Exposure Magazine Issue 99

A HARINGEY YOUTH PUBLICATION

free Jun 09

£0.00

issue 99

no s i y t Safe ent d i c c a

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Terri-Ceres Mejia sPuckerin editoria l

Suraj Rattu reporter

Alex Adding illustrator/repoton rter

Amanuel Tewodros reviewer/reporter

Bijoux Mafutala agony

Llewellyn Harrigan illustrator

TonaĂŠ Reid oracle

Annabel Adabie illustrator/oracle

Rianna Hudson reporter

Perpetual Brade reporter

Victoria Opyrchal reporter

Fernanda Assis agony

Marissa Cabrera reporter

Sharaye Stanberry reporter/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

Reece Taylor illustrator

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

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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.

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Issue 99 June 2009

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.

l

Editorial by Terri-Ceres Mejias-Puck erin

Look both ways before crossing the road; stay away from dodgy-looking people; don’t talk to strangers – we’ve heard it all a thousand times over. It gets a bit boring after a while, but it doesn’t become any less important. Although most young people feel safe on the street, we still have to take care of ourselves. Just look at the number of unexpected teenage deaths on the streets over the last few years.

Just because we’re not in a gang does not mean we’re safe from danger. That’s why it’s crucial we keep ourselves safe this summer. If you are thinking about joining a gang for protection – don’t.

Being involved in gang activity is risky: you might be forced to carry a weapon or attack another person. You will end up

contributing to the postcode problems as well. Getting hurt and spending time in hospital isn’t the best way to enjoy the summer sun.

Appreciate what you have at home. Love your parents for the love they show you.

Don’t run away from them, there’s no sanctuary to be found in those that don’t care about you. Thousands of teens do it every year only to end up in gangs or on the streets because there is nowhere else to go. Life on the road often offers unhappiness, an existence of crime and injury. Do yourself a favour: stay safe!

It’s better to lose one minute in life, than to lose your life in a minute – Unknown author.

Sponsors: Hornsey Parochial Charities

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reviews

TERMINATOR SALVATION Well here we are, the fourth of the highly popular Terminator series. Some film critics have criticised Salvation, calling it ‘cumbersome’, ‘tedious’ and ‘not at the same level as the other films’. Absolute rubbish. The volume of special effects it offers is immense. The plot follows nicely from the apocalyptic ending of the third film – John Connor is still the protagonist as you would expect, but a new twist has been added to freshen the traditional robotic storyline. Add Christian Bale plus guns equals film that grips you from start to finish. Arnold Schwarzenegger also makes a surprising cameo, looking ‘ten-hour sun-bed session’ bronze. He looks weirdly young (probably using the Olay ‘seven signs of ageing’, or just some fancy computer graphics) even if his appearance only lasts a few minutes it’s exciting for fans of the franchise. Great fun to be had all round.

Amanuel Tewodros

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Amanuel

Tonaé

THE DANGEROUS BOOK OF HEROES The Dangerous Book of Heroes by Conn Iggilden, author of the Dangerous Book for Boys, and his brother David, is a fact-file packed with the world’s heroes, past and present.

The quote ‘people who lose their history, lose their soul’ emphasises what this 480pager is about. It may seem a tedious and time consuming read to start with, but once completed (if ever) this mammoth encyclopedia won’t only increase your knowledge of our world’s heroes, but give you a fresh outlook on the heroics of those gone before us. It illustrates how ‘far wild courage, single-minded obsession and self-belief can take you’ and therefore, as I would say, ‘he who dares wins, Rodders.’

Amanuel Tewodros

12 ROUNDS John Cena returns to our screens as downtown cop, Det. Danny Fisher. An FBI operation is set up to catch an untraceable, internationally known terrorist named Miles Jackson (Aidan Gillen). As Fisher holds Jackson at gunpoint, he’s fiancé is killed by a passing car while fleeing.

Jackson is sent to prison, Fisher and his partner as well as best friend Det. Hank Carter (Brian J. White) are promoted and reassigned to higher positions in the police force. At exactly one year after his fiancé’s death, Jackson escapes prison and kidnaps Fisher’s new girlfriend Molly Porter (Ashley Scott).

Jackson then plans 12 rounds of frightening tasks, which could result in Molly’s death if he doesn’t complete them in time.

Even though the plot is slightly similar to Colin Farrell’s 2002 hit, Phone Booth, this movie keeps you on the edge of your seat. It’s exiting, cool and held my attention from the start. Cena, of WWE stardom, is surprisingly good as well. This film is the perfect action movie to keep your pulse racing this summer!

Tonaé Richards

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Perpetual Brade on the good work of the Children’s Society Leila is 16; she used to live on the streets.

She ran away from home when she was 15 because her stepfather was sexually abusing her. For the first few days she was on the streets until an elderly couple offered her a place to stay.

She went home with them and was given a warm bed and regular meals. A week past before the man demanded sex as ‘payment for looking after her’. When she refused, she was beaten − she ran away again.

Back on the streets she befriended a group of drug users, and soon started taking cocaine and heroin. To pay for her habit, which quickly spiralled out of control, she became a prostitute.

Then one day she overdosed. Leila was rushed to hospital, where she was transferred into the care of the Children’s Society, a charity that helps kids who aren’t being supported. A volunteer listened to her situation and arranged for her to be housed in one of The Children

Society’s homes, while a secure place was found for her to live permanently.

Leila is now safe in a new home. She is happy, and she is completing a performing arts course at college.

The Children’s Society aims to help all children and young people in difficult or stressful situations.

Their work is partly funded by the government, but mostly through donations from the public. You can raise money for them yourself by getting people to sponsor you to take part in events like ‘Fusion’, the annual Children’s Society bridge walk.

For the last four years I have supported The Children’s Society by raising money; it has become a major part of my life. It feels great knowing you’re helping girls like Leila get the support they need.

It’s a fantastic feeling to have friends and family believe in you enough to sponsor your efforts. I have put moneyboxes in my friend’s shop, and to raise

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Perpetual

awareness I have The Children’s Society posters in my windows at home. I want to do all I can to help them continue their amazing work.

I once met a teenager who had been helped by The Children’s Society; she

money to eat; when I did my friends would encourage me to get booze’.

Before I started to support The Children’s Society I had little idea about the situations that some teenagers my own age were experiencing. I have gained

Before I started to support the Children’s Society I had little idea about the situations some teenagers of my age were experiencing had lived on the streets and become an alcoholic. It was shocking to find out what she had been through. I had misconceptions about people living rough.

She explained that before leaving home she spoke to friends who were homeless alcoholics. They said it was fun being away from home because there was no one to control what you did. When she became homeless it was nothing like her friends had made it out to be: ‘the nights were cold and lonely, I rarely had enough

so much through supporting them: I value my family, and understand how important they are to my development and happiness. I am lucky to have a stable life and a mother who wants the best for me, no matter how much she wraps me in cotton wool!

To find out how you can support the work of the Children’s Society visit www. childrenssociety.org.uk or call 0845 300 1128

For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p27

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Suraj Rattu on postcode problems In January 2007, the BBC reported how a girl was beaten and robbed in Haringey because she was walking through a postcode she didn’t live in.

She is one of many victims suffering from the seemingly never-ending ‘postcode wars’. How can a few letters

road separates Haringey and Hackney.

Most of the postcode problems are attributed to gangs, but this doesn’t mean normal young people aren’t victims. An article in The Guardian, December 2008, told the story of ‘the death of Nas, the youngest of five children, who was out shopping with two friends when he was fatally attacked because he was in a different postcode area. His ambition was to become a graphic designer working

I was two minutes away from where my dad lives across the postcode border and they took all my stuff, they mugged me, and hit me and numbers be enough for someone to suffer such violence? Why should people be terrified of being in a different area, even if it’s just five minutes from home?

Just walking on the wrong side of the street can be a mistake where I live in Manor House – where the Seven Sisters

in the computer games industry’. His family’s hopes and dreams for him were wrecked; he died because he crossed an invisible line.

We all have ambitions, which can be achieved with hard work. But how much easier would it be without the

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suraj

fear of being attacked for walking down the wrong street? Now it’s getting so bad that going through certain areas to get to school is dangerous. More young people are joining gangs because they don’t know how else to protect themselves.

As I write this I am in an area that I do not live in. I may be the next victim.

It angers me that I’m only going to feel safe once I’ve arrived back in my own postcode area.

If you find yourself walking towards a gang, keep your eyes focused on one thing in the distance and be natural. If you are listening to music, take out one earphone in case they sneak up or follow you. If you get caught, give the gang what they want, you can’t fight fairly against a group. You can always buy new things, and most items can be claimed back from home insurance, even if you are outside.

The government has invested millions of pounds in campaigns, youth centres, and activities to prevent young people

from being on the streets with nothing to do. But this isn’t enough, and it’s practical advice like looking away from the arrogant stare across the street that could be most useful in saving your life.

The postcode problems are unavoidable for many young people. We’re being prevented from living our lives in a normal fashion, and I’m worried that it’s going to escalate and become even more violent as we get older.

It’s time for young people to wise up.

Our lives shouldn’t to be dictated by the area we live in. ‘What endz are you from?’ has become a common question asked by many young people. But it’s a dangerous thing to say, and it has violent undertones.

Make sure you don’t say it, be aware of the effect your words have, and what they represent. Take care of those around you, and together, we can start to stop this nonsense.

For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p27

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By Bijoux Mafutala & Fernanda Assis Illustrations by & Annabel Adabie

I have a friend who is planning to run away from home. She says she feels uncared for at home: her mum is often out, and when she is home she’s always too tired to listen. I have tried to help her, but I’m unsure what else I can do.

The important point is that there ARE things she needs to talk about with her mum. It sounds like she’s feeling very neglected, but is running away the best answer?

Perhaps she should look at the realistic pros and cons of leaving home. Building a relationship with her mum might be the best thing, if she’s able to express her feelings. Her age is important too as it may affect the help she can get. If her mum is always tired, then perhaps your friend should help her around the house, and build a relationship that way.

It may be that they could get support from Social Services or a Family Support Worker to ease the burden. She could also talk to her GP or to one of our counsellors at Haringey Young People’s Counselling Service.

My friend has been suffering with bulimia for a while. Her family and I have tried to get her to seek help but she refuses.

Bulimia can be a difficult illness to accept. The only time you can force someone with a suspected eating disorder to seek help is if their weight is dangerously low.

Try to support her rather than force her to seek help. Look at the health risks around bulimia, there’s a lot of information on the web that encourages healthy ways to cope with problems. It depends on her age and how long she’s been bulimic and to what extent, but it’s key that she feels safe to talk about it. A good place to start would be her GP or a counselling service – if they feel she needs intensive help she can be referred to the eating disorders unit at a hospital. However, it may be that talking around the thoughts and feelings she is experiencing may be the way to tackle the behaviour.

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Bijoux

Fernanda

Annabel

Agony is brought to you in association with Haringey Young People’s Counselling Service.

You can find them at 10 Bruce Grove, Tottenham, N17 6RA or call 020 8493 1019.

The other day I found drugs in my sister’s room. I spoke to her, and she’s asked me not to tell any one. I don’t want her to get in trouble, but I want to talk to someone about it. I’m worried something will happen to her?

It’s understandable that you do not want your sister to get into trouble, however this is not something that you can b ignore.

The drugs you found don’t make your sister an addict, although she has put you in a very difficult situation.

Have you considered talking to your parents or someone you trust? You can contact us here at HYPCS on the number shown above for further advice. You could also try to encourage your sister to call Frank on 0800 77 66 00 or Involve on 020 8493 8525 for confidential advice on the risks involved with drugs.

A boy I know has been really nasty to me. He says things that really hurt. I’ve tried to tell him to stop but he won’t listen and it’s beginning to upset me deeply.

Words can be hurtful and if he is doing this on a regular basis it is a form of bullying. Try and be confident and assertive and let him know that you will not be treated in this manner. If this is within school setting, or even outside of school, it is important to let your teacher or an adult be aware of what is happening.

If you would like to know more about assertiveness skills give us a call and we can point you in the right direction.

Everyone’s got problems – see the Directory on page 27 for a list of support services.

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Marissa Cabrera’s land of coke and glory In 2008, a report by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, showed that, for the fifth year running, the UK had the highest number of recorded cocaine users in Europe. And where does most of this ‘coke’ come from? My country.

Colombia provides the world with 80% of all its cocaine, a total of 776 tons annually – if all of that were sold on the streets it would fetch £388 billion.

There is some money to be made in growing coffee beans, tobacco, and biofuel plants, but for the poorer families in Colombia, of which there are many, only the production of cocaine can provide them with an income they can survive on.

In 2008, during a BBC documentary, a Colombian villager said that, ‘If I could make enough money selling potatoes, I would sell potatoes. As I can’t, I produce

Colombia is a beautiful country with lovely beaches and a hot climate, but it’s overshadowed cocaine.” It’s important to understand by the drugs industry that these people don’t grow cocoa plants The cocaine industry is driven by crime, necessity and poverty. Colombia is a beautiful country with lovely beaches and a hot climate, but it’s overshadowed by the drugs industry. This makes drug lords, who control the market, very rich people. The typical Colombian person doesn’t benefit nearly as much.

Poverty is a major issue in Colombia.

(from which cocaine is made) because they want to supply the world with an illegal drug, but because it is necessary for their survival. They are hard working people who want a better life, but powerful countries ignore Colombia’s problems, and rebel groups marauding the country stifle the people’s voice.

Cocaine is a dangerous drug to be

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Marissa

involved with. In Colombia bad people control the industry, and cocoa farmers are victimised. It’s also incredibly difficult to export, and people, often young girls, are used to smuggle drugs into other counties. Cocaine is valuable because the risks taken to grow cocoa plants, produce the narcotic, and export it are so great. It remains illegal in Columbia, and farmers are targeted by the police and rival gangs.

However, the demand for cocaine in developed countries ensures the drug remains expensive.

If someone offers you ‘a line’ of cocaine remember: the choice you make will have a direct impact on the people in Colombia. As with all business, the cocaine industry is based on supply and demand. This means that farmers continue to live trapped in anguish, producing something that is damaging to people – The Misery, or, ‘La Miseria’ they call it.

It’s not just Colombians that suffer

from cocaine abuse. In 2003, scientists at the Michigan University, discovered that, ‘By taking it, you are harming or even killing the very brain cells that trigger the ‘high’ that cocaine users feel’.

The Colombian government is taking action by destroying farms. Figures show that areas under cultivation have halved since 2000. However this doesn’t help the farmers much as they are still pressured to produce the same huge quantities of the drug, only with fewer farms.

It’s easy to ignore the suffering of the Colombian people if taking the drug makes you feel good. But that feeling doesn’t last long, and then you’ll want to buy more. It ends up being a vicious cycle of supply and demand, similar to that of those people in Colombia, my people.

For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p27

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Alex

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

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Reece

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

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Llewellyn

Rianna

Rianna Hudson – exams aren’t easier, we’re smarter It’s that time of year: exams are over.

We’ve worked hard, and before us lie the summer weeks before the results are in.

Tense times.

Last year, A-level pass rates rose again, along with A grades awarded. The media went crazy over ‘easy exams’ once more.

But doesn’t this just mean that young people are getting smarter as time passes?

Calls for more difficult exams appear seemingly every year. As a result AS courses have become harder. In our English Literature class we write our essays and the teachers aren’t even allowed to read them; I am supposed to write about how novels create ‘shock factor’ but I could be debating whether a pig can out swim a cat for all my teachers know. It’s ridiculous. I don’t expect a page report on my work, but some sort of feedback to ensure I’m doing things correctly is acceptable, right?

A decision needs to be made on how to move forward with exam difficulty in order to maintain stability – teachers need to know what they are teaching, so we know what we should be learning.

Then criticism of exams needs to stop – these constant attacks will alter the attitudes of students, and the value they place upon their exam grades. The government is concerned about the quality of exams, but fails to recognise the effect that these concerns are having on the students themselves. The ever-changing exam boards are an inconvenience to teachers who are forced to deliver courses that they are unfamiliar with. This also means there aren’t any similar exam papers we can use for practice. Is it the government’s plan to transform exams every year until they are satisfied with the number of failures?

The tabloid media’s negative view of young people could be the reason for

These constant attacks will alter the attitudes of students, and the value they place in exams I think adults need to acknowledge that each generation brings with it new ideas and improved minds that better adapt to modern education. We work hard and cram in revision and get good grades. Then we are told that this is proof that exams are too easy. One reason could be the increasing standard of teaching and facilities. From a scientific perspective, evolution means the human race gets smarter over time – maybe students getting cleverer is just natural progression. However, multiple-choice questions in some science papers do mean that students are guaranteed to get some correct answers, even if they guess.

One of the suggested solutions for this year’s exams is to introduce the A* to A levels, which will attempt to highlight the smartest students. Universities are going to pick top grade students, and the previous value of A, B, and C grades will decrease.

this reaction towards modern education.

They think all young people drink, take drugs, and have sex, so we can’t possibly succeed in school. But, the people passing these judgements haven’t recently taken a school examination, nor can they the realistically understand the ability of young people today, not as well as we know ourselves anyway. Just because they found exams difficult when they were young, doesn’t mean we should as well!

Are exams too easy? I think not. This is my opinion. Why are the opinions of the media and government more valid?

We don’t want simple exams; we want our qualifications to mean something, and we feel they will, as long as the current educational system isn’t continually being undermined.

For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p27

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Horoscope

By Tonaé Reid & Annabel Adabie

Gemini

May. 23 - Jun. 23

\ With exams now done, love seems to be on the horizon. Be happy, the stars say you will meet someone very special.

Cancer

Jun. 24 - Jul. 23

You may be finding your parents very controlling at this time, but stick in there, your reward will be coming soon!

Leo

Jul. 24 - Aug. 23 Friends and enemies may be hard to tell apart right now, but keep your ears and eyes open for any new complications in these relationships, because some may arise very soon.

Virgo

Aug. 24 - Sep. 22

“Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong” – Gandhi. I know you may be holding a long lasting grudge but it’s time to forgive and forget.

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Tonae

Annabel

Janos

Llewellyn

Orlando

Camila

Tony

Images by Janos Papp, Llewellyn Harrigan, Orlando McKenzie, Camila Lopes and Tony Randall

Libra

Sep. 23 - Oct. 23

You are a strong-minded character, and people rely on you often. However, make sure they don’t take advantage of you.

Scorpio

Oct. 24 - Nov. 22

You love to stand out in the crowd, and you are not afraid to be different.

Never short of controversy, but are you sure this is not a desperate cry for help?

Sagittarius

Nov. 23 - Dec. 21

Stop looking over your shoulder and just relax! It’s good to be conscious, but not paranoid. Don’t worry, no one is really watching your every move. You should just try to enjoy life!

Capricorn

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

Take the offer! It won’t be there forever, and it may lead to something amazing! Look out for someone tall and mysterious, it’s a sign your reward is coming.

Aquarius

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

Patience is a virtue, and it’s finally paid off. After waiting for so long, your other half is coming along.

Pisces

Feb. 19 - Mar. 20

Manners don’t cost a penny! Stop being rude and selfish, it’s time to put others first.

Aries

Mar. 21 - Apr. 20

Life is too short so enjoy it. Make the most of what you have because what’s here today is gone tomorrow.

Taurus

Apr. 21 - May. 22

Now you have learnt what is important in life, don’t let the old be forgotten and you may be rewarded.

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RISK

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Amanuel

Amanuel Tewodros says no thrill seekers, no fire, no telly, no computers, no cars...

Human beings love adrenaline. We crave it. We push ourselves to the limit to feel it pump through our bodies. We skydive from the edge of space, we visit Spain to take part in the Pamplona bull-run, we slide down the edge of snow-coated mountains on a piece of wood an inch thick, and we know there’s a chance we could end up eating hospital food through a straw.

We were never supposed to stay home drinking herbal tea and watching Big Brother. We were made to go out and push the boundaries, to defy Mother Nature, to risk it all in search of adventure.

Professor Ashley Grossman of the St. Bartholomew Hospital, London says, ‘It’s in our genes to get excited and continue risking our lives just for the thrill’.

Perhaps this comes from our ancestral cavemen cousins who were forced to

poetry, and I don’t have a caveman brain.’

Actually you do. According to human genetics expert, Dr Dean Hamer, yours is just programmed differently: ‘Everyone responds to danger initially in the same way, by producing adrenaline. The heart starts beating faster, the skin becomes tighter, but what happens subsequently depends very much on the individual.’

I, for instance, love going on the most berserk rollercoasters, however an OAP might dread a ride on the teacups.

Some people think thrill seeking is childish and irresponsible. But without extreme risk takers we would never have left Africa, we would never have discovered the wheel, or created fire – it takes adrenaline junkies to do things no one else is prepared to. Columbus would have never set sail across the Atlantic to discover America; Sir Edmund Hillary

Rather than being juvenile, thrill-seekers are programmed by nature to arrowhead would never have scaled Everest, human progress Benjamin Franklin would never have leave the safety of the cave and confront danger to get food. To cope with this, our brain developed chemicals that made it feel invigorating to be frightened, making us more alert to ensure our body performs as well as it can. Not much has changed in us since then.

Imagine driving through a safari full of meat-eating predators; the modern day caveman experience. The thinking part of our brain knows we are safe in the car, but the central part of our brain, the ancient part, is saying, “Err Amanuel, me old mate, there is a lion about to eat you” and so it’s thrilling. We were designed to cope with hazards – this instinctual function enables us to handle danger, if it didn’t we’d have a breakdown crossing the road.

You may be thinking: ‘I hate being frightened, I read The Guardian, I like

been struck by lightning through his kite to prove lightening is energy (a bit of a berk).

Surely, rather than being juvenile, thrill-seekers are programmed by nature to arrowhead human progress – they take the risks on our behalf and drag humanity along in their wake. These people should be revered as heroes.

The modern day thrill-seeker is a reincarnation of the explorers and adventurous of the past. However we are running out of things to discover. Man has scaled mountains, voyaged space; now to get adrenaline pumping we jump off cliffs, drive fast cars or go to a theme park.

There’s nothing left for risk takers to do but enjoy themselves.

For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p27

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CLINICAL THINKING Sharaye Stanberry on why young people need C.A.S.H. in Haringey’s FE colleges I was with my boyfriend for five months before we had sex. I was 16 and he was 17.

We used a condom; I knew a bit about sexual health and I’d read about teenage pregnancy in magazines. During the weeks that followed I began feeling nauseous. My mum asked questions; I assured her I was okay; I knew I couldn’t be pregnant because we took precautions, but if I was I didn’t want to think about it, or deal with the consequences.

Skip forward eight months. I looked into

or have an STI may be in denial.

To combat these issues, Haringey Council have set up new C.A.S.H. clinics at the College of North East London (CoNEL) and the Haringey 6th Form Centre in Tottenham. These colleges are being targeted because research shows that most young people become sexually active between the ages of 16 and 19.

These young people will have easy access to essential sexual health advice, contra-

Students should take advantage of the clinics as they are conveniently placed and the family doctor doesn’t need to be notified the mirror and saw what I’d been hiding all this time: a bump poking out of my unbuttoned shirt. I was scared. I’d been living in constant stress since I first missed my period.

I felt completely alone. I didn’t want to be pregnant, but I couldn’t ignore it any longer. I told my mum the night before I gave birth.

Like the girl in this story, young people don’t always seek contraception and sexual health advice (now coined C.A.S.H. by the government) when they should; many don’t know where to get advice from anyway. Some young people feel scared or uncomfortable talking about their sex lives. Those who are pregnant

ception, take-away information, STI and pregnancy tests. The clinics are situated right where studying takes place, and the family doctor need not be notified about issues that are discussed.

A government document called Improving Access to Young People in Further Education Settings explains why these new C.A.S.H. clinics are so important: Teenage parents and their children are generally poor. Teenage mothers are most likely to bring up their child alone and in poverty.

This could be stopped if the mothers

• •

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Sharaye

seek medical advice before it gets this far or if they used contraception to begin with.

Education has the biggest impact on teenage conception rates and young people who leave school later, with qualifications, are less likely to have early intercourse. They also are more likely to use contraception, and (for women) less likely to become pregnant if they have sex.

Young people have always needed a local clinic to go to, but not so close to home where parents or family members can spot them.

It finally seems government attitudes to sex education are changing. C.A.S.H. clinics are targeting those young people who can benefit most from the service by making it easy, accessible, and confidential. Perhaps if the girl in the story at the beginning of this article had a clinic in her sixth form, she wouldn’t have had to deal with all that pain and stress alone.

•

Exposure_issue_99(newquotes).indd 23

For free, confidential advice and guidance on any issues relating to sex and relationships, sexual health, contraception and your body and clinic opening times visit www.ruthinking.co.uk or www.youthspace.haringey.gov.uk.

You can also visit your local GP who will have information and advice on hand.

You don’t have be having sex to have questions: call the 4YP Nurse at CoNEL on 07984 037 172 or the Haringey 6th Form Centre on 07943 817 289 for advice.

A list of local services dealing with sexual health can be found on page 27.

6/7/09 11:58:44

HATE CRIME Being discriminated against is a horrible thing. It can be made worse if you don’t know where to go for support. But in Haringey you don’t have to suffer in silence.

Haringey Council is attempting to put a stop to all forms of racism/prejudice with their new reporting hate campaign. They aim to abolish bullying by offering practical advice and encouraging people to report discrimination to the police.

If you feel that you need to talk to someone, or if this information concerns you, please contact Haringey’s community safety team on 0208 489 6957 or email louraine.palmer@haringey.gov.uk You can still report to the police community safety unit or victim support if you want to.

Alex Addington

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6/7/09 11:58:49

WORLD PEACE

Alex

Vicky

I set up the Nature of Peace internet forum to bring together people wanting to make a positive difference to our beautiful planet. We discuss global issues like poverty, war, and human rights.

Why don’t you stop by and help bring about peace by contributing to our forums?

We’re working on a couple of projects, but at the moment we mostly need help on a song we are producing. Come and see how we are doing.

The website is still a work-in-progress, but during the summer holidays we are developing it. Maybe you can help out.

Visit us here and say hello: http://z8.invisionfree.com/World_Peace

Vicky Opyrchal

YOUTH MARK

Have you ever felt that an organisation could benefit from your ideas? Or perhaps that an organisation you love never gets the recognition it deserves? Aiming to change that is Youth Mark, a quality award for young people’s services.

If you are aged between 16-19 years of age, live in north London, and are genuinely interested in making a positive difference to your society, Youth Mark may well be the place for you. They offer you new skills to include on your CV, as well as a chance to improve services for the younger generation.

The Youth Mark quality award itself is a means of an organisation highlighting its approval from the younger generation, an approval that can be decided or disregarded by you.

The next Youth Mark training course will take place on 20 and 21 June. If you are interested in participating you can contact either Susi Farnworth or Jenny Walton on 0208 347 2392 or email jenny.walton@y-gen.co.uk

Alex Addington

25 Exposure_issue_99(newquotes).indd 25

6/7/09 11:59:02

Search. Sharaye Stanberry Sharaye

My mind fr*ze; I was a sn wman on a winter’s day

*

My mind told me to leave, but my heart told me to stay Wanting to find the truth

I continued my search I’d been here before,

this weird old

church

I† rings a bell, not loud enough to strike my memory I must find her and ask her the truth Before it’s too late, while I’m still in

Why did she leave me?

my youth

Was she scared?

Does s

he or

has sh

e ever

cared

Oh how I longed to find where I’m from In need of an identity, I kept to my path This is crazy I thought, starting to laugh

?

Nothing and no one will get in my way Nothing and no one will get in my way I will find my mother some day

I will, wont I? 26

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

Exposure_issue_99(newquotes).indd 26

6/7/09 11:59:13

Directory YOUTH CLUBS Muswell Hill Area Youth Project Muswell Hill Centre, Muswell Hill 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 SEXUAL HEALTH 4YP Haringey Young people’s sexual health services including dedicated clinic, drop-in sessions and the 4YP bus 0800 161 3715 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 4YP Clinic, St Ann’s Hospital St Ann’s Road Tottenham N15 3TH 020 8442 6605/6536 4YP nurse mobile : 07943817289 www.4yp.co.uk 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 DISABILITIES Markfield Project Inclusive services for disabled and non-disabled young people Markfield Road, Tottenham 020 8800 4134 DRUGS & ALCOHOL 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 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Hearthstone For people experiencing domestic violence 020 888 5362 MENTAL HEALTH Antenna For black African and African-Caribbean young people 020 8365 9537 www.antennaoutreach.co.uk Haringey Young People’s Counselling Service Advice and support for young people 020 8493 1019 Host General mental health care 020 8885 8160 Revolving Doors Agency Tackling the link between mental health and crime 07779 098 269 www.revolving-doors.co.uk

Victim Support Haringey Working for victims of crime 020 8888 9878 www.vslondon.org HOUSING Shelterline Shelter’s free housing advice line 0808 800 4444 VOLUNTEERING 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 KIS Training Helping young people into employment, education & enterprise 020 8275 4230 Harington Scheme Preparing young people with learning difficulties or disabilities for work 55a Cholmeley Park, Highgate www.harington.org.uk Connexions One-stop shop for young people 020 8881 7050 Drop-in centres: Ground floor Marcus Garvey library Leisure Centre, N15 4JA 020 8489 1243 Wood Green Library, 2nd Floor High Road, London, N22 6XD 020 8489 5200 www.haringey.gov.uk/ connexions

Exposure is made possible thanks to core funding support provided by Haringey Youth Service.

Exposure is a registered trademark of Exposure Organisation Limited, registered in England no. 3455480, registered charity no. 1073922.

The views expressed by young people in Exposure do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or its funder. (c) 2009. All rights reserved. ISSN 1362-8585

If your organisation would like to be included on this page please call 020 8883 0260

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