Edit - February 2016

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This is my last column as Youth MP and I’ve been thinking a lot about the difference I’ve made for the young people that live and study in Westminster.

When I decided to run in the 2015 Youth Elections I said I wasn’t here to revolutionise Westminster, but to campaign on the issues that matter to you. Safety has been a top issue and I’ve sat on the Westminster Safer Neighbourhood Board so the police know what matters to us. Getting into work has also been a priority and this year we launched Westminster Enterprise Week which saw nearly 1,000 students getting a taste of what it takes to start a business by visiting businesses including Oscar-winning special effects studios.

4 A MBIT IOUS inster’s meet Westm young entrepreneurs

6 W IN tickets to see Mumford & Sons

6 EN TER TA INED find activities near you

What’s struck me most as Youth MP, are the inspiring young people I’ve met, some of whom you’ll read about in this edition of Edit. Whether they’re pitching for investment in their exciting new business, or building their life from scratch, they are truly inspirational.

Let’s keep making our voices heard and showing what we can do. Make sure you cast your vote for your next Youth MP and Deputy Youth MP before voting closes on Thursday 17th March. You can vote online at westminster.gov.uk/ youthelections or at ballot boxes in your school.

brightest

7 GE T HE A RD vote in the 2016 Youth Elections

8 INSPIRED meet inspiring young people

from your city

Youth MP, Westminster westminsteryouthmp @ westminster.gov.uk

Monique Guamos, Cover photo: Angelica y. dem 17, Westminster Aca

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AMBI TIOUS

Abdulaziz an

Over two months in 2015, students from Westminster Academy came up with exciting new business ideas then pitched their products to a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style panel. Edit met with some of the winning entrepreneurs who now have a £1,000 investment to launch their businesses.

Abdulaziz Ibrahim and Parsa Madadkhah, both 17 P: “We always knew we wanted to start a business that would give something back. We did some research and the migrant crisis really stood out as something we wanted to help with.”

A: “Our company Life Saver provides packs for migrants coming into Europe.

Originally we were just going to include food, water and medicine, but we did some research and realised there is so much more that migrants need, like blankets, English dictionaries and toys.”

P: “We met with charities like the Red Cross to talk about our idea and they were really enthusiastic. The idea now is to use our £1,000 investment to run some trials to see if the packs fit the needs of migrants and whether we need to make any changes. We’re also getting a mentor to help us.”

A: ”If you’re thinking about starting a business don’t think of it as your only business. Try it. If it doesn’t work you’ll have learnt so much and you’ll be ready for next time.”

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Angelica

Angelica Monique Guamos, 17 “I came up with my business, Thinking Out Loud, when a friend and I wanted to have a party on the same day. We both wanted to play the same music and I came up with the idea of an app that connects multiple phones playing the same playlist.

“I was so nervous when it came to pitching to the ‘Dragon’s Den’ panel, but at the last minute I decided to throw away my notes and just go for it. They loved my idea and decided to invest on the spot.

“If you want to run a business you have to be committed and keep yourself motivated.

Try to remember that everyone around you wants you to succeed.”

The business programme Abdulaziz, Parsa and Angelica took part in was run by the charity Vital Regeneration. The ‘Dragon’s Den Panel’ took place during Westminster Enterprise Week and you can find more information at westminster.gov. uk/enterprise-week

AMBI TIOUS

Article by Asma Ibrahim, 15, The Grey Coat Hospital School.

An apprenticeship can be a great way to get paid work experience and a nationally recognised qualification. I met Elizabeth Reid from Pimlico who - thanks to an apprenticeship - is now the Manager of LEYF Queen’s Park Community Nursery, at just 27-years-old.

Elizabeth was one of the lucky students who knew what her passion was from a young age: looking after children.

She seized the opportunity to do an apprenticeship at a nursery and absolutely loved it. Not only was she was spending lots of time with children, and therefore gaining experience as well as skills, she also got to see everything she learned in theory put into practice straight away.

Elizabeth strongly recommends an apprenticeship if you are someone who is motivated, passionate and are ready to take the first step towards your future career.

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Think an apprenticeship could be for you?

Find vacancies and apply online at westminster.gov.uk/apprenticeships

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EN TERTAINED SE DANCE CLAS

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Try out cheerleading and street dance classes with qualified dance teachers.

When: Fridays, 6-7.30pm Where: Academy Sport, The Naim Dangoor Centre, 255 Harrow Road, W2 5EZ Ages: 13-19 Cost: Free.

More: westminster.gov.uk/sportsand-activities-young-people

PARKOUR CL

ASSES

Run, jump, climb and learn the fundamentals of Parkour with qualified trainers.

When: Thursdays,5-6.15pm Where: Queen Mother Sports Centre, 223 Vauxhall Bridge Road, SW1V 1EL Ages: 7-19 Cost: Free.

More: parkourgenerations.com

TE FILM AND

COURSE LEVISION Learn about the film and TV industry, production screenwriting, editing and much more, with the Screen Community.

When: Course starts Saturday 6th February Where: Paddington Arts, 32 Woodfield Road, W9 2BE Ages: 14+ Cost: Free. To book email kate. herron@thescreencommunity.com or telephone 07703 312296 More: paddingtonarts.co.uk

LASSES EELPAN C EBONY ST Have a go at steelpan with one of Europe’s leading bands.

When: Fridays, 8.30-10.30pm, Saturdays 11am-2pm Where: The Yaa Centre, 1 Chippenham Mews, W9 2AN Ages: All ages Cost: Friday sessions are free, Saturday sessions £3 More: ebony-steelband-trust.co.uk

W IN

Following tours to South America and South Africa, and headlining Reading and Leeds festivals, Mumford and Sons will return to the heart of London at Hyde Park.

Email edit@westminster.gov.uk by 29 th February 2016. You must be under 19 to take part.

Special guests will include Wolf Alice and hit band of 2015, Alabama Shakes.

Find out what else is on at Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park at bst-hydepark.com

To win two tickets to see Mumford and Sons, Alabama Shakes, Wolf Alice and many more, tell us one thing you’d like to see in the next edition of Edit.

Terms and conditions apply. Prize is as stated and cannot be transferred or exchanged. No cash alternative will be offered.

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GE T HE ARD

Written by Hamza Taouzzale, 16, King Solomon Academy.

Hi! My name is Hamza Taouzzale (it’s a bit hard to pronounce, trust me, I know). I live in the Church Street Ward in Westminster and I’m a member of the Westminster Youth Council.

The Westminster Youth Council represents the young people of Westminster and is a great place to have your say and make the city a better place for people your age.

We talk to councillors and MPs, organise events and run campaigns to make sure young people get their voices heard.

This year I’ve decided to run as a candidate in the 2016 Westminster Youth Elections.

As Youth MP it would be my job to make sure everyone’s views are taken into account and that any changes we want get made.

Hamza

So now you know how everything works, get moving and make a change!

Read the manifestos and vote online from Monday 15th February at westminster. gov.uk/youthelections If you want to join the Youth Council, or just find out more, email Simon Earnshaw searnshaw@westminster.gov.uk

There are lots of young people standing in the 2016 Youth Elections and you can find their manifestos – which list their promises – online. All young people in Westminster aged 11 to 18 should vote and be part of the change.

Now you’re probably thinking, “How can I vote?” Well I’m glad you’ve asked.

Voting opens on Monday 15th February and closes Thursday 17th March, and is either done online or through paper ballots at your school. I’ll most likely be popping by your school in the next few weeks, so if you see me say hi!

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INSPIRED

Aged just 17, Hossein arrived alone in the UK from Iran, “with no friends, no family, and no job”. As he was under the age of 18, Westminster City Council was responsible for Hossein’s welfare and helped him to find accommodation, enrol at a local college and achieve his dreams.

“When I arrived I couldn’t speak English and I really felt like I was starting from zero.

The council’s Leaving Care Team organised for me to go to college to get me started.

Later on I was assigned two workers, Peter and Mandy, from the Education, Training, Employment and Participation Team, who helped me through college to learn English, and made sure I avoided falling into a bad crowd, or got into trouble.

“Peter, Mandy and their colleagues were like parents to me. In fact they would often go above and beyond what a parent would do. Once I’d learnt English and felt more settled they helped me to follow my passion for electrical engineering. I qualified with a Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation in 2013 and have been working as an apprentice ever since. This year, I was awarded a certificate for my hard work at Westminster’s Looked After Children Education Awards Ceremony.

“If the Westminster team hadn’t been there for me I don’t know where I would have ended up. It’s so hard being the ‘new person’ but there is support out there. If you’re a young person facing similar issues I’d say don’t let adversity or obstacles stop you from achieving your dreams.”

If you or someone you know is under the care of Westminster and wants to find more information or support contact 020 7641 5338.

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