends are not Muslim. They understand that I’m no different to them even though I wear a headscarf. We do things together that most teenagers do: party, listen to music, read magazines, I have crushes on really good-looking celebrities, and socialise on facebook and msn. I’m just me. Teenage Muslim Girl! So next time you see a Muslim don’t judge them straight away. What you read in the paper and see on the news isn’t the whole truth. Each person can interpret the words of their holy book in their own way, and the vast majority of Muslims are peace-loving people.

For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p23

I am Meow Meow, but that’s not my only name: 4MMC, Meph, Plant Fertiliser, Plant Food, Charge, Bounce, Bubbles, Drone, MC, Miaow and Mcat. I am well known as Mephedrone.

relaxed. I don’t do that; I make you feel hyper, excited, and I make your heart race. I am Meow Meow. I am more powerful and more effective than almost any other street drug. Most people snort me. I am highly corrosive to your nose, I will make it bleed badly, and I will permanently damage your nasal passages and sinuses. I am Meow Meow.

You inhale me. I am extremely addictive. I come as a white powder in a capsule or a small clear bag. I am about 95% pure, which means that 5% of me is made up of something else, I don’t even know what it is, it depends on the dealer who is handling me. I am Meow Meow. Lots of people confuse me with Methadone because we have a similar sounding name. We are completely different, and we have different effects on the body. Methadone is a strong painkiller and it makes you feel

I take control of you after about ten minutes of you taking me; I make you feel how I want you to feel. Soon after taking me, you’ll want more. You won’t want to stop once you’ve started. I am cheap. Many people have become hooked on me. I make you abuse me, and abuse yourself. I am Meow Meow. I make your pupils dilate and your teeth grind, I don’t let you sleep. You will forget things you’ve done when you take me. I will make you feel dizzy, and I can also give you

New drug Mephedrone speaks to Anila Veseli

All drugs are potentially dangerous, and some, like Mephedrone, are thought to be lethal

Anila

heart palpitations. I can turn your body blue and lips purple. I can cause you to ‘zone out’ so that you don’t know where you are or what you’re doing. I can make you vomit. I am controlling and can cause my users to get hooked after just one line; I can destroy you. I am Meow Meow. I have already been banned in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Israel, and the Isle of Man, and from 16 April 2010 I am illegal in the UK. You can spend up to five years in prison just for having me on you, and up to 14 years inside if you sell me or give me to your friends. I am even more dangerous and powerful when mixed with other drugs, including alcohol. I will make you pay if you suffer from anxiety, mental illness or heart problems. I am Meow Meow. I am suspected of killing people all over the world. I am Meow Meow. And you don’t want to know me. If you want to stay safe and healthy you should stay away from drugs of any

kind (unless prescribed by your doctor). All drugs are potentially dangerous, and some, like Mephedrone, are thought to be lethal. The particular problem with Mephedrone is that the long-term dangers are unknown. By taking it you could be doing damage to your body that might not become apparent for some time. Keep safe by finding out all there is to know about Mephedrone. www. talktofrank.com will give you up-to-date unbiased information. If you know someone who is going to take the drug, try and dissuade them by using the information you have found. Also suggest that they call FRANK anytime on 0800 77 66 00 and speak to an adviser who’s professionally trained to give you straight up information about drugs.

For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p23

By Amy Kabba and Kristina Volchkova Illustrations by Duane Uba

There was a stabbing in my area recently, and I know the people responsible. I want to tell the police, but I could be putting myself at risk. What can I do to help the police and stay safe? This is a difficult dilemma, especially if you know the people well. However, this is a serious crime and withholding information is also an offence. You can call Crimestoppers to report a crime anonymously. You don’t have to give your name or your phone number, and your computer won’t be traced. Any rewards are paid out anonymously too. No one will know you have spoken to the police unless you want them to. Crimestoppers can be contacted on: 0800 555 111 I have a job interview that I obviously want to do well in, but I’m really worried that my nerves will ruin the chance for me. Interviews usually aren’t much fun, but there’s ways to prepare yourself. One is to practice answering questions with a friend or parent. You’re selling your personality, so memorise your strengths, and remember that the interviewers might be just as nervous! Read up on relaxation techniques, they really help to calm you down. Don’t drink too much coffee or tea before; the caffeine will make you more edgy. Also try to believe in yourself, being a little nervous is normal and useful!

Amy

Kristina

Duane

The Haringey Young People’s Counselling Service provides the answers to the problems featured in Agony. You can call them on 020 8493 1019 or fill out a booking form at www.youthspace.haringey.gov.uk/health

There is a girl in my class who gets bullied by older girls. I can see she is struggling to cope, but I don’t know how to help. I don’t think the teachers notice everything that goes on. Talk to her about it (if she’d like to). No one should have to put up with bullying and the school will have an anti-bullying policy. The girl will probably be pleased that someone has noticed and cares about what is happening to her. Encourage the girl to speak to a teacher (and/or parents). Offer to go along with her, as she may need the support. The bullies need to be reported, this can be done anonymously. Once the teachers are aware they can then take action. The young girl can also speak to a counsellor about this too if there is one in your school. My exams are really soon and I’m feeling a lot of pressure from teachers. How can I deal with it in a healthy way?

Go to www.bullying.co.uk for more information.

A little pressure can be helpful, but your teachers shouldn’t pressure you to the point where it becomes a negative thing. Speak to them and let them know how you feel. You can cope with stress by eating well, exercising, sleeping well and learning relaxation techniques. Plan you work ahead to take additional pressure off. Make a timetable and write down exam dates and slot in times when you will revise. It may also help if you can revise with a friend, seeing how other deal with stress can be helpful. Make sure you speak to your teachers about your situation; they are there to help.

Everyone’s got problems – see the Directory on page 23 for a list of support services.

BY AMANUEL TEWODROS Gang culture is a virus infecting the streets of London, and it contaminates all young people in some way. Haringey has more than it’s fair share of gangs and postcode problems. The CodeBreaka project was set up by Haringey Council and the Metropolitan Police to give young people a positive alternative to gang culture. A group of young people from Haringey came together to write rap lyrics, create a song, and perform in a video that tackles the problems of gangs and the issue of postcode rivalry head on. Matthew Grey, a Keyworker for The Children and Young People’s Service, said:

“We wanted to show the young people involved a different side of life, that there is an alternative, safer way of living, and that there is more to life than just staying in your area. Making a music video was an excellent way of doing that” The CodeBreaka team used the music video to express their views, as well as encourage each other to become more productive, and to become detached from their gang origins. They also wanted to inspire other young people to leave gangs and postcode hype behind. The track is an urban rap dramatisation on daily life and conflict on the streets.

“The young people worked with industry professionals. They were taught how to deliver lines and write lyrics about their lives and the difficulties found on the streets. The young people saw that their hard work resulted in something very positive.” A documentary was also produced which highlighted the development and journey of the participants from when the project began to when it ended. It was shown at the Jackson’s Lane theatre back in February, along with the music video and a live performance of the CodeBreaka song. The event was attended by hundreds of local people.

“When the young people started on the CodeBreaka project they were not that enthusiastic, and they were considered high risk of getting involved in gangs. “Now they realise the seriousness of their actions, and have mentioned how they avoid situations that might see them become re-involved with gangs and the postcode problems.”

Gallery

Alec

Keanu Reeves Photoshop illustration. â€œAnd the award for the most wooden actor goes to...â€? By Alec Wilson

Send your artwork to: Exposure, The Bigger Shoe Box, Muswell Hill Centre, Hillfield Park N10 3QJ or email: luke@exposure.org.uk.

Reach the sky at Air Cadets says Arman Khamesipour I’ve always wanted to fly, ever since I was a kid. I used to dream about flying a plane. I never thought I would be able to though, especially not by the time I was fourteen. But then I joined the Air Cadets and my dreams became a reality, actually more than a reality, I am on my way to becoming a fully-fledged pilot! The Air Training Corps is an organisation that provides youngsters between

you can communicate with each other without talking. You take part in challenges, for example, two teams of 11 people, one wounded helicopter crash victim and a big park at 10pm. The aim of the game is to get to the ‘victim’ before the other team, put him/her on a stretcher and reach the safe side of the park. Then you have to setup camp and hide the victim there for two minutes to get the victory. Air Cadets also gives you the chance to shoot real guns and gain achievements in marksmanship. They teach you how to handle the recoil of firearms (when the gun ‘kicks back’ after being fired) and

It’s hard to imagine how good it feels to have that adrenaline rushing through your body how to reload and cock the gun. Every when you fly member of the Air Cadets has the chance

the ages of 13 and 19 with the chance to become a fully qualified pilot at the age 16 and gain additional GCSEs as well. When you sign up to the Air Cadets you get thrown straight into the deep end. They teach you how to march like a qualified solider. They teach you how to handle the freezing cold and the blazing heat. They also teach you hand signals so

to be promoted, and take control of the people who are of a lower rank, just like real life army ranks. The people above your level of experience will command you to do something, and then you, if you’re promoted, will tell someone under your rank to do it. This is called the ‘chain of command’. TURN TO LEFT, LEFT TURN! This is

Victoria

Arman

illustration by Victoria Opyrchal

the most basic of marching commands; you will hear it a lot at the Air Cadets. Your squadron (the group of people you train with) will also take part in a number of outdoor activities like playing football against the other squadrons, or by completing the Duke of Edinburgh award to Gold level, which is its highest. But the best thing of all is flying planes. It’s hard to imagine how good it feels to have that adrenaline rushing through your body when you fly. It’s a bit like the goose bumps you get when you are on a rollercoaster, but you get to control where that rollercoaster goes, how fast it travels and how many loops it does. It’s like you are traveling forward through time, watching the world go past you. The barrel roll, the loop, the snap roll,

and the flick roll are some of the many aerobatic maneuvers you can execute when you’re flying the kind of planes you get to at Air Cadets. You also have a chance to join the squad band if you’re into music. The Air Cadets will provide you with an instrument of your choice and teach you how to play. The Air Cadets teach you how to be disciplined, and how to become the best you can be. And you do this while making so many friends. You also get to meet people who have been in real warzones who can explain the realities of warfare. All that for £2 a week! Visit www.raf. mod.uk/aircadets for more information and to find your local squadron.

For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p23

WHAT

Safiyah Hussain unmasks the ugly side of the media A size 0 body. Perfect skin. Expensive clothes. Partying all day, every day. In short ‘the lifestyle’ that many teenagers dream about. But why is this way of life so desirable? People’s ideal of a ‘perfect life’ differs depending on what they are exposed to and the environment they live in. In Palestine, in the Middle East, a teenager’s perfect life might be to live in a country with no conflict, and a safe life for their family. However, in places like Britain where there is luxury, hospitals, security, and welfare, fearing death isn’t typically an issue that young people have to be concerned with. Instead, lots of us assume that what we wear, and what we buy, are the most important things in life.

BEAUTY? Safiyah

Part of this lifestyle is spent watching TV, buying magazines and reading articles about celebrities who have ‘the life’. We see how they aim to present themselves: thin bodies, and seemingly unlimited wealth. The way the media represents them affects the way we think about ourselves. We want to be like that; we want to have that. When I’m bored and start reading magazines, or watching TV and see a music video, women with perfect bodies jig about on screen or pose on page, and it makes me think about the way I look.

one is considered prettier because she conforms closer to the ideal of beauty. That’s just the way our society is in the UK, and the media exploits this. The slim toned body of Angelina Jolie requires so much more work than just a diet. ‘Hot’ celebs have a team of personal trainers to help, dieticians to tell them what to eat and when, and beauticians and make-up artists that make their skin look perfect, and a graphic designer with Photoshop – essentially things that teenagers obviously don’t have. No matter how much you diet, or miles you

Women that look perfect jig about on screen or pose on page, and it makes me think about jog, or make-up you apply, you will never the way I look look like that.

I think about how much I must weigh compared to the women I’m looking at, and how they are so much prettier than me, and ultimately what I can do to change that. It’s this way of thinking that, for some young people, turns into an obsession, and then into eating disorders and other mental health problems. It’s not difficult to see that the media is exploiting young people to make money from us at a time in our lives when we are most susceptible to suggestion. “You’re not good enough; buy this; look like Beyonce; be beautiful.” Why does this method of marketing to teens work so well? Why do so many people my age aspire to look like Lauren Conrad and Taylor Swift? What is ‘beautiful’ is subject to a general stereotype: you see an overweight pretty girl and a slim pretty girl; the slimmer

But don’t feel bad or inadequate when you look at these images of beautiful women. A lot of money and expertise goes into making you feel this way so you buy into whatever product is being marketed. People go to university to learn how to make you feel inadequate and part with your money. As long as there is money to be made from exploiting teenagers then it will continue. The best way to combat this is to raise awareness and understanding of what the media is doing and why. It’s almost impossible not to be influenced by the media, even in just a small way, especially in a society where what you look like has become so important. But realise that the image of Beyonce isn’t real, it’s not attainable, and that feeling secure in your own body is the path to happiness.

For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p23

Awaz Mahmoud – know who your friends are On 25th October 2009, 17-year-old Ashleigh Hall was kidnapped, raped, and then suffocated to death by 33-yearold Peter Chapman. Chapman posed on Facebook as ‘Peter Cartwright’, and he used a profile picture of a hot young teenage boy that any young girl would fall for. He targeted Ashleigh through the social networking site, and four days after adding her as a friend they met up. In order not to scare Ashleigh away,

It’s clear from the tragic case of Ashleigh Hall that young people are still trusting characters that they meet on the internet. Many young people don’t realise the danger they are putting themselves in by adding people they don’t know on Facebook. There seems to exist a thought pattern of ‘it will never happen to me.’ It’s about time we became more conscious of what we’re doing when we use social networking sites. Everyone is potentially at risk of being approached by a person with intention to do harm. Don’t start panicking, the actual chances of you coming into

Google ‘Facebook’ and ‘murder’ and it’s obvious that the website has become a potentially dangerous pastime contact with such a person is small, but Chapman pretended to be ‘Peter Cartwright’s’ father. That same day Ashleigh Hall violently lost her life. Her body was found dumped in a ditch, her arms, legs and face bound in duct tape. Google seerch ‘Facebook murder’ and it’s apparent that using the website can be a potentially dangerous pastime. It has become too easy for predators to pretend to be someone else to gain the trust of vulnerable young people.

if you leave information open for all to read then you’re increasing your risk. Keeping yourself safe while using Facebook is actually quite simple. Start by keeping your profile set to ‘private’. If someone wants access to your information then they should at least be added as a friend, then it’s your choice who knows what about you. You don’t want a stranger looking through your pictures and comments as they can use

Awaz

the information and pretend to know you or your friends. Fundamentally you shouldn’t add people you don’t know, you shouldn’t see Facebook, as a popularity contest; having a thousand friends is not worth putting yourself in danger for. People tend to add each other even if they only vaguely know one another. If someone tries to add you, do some research and find out who they really are before just accepting a friend request. Go on their account and see which of your real friends currently has this person added. If no one you know knows this person, it might be worth rejecting their friend request. Finally if you come across anyone you find acting suspicious on Facebook don’t just ignore it, report it. You may be saving

yourself or someone else from being a victim. Reporting someone is simple, easy and 100% confidential. All you have to do is go on their account and press the ‘report this person’ button. Facebook then have to act upon the report. If the accusation is real and genuine then it will become a police matter. Reporting someone with suspicious behavior may save a life. Don’t put it off. Ashleigh’s death should be a message to all young people to pay attention when using Facebook. Don’t let her be just another tragic murder story, let her death make an impact, let her be the last young person to be lured to such a grisly end through social networking sites. Vivist www.kidsmart.org.uk for advice on staying safe while online.

For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p23

FAST FORWARD On 27 March 2010 Fast Forward presented the 4th Youth Film Day in the delux cinema at the Cineworld Green Saturday, which was a part of the 8th International Short Film Festival. Young people and youth organisations from all over the globe submitted their films in hope of being awarded Best Film at this prestigious picture festival, and all the films were made by under 21s! It was a creative and inspiring day, and we got to mingle with people like Mo Ali, the director of â€˜Shankâ€™ urban gang fest, and other celebrities. There were also guest speakers giving advice about film and answering questions throughout the day. It was another triumphant Fast Forwards film day that once again showed magnificent support to young filmmakers.

By Brian Kabuika

SPEAK EASY Haringey needs you! The Speakeasy event, which is supported by Haringey Council, is taking place On the 28 May 2010 at the West Green Learning Centre from 12:00 to 18:00. They aim to get 15-year-olds together from around the borough to talk about drugs and alcohol and how to deal with them. They will use your input to shape how they work with young people’s substance misuse in Haringey. There will be youth speakers, a juice bar, live performances, workshops, a competition, a VIP room, Stalls, short films, free stuff, and an interactive game for you to take part in. If you are a 15-year-old living in Haringey and are interested in attending, please ask your PSHE Coordinator, Keyworker or Welfare Officer to contact Laura Pechey by email speakeasy@haga.co.uk. For more information, visit www.haga.co.uk/ Speakeasy.htm

HARINGEY’S GOT TALENT Haringey’s Youth Response Team presents TALENTED! If you’re interested in witnessing performances from some of the finest talent in Haringey then go down to the Haringey Sixth Form, White Hart Lane, N17 on 15 May 2010. Doors open at 7pm.

Trying to find peace. Bayo Adebiyi-Tanice Bayo

I search the realms of my mind With the unchanged aim to find

Peace

People say its like ‘trying to find a needle in a haystack’ To me it’s like trying to find a piece of hay in a stack of needles. All I find is pain

The hurt eternally stains

My soul

But Persil wont clean it.

Peace It becomes a myth Lost in the memories of history

Carried in scriptures, hidden in time I exhaust my spirit searching

Urging to claim peace as mine

Ours.

But it seems fate won’t allow it to fall into our hands. 22

If you would like to see your poem published, please send it to editor@exposure.org.uk or post it to the address on page 2

For lesbian bisexual and questioning women aged 25 & under. www.girldiva.org.uk

Markfield Project Inclusive services for disabled and non-disabled young people Markfield Road, Tottenham 020 8800 4134

Hearthstone For people experiencing domestic violence 020 8888 5362

In-Volve For young people with drug or alcohol issues 020 8493 8525 Cosmic For the families of people with drug or alcohol issues 0800 38905257 www.in-volve.org.uk

VOLUNTEERING

www.shharingey.gov.uk Tel: 020 8442 6536 4YP Plus Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic Women Only Clinic – for under 20s A confidential walk in service Thursdays 3:30pm-6:30pm Lordship Lane Primary Care Health Centre, 239 Lordship Lane, London N17 6AA 020 8365 5910 4YP Clinic, St Ann’s Hospital St Ann’s Road, Tottenham N15 3TH 020 8442 6810 4YP nurse mobile : 07943817289 or 07984037172 Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood Team Jan: 07817 164 4733 Margaret: 07971 309 513 Teenage Fathers Worker Terry: 07980 316 761 Young Mums To Be Course in Tottenham for teenage mums and dads 1 Ashley Road, Tottenham Hale 020 8275 4230 Outzone Confidential information and support for lesbian, gay and bisexual young people www.outzone.org First Move For people lesbian, gay, bixual,

Girl Diva

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme of personal development 020 8826 9393 BTCV V involved Team National volunteering programme www.btcv.org.uk

EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING

Young people’s sexual health services including dedicated clinic, drop-in sessions and the 4YP bus

020 7700 1323 www.facebook.com/firstmove

DRUGS & ALCOHOL DISABILITIES

4YP Haringey

trans or think they might be.

MENTAL HEALTH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Muswell Hill Area Youth Project Muswell Hill Centre, Muswell Hill, N10 3QJ 020 8883 5855 Bruce Grove Area Youth Project 10 Bruce Grove, Tottenham 020 3224 1089 Wood Green Area Youth Project White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre 020 8489 8942 Broadwater Youth Club Structured sport-based programme Broadwater Community Centre, Tottenham 07870 15 7612

HOUSING

SEXUAL HEALTH &RELATIONSHIPS

YOUTH CLUBS