Xplode Magazine | Issue 15 | Winter 2017/18

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Credits Team

Saeed Atcha Chloe Bennett Ed Jankowski Saimah Malji Khalil Malji Aliyah Khan Ambreen Memon Kasey Smith Lydia German Mo Jiva Adam Toorawa Grace Neilson Lydia Edwards Zahra Khan Aliaa Toorawa Chloe Wilson Emma Baker Nathan Byrne Shabih Syed Alisha Zahid Amaan Memon Kajol Patel Katie Hinkinson Sabrina Burton Taibah Hussain Zamaan Al-Islam

With special thanks to

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Mr. Warren Smith

Contact Xplode Magazine Xplode Magazine The Bolton Hub, Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

E: info@xplodemag.co.uk T: 01204 546 081

Search ‘Xplode Mag’ on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Disclaimer: Xplode Magazine Bolton, Registered Charity 1155789 strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information. If you have seen any mistakes or anything you are not happy with then please e-mail us: info@xplodemag.co.uk

Welcome to Xplode Magazine WE give you the opportunities, information and guidance to better your chances in life.

We have trained young people in media and business skills and have given them the opportunity to showcase their writing, photography and management skills in this magazine.

We’re not just a magazine though - we train young people across the UK in how to get jobs.

From searching for a job to smashing the interview, we’re there every step of the way.

Because of this, we’re a registered charity helping thousands of young people aged 12-22 across the UK. All our volunteers take pride in what they do and we are so proud to have been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen who gave us an award for what we do!

To learn more, go to xplode.co.uk Enjoy the magazine!

All information is correct at the time of print and any unauthorised copying or reproducing of Xplode Magazine’s content will constitute an infringement of copyright.

Xplode Magazine 2017. All Rights Reserved.

Saeed Atcha Chief Executive

SINCE ISSUE 14...

AWARD WIN: Xplode’s CEO Crowned ‘Young Person of the Year’ in Bolton & Bury!

VISIT: The Xplode Team on an Xchange Trip in London!

MAYOR ANDY: Visited Xplode HQ and said “Xplode is Brilliant in terms of the opportunities it gives to young people.”

Contents

26 INTERVIEW: The Apprentice Winner - Alana Spencer

24

SPORT: 5 Ways Wanderers Can Avoid Relegation

12

LIFE: 10 Things I Wish I Knew About College Beforehand 3

MUSIC

Jorja Smith

MEET the super talented 20year- old Jorja Smith who went from making frappuccinos at Starbucks to being rumoured to be dating Drake! The ‘Blue Lights’ singer racked up 100,000 plays in a week after releasing the song onto SoundCloud last year and is about police injustice and her experiences whilst growing up in Walsall.

Her music has a bluesy, Amy Winehouse-esque feeling to it and her voice is absolutely captivating, which rightfully caught the attention of Stormzy,

Drake (of course) and Skrillex.

It’s safe to say that after thismoment Jorja didn’t need to be making flat whites anymore!

Throughout her childhood, Jorja has been surrounded and influenced by her band member father and the reggae music that always seemed to be played whilst her mum was cooking.

Her music has been greatly recognised, notably by being shortlisted on the BBC Music Sound of 2017 ‘ones to watch’ list, following in the footsteps of Years & Years, Sam Smith and Ellie Goulding.

We’re yet to see Jorja’s debut album, so hopefully it will be released later this year with many eagerly anticipating its arrival!

Calvin is back GONE are the days where it was ‘acceptable in the 80s’ as Calvin’s new album is worlds apart featuring collabs with Nicki Minaj, Frank Ocean, Migos, Future and many more!

His recently released album, ‘Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1,’ has a 4

fitting title, expect to turn up the feel good and funky beats.

It features ‘Slide’, a strong contender for 2017’s song of the summer, and ‘Heatstroke’ featuring Pharrell Williams. Its release has been perfectly timed to be our ‘go to’ summer album- go check it out!

Article by Chloe Bennett

TOP

5

BOOKNSG FOR LO

JOURNE

YS

Long journeys can be boring; car, train, plane, the bus- they are all a pain. So here are 5 books to keep you busy on your travels.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (850 pages) – The first in the Outlander series (and season 1 of the Starz tv show by the same name). Taken from 1946 on her second honeymoon, Claire Randall is thrown into the 1700s and rescued by highlanders all heading for the tragedy awaiting them at Culloden.

While attempting to escape, she finds someone who will tempt her away from the comforts of her own time and into the dangers of his.

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (430 pages) – A brilliantly funny book that takes a new look at the apocalypse.

The apocalypse is nigh. Everything seems to be going according to the divine plan, except as the end draws near, an angel and a demon are not looking forward to the rapture, and someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman (635 pages) – (TV show of the same name by Starz). Shadow Moon is released early from prison only to find it’s to attend a funeral, his wife’s funeral. On his way home, he meets Mr Wednesday who

claims to be a God and King of America.

Shadow is employed by Mr Wednesday as a driver, and they embark on a journey meeting all kinds of people as a preternatural storm is just about to break.

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman (479 pages). The first book in the Noughts and Crosses series looks at racism and prejudice in an alternate society. Crosses are dark-skinned and the ruling class (Sephy is a Cross), the Noughts are pale and were slaves to the Crosses (Callum is a Nought). Sephy and Callum have been friends since childhood, but they can never be more.

In a world where the Noughts are tired and have started to fight back, can they be together?

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (441 pages) – The heroine of Rebecca is a lady’s maid for an older woman on vacation to Monte Carlo where she meets handsome widower, Max de Winter.

His sudden proposal of marriage takes her out of her dull life and throws her into the intricate running of the manor house, Manderley. The heroine can’t imagine herself running the house, or being loved by Max or in any way meeting the standards set by his first wife, the hauntingly beautiful Rebecca.

All of these books are over 400 pages and will definitely take up a few hours of that long journey. Enjoy!

Article By Sabrina Burton

5

A suitcase for every time you’re AWAY! Finished school, college or uni?! It’s time to treat yourself to a holiday!

Taking on board Xplode’s essential travel hacks on pages 11 & 12, we definitely recommend an ‘Away’ suitcase!

They look sleek, playful, and strong (and that’s not their Tinder bio ;) )

The best thing about these suitcases is that they come with a USB charger so you never have to run out of juice, ever again!

With a hidden laundry bag, ways to make more space, a built-in lock and spinner wheels, this suitcase is bound to be your favourite travel companion.

And what better companions than the Minions?! If you want to take over the world, you’ll need help! Enter the minions!

This limited edition collab features classic ‘Away luggage’ with a bright yellow shell and ID tag shaped like the Minions’ signature eye goggles.

You can find all the goss at awaytravel.com

Article by Saeed Atcha

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SH I I W I S THING RE O F E B D L ORM F WAS TO H T X I NG S I T R A T S

College is definitely different to how I expected it to be – don’t get me wrong it isn’t that bad, but it’s certainly been challenging. I’m a student who is about to go into my second year, and these are a few things I wish I were told before joining last September.

When they say it’s fun – that’s true and false. Yes, you make friends and go out and socialise more. But there is also so much work you actually have to put in. I recommend starting your revision from September as I did. Don’t leave it to the last minute.

Don’t skip class and stay in bed – 8/10 tutors don’t go over things twice until the end of the year, and that’s no use. For example, in sociology, we go through booklets and don’t go over that section again unless it’s revision.

It is completely fine to not know what chosen career you want to pursue and its okay if you don’t know what course you want to do. So many people are there to help you if you need it.

Free periods at college aren’t for messing around and being sociable.

Use them wisely – I tend to go to the library and study for the full hour or more to catch up on work. Sometimes I like to revise or do homework set on a Friday for that weekend so I don’t have lots to do at home and I have more spare time during the weekend.

At the start of the college year, I was so worried to call my tutors by their first name. I would say miss or sir and then apologise for saying it. But don’t panic, they’re not evil – in fact, they are so lovely. They care about you and genuinely want to help you. So, don’t panic, just make sure you open up to them – they are not there to upset you or catch you out.

A-levels are a massive jump from GCSEs. I know teachers at high school always say that college is better than school and that you’ll have an amazing time, but they are just buttering it upit’s difficult. A-levels are one of the hardest parts of the UK education.

Give yourself time – create yourself a timetable and give yourself time to get to college. Also, if you have a long way to walk to different buildings, set off early. At Bury college, they have hard starts and easy endings to classes, so you start on time but leave the lesson ten minutes early to get to other buildings.

Try to make an effort and meet new people. Not everyone at college is nice I’ll be honest but the odd few are, and some are so lovely. On the other hand, don’t forget about the people at high school – even though they do say they will keep in touch, I honestly doubt it.

Assignment deadlines are so important – don’t miss one. College isn’t like high school where you miss handing in a piece of work and then get a detention. It’s your problem and you’ll most likely be put on a warning.

You might even have to speak to the head of A-levels. Getting work done is down to your self-effort Get involved with as much as you can.

I mean things like extra-curricular activities that can be added to your CV and personal statement. Also, try to attend revision classes, they are so helpful if you don’t understand certain topics.

you are not any things that There are so m make you es do it d an ge told about colle g as you lon as r, ed. Howeve feel so unprepar hi ld gh and faced, head he turn up bright you will be se ur your co ready to take on more than fine.

Article By Chloe Wilson

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a d e e N u o Y 5 Reasons

! t h g i L e h T t Night a

tral w n ’s o n ly c e n o t e h t is n o hem, B o lt T h e n e w L ig h t n e r s h ip w it h t t r a p r u o e t a celebr it T h e L ig h t ! is v o t d e c in e m a a n d t o e n u o up 5 reasons y w e ’v e r o u n d e d

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LOCATION! You couldn’t ask for a better location than the Market Place Shopping Centre! Right in the heart of Bolton, you’re only a short walk from the bus or train station.

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THE CHEAPEST IN BOLTON - £££!

The Light Cinema is officially the cheapest in Bolton with no extra online booking fees, or hidden charges for things like 3D films or the Theatre performances!

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02

THE WORLD’S COMFIEST SEATS EVER! I’ve never sat on a cinema seat as comfy as the ones at The Light!

Each screen has its own unique style of seating with LOADSA leg room!

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THE ‘GREEN ROOM’!

Who ever thought that you could go to the cinema and have a coffee before the film?! With plenty of just-ascomfy seats outside the screens, the Green Room is where you can relax whilst waiting for your mates, or simply chilling out before the film!

EVENTS! We’ve always said that Bolton is missing a beach!

There’s always something going on at The Light, from transforming the ‘Green Room’ into a Beach for Baywatch, or the special ‘Light Arts’ programme showcasing live theatre!

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With films from as low as £5, you’re sure to enjoy your visit to The Light Cinema!

Get Xplode magazine timeline for special offers, film reviews and competitions!

Effortless Go-To Outfit.

Jeans, New Look, £24.99, Bag, New Look, £12.99, Shoes, New Look, £25.99, Bracelet, River Island, £8.00, Top, H&M £17.99 Sunglasses, H&M, £5.99

Get these jeans on whilst it’s cool! Pair with the white frill top and bold accessories to keep the summer alive!

SUM

MER

Stand Out… ... with this bold fuchsia off-the-shoulder dress. Stand Loud and Proud with these pom-pom shoes!

Trainers, Topshop, £28.00, Dress, New Look, £17.99

Throwback to summer... with this go-to white dress. Stand tall with colourful block heels.

And warm up with a cute cardi Dress, ASOS, £32.00 Bracelets, New Look, £5.99 Bag, New Look, £12.99 Shoes, New Look, £25.99

Jump for Joy... ...now you’ve smashed your Xmas shopping! Pair this floral jumpsuit with sunglasses during those winter rays Jumpsuit, New Look, £34.99 Sunglasses, H&M, £6.99 Shoes, New Look, £25.99 Bracelet, River Island, £8.00

Going on holiday?

Perfect your evening look with these culottes! Dress up with accessories or dress down with a pair of converse!

Culottes, New Look, £24.99 Shoes, New Look, £25.99, Bag, Zara, £29.99, Bracelet, River Island, £8.00

Add a splash of fun... to your holiday wardrobe with these cute pom-pom shoes matched with a colourful skirt, you're bound to pull off the perf summer look, no matter what the weather!

Trainers, Topshop, £28.00, Necklace, Missguided, £6.00 Top, New Look, £6.99, Skirt, New Look, £19.99 Bag, Zara, £19.99

DRUGSTORE MAKEUP MUST-HAVES

Credit: MakeupAlley

£9.99 Another recommended foundation is the L’Oréal Paris True Match Foundation, it’s medium to full coverage and fulfils its purpose. It’s super blend-able, hydrates the skin, has an SPF of 17 and is available in 23 amazing shades!

CONCEALER

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Article by Ambreen Memon

Everyone’s favourite part, right? I mean who doesn’t love to glow! Highlighters are different for everyone; it depends on the colour of their skin and what colour highlight they would like.

£7.99 Also, the Goddess of Faith Triple Baked Highlighter comes in a few different shades with enough product to last you a lifetime!

I mean it, this thing never runs out and it lasts you all day and I mean ALL day without budging, it’s currently a go to of mine.

Credit: Feelunique

£8.99

HIGHLIGHTERS

The highlight part of the Revolution Ultra Contour Palette is a silver shimmery highlight where a little goes a long way! This amazing highlight suits all skin tones and is sure to give you all the glow you desire.

£9.99

My favourite drugstore concealer is the Maybelline Age Rewind Eye Concealer, long name right? But I’ll tell you one thing, it’s better than a lot of the high-end concealers I have tried. Its perfect not only under the eye but also as an eye primer set with a bit of powder and to cover pigmentation and acne scarring. Its sponge applicator makes it easy to apply and it gives a natural finish.

£7.99

£4.99

Credit: Lovesandloathesuk.com

To start with, one of the best foundations I have recently tried is the Bourjois Paris Healthy Mix Foundation, it does exactly what it says on the bottle. It hydrates, lasts and blends easily. Not only this, but its demagogically tested and has 8 shades which fit most skin tones.

Right, the best drugstore bronzer would be the Revolution Ultra Contour Palette, this contains 8 compacts; 3 bronzer shades, 3 highlights and 2 normal. Each bronzer is a different shade with a different tone.

Credit: Hunt or Dye

FOUNDATION

BRONZER/CONTOUR POWDER

Credit: Miss Sunshine and Sparkle

As all of us makeup lovers know that make up isn’t the cheapest thing out there but it certainly doesn’t stop us buying it, right? If anything, it makes us want things even more! For me, it motivates me to find good buys that are cheap but just as good, if not even better than high end items. Therefore, I have a few recommendations that are cheap but do the job just as well!

r e t h g i l h g i H n i a g r a B dia German Article by Ly

Who DOESN’T love an amazing highlighter?

With so many high-end products to choose from these days, you’ll invest in a product and the next thing you know, there’s a brand new palette out.

But, what if I told you that there’s an amazing highlighter out there for a bank-breaking

99p? Seems too good to be true? Well, it’s not – welcome to High lights by Technic!

It looks like a nail varnish but has the texture of a very thin cream, which you can easily spread over your key highlighting points: the area above your cheek bones, the tip of your nose, cupid’s bow, inner corner of your eyes and your brow bone. Shine away ladies!

Credit: Manicurez.org

MARK THE SPOT

DOESN’T

Bite Size Lessons In Young Leadership

19

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HOW BOLTON WANDERERS ACHIEVED PROMOTION

In August, I and many others had expressed doubts about how Bolton would fare in League One. They had kept the same core of players who had failed in the past, off-the-field disputes were never-ending and Bolton had no real goal threat. But remarkably, Phil Parkinson turned the team (with additions) into one of the best goal scoring sides, and one that keeps clean sheets.

Here is how Bolton achieved promotion.

Article by Kasey Smith

KEY SIGNINGS

The signing of the season has been Mark Beevers. He never makes a mistake, he is a solid defender and has scored a few goals too! Filipe Morais is another magnificent signing. After losing Ameobi and Clough, some wondered where the goals would come from but since joining in February, he has provided twelve assists with fans nicknaming him ‘The Postman’. Bringing back Le Fondre, a fans favourite, was also a big step towards promotion.

MAKING THE MOST OUT OF SET-PIECES

Parkinson has made Bolton a well-drilled side and at every free-kick or corner, they look dangerous. As a result, David Wheater and Mark Beevers have scored fourteen goals between them. As Bolton do not have a striker who will score 20+ goals, this has been a brilliant way of getting the best out of the squad.

Credit: Lion of Vienna Suite

CONSISTENCY

Parkinson has tried to keep the same team all season and has rarely tampered with the squad and only made changes when forced to, through injury. This has instilled confidence in the players as Parkinson believes in them and it has also encouraged the players who are not in the first eleven to work their hardest to break into the team and to prove their mettle.

BOARD COMMUNICATION

The last regime was criticised because fans were often left in the lurch about what was happening with the club. But since Ken Anderson has took over, he has had regular communication with fans through Q&A’s and weekly columns, which has provided muchneeded clarity about the clubs’ finances etc.

The board and fans are now back on side and the club has a community feel to it.

RESILIENCE

Last season, too many players were disinterested and there was an absence of leadership. But Parkinson has transformed them into hard-working players who have a neversay-die attitude. If things aren’t going Bolton’s way in games, the players have the right temperament and the guile to sway the match in their favour.

Credit: Chadwick Media

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We have some of the best young players in the world, it is our responsibility to turn them into world stars.

Last summer was certainly a cause for celebration after the England U20’s lifted the World Cup; the U19’s won the Euros, and the U21’s were semi-finalists also in the European Championships.

For years, we have been told that English clubs have not produced enough home-grown players. But it is evidently not true. We have just had one of the most successful years for English youth players, yet the prospect of an England senior team getting to the final stages of a tournament still seems a very long way away.

We have, of course, been here before.

Under Stuart Pearce’s management, the England U21’s got to the semifinals of the Euros in 2007 and in 2009 were finalists. But what good came from the hard-work put into producing these young talents? The answer? Not much. Of the 2007 squad, only seven are now playing regular 22

Premier League football. Amongst those seven are players such as Wayne Routledge, Ashley Young and Mark Noble. They are hardly world-beaters.

The 2009 squad, who were finalists, tells a similar story. But, the German team which England lost to had Manuel Neuer, Mesut Ozil, Jerome Boateng. All of whom have won World Cups and are currently playing the best teams in the world of football.

So, why have our players not gone on to have stellar careers? It has to be down to the vast amounts of money in the top division and the fact that the majority of Premier League clubs are foreign owned and managed. In Germany, Spain and Italy, the vast majority of top division teams are owned and managed by people from their own nations. So, in England, there is less of an appetite to develop the English national team because

the clubs are run by people who have little or no affinity with the national squad. Also, the Premier League has instilled a culture and mentality of excessive spending and greed. Why would English clubs bother spending 5-10 years developing young players when they can buy a ready-made star for £30m and still have money to spare?

For many English clubs, the development of young players is viewed as a commercial enterprise, rather than a benefit to a first team squad. For instance, Premier League clubs will poach the best young stars from lower league teams for a couple of million pounds, loan them back out again, and when they are fully developed, will sell them on for a profit.

Of course, it would be deceiving to say that this is the case for every English club – it’s not. Southampton, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, in particular, have put a lot of effort into developing players and also playing them in their squads. It comes as no surprise that Tottenham has had two of their best seasons in the last two years finishing 3rd in the 2015/16 season and 2nd last year. Everton, after implementing young English players, finished 7th last year, one of their best results for some years. This refutes the myth that young English players are not of the same standards as a £20m foreign transfer, they just need to be given a chance to prove themselves.

But more Premier League clubs need to take note, how many U21 players

in 2007 and 2009 missed out on great careers because their parent clubs never gave them the chance to prove themselves and develop further? Premier League owners and managers need to put more effort into properly developing young English players, and playing them in their first team. It cannot be the case that it is not their responsibility. The fact that they are in charge of an English club should be enough. Do these owners not have a duty to their fans? It is not just owners and managers; however, it is also Richard Scudamore, who has a duty as Executive Chairman of the Premier League to oversee more English players being given game time.

We have a world-class crop of young English talent, many of whom could become world stars if they are given a chance in the Premier League. It is high time everybody took more responsibility of producing more English talent rather than passing the buck. Otherwise, it will be another decade of the England national team in the doldrums.

23 Article By Kasey Smith

5

WAYS BOLTON RERS WANDE ID CAN AVO TION RELEGA

Credit: Bolton Whites Hotel

The Championship is one of the most grueling leagues in the world, it is awash with sleeping giants who all believe they have what it takes to, at least, get into the top six.

Three quarters of the teams in the division at the start of the season would have argued that they had a chance of winning promotion.

And as Bolton re-enter the championship after an outstanding season, they need to be aware that it is going to be a lot tougher than their promotion-winning campaign. Here are five ways Bolton can avoid relegation.

BE VERSATILE

STRENGTHEN THE SQUAD

This is a no brainer. If you get your defence in order, then you will pick up points. Parkinson has already adopted this mantra in League One, but he needs to build on that. What if Beevers or Wheater get injured? And let’s not forget how bad Dervite was in the Championship a couple of years ago.

Bolton need a goalkeeper, unfortunately both Alnwick and Howard have appeared too shaky and that won’t work in the championship. Bolton have had a lot of injuries this season and when players such as Spearing, Taylor and Madine have been out, they have (understandably) struggled in games. Bolton need better back-up options for these players, but at the same time keeping the core squad which won them promotion.

CUT SEASON TICKET PRICES

The board have worked wonders in getting the fans back on side and as a result attendances have increased massively and people are proud to call themselves Bolton Wanderers fans again. Decreasing the season ticket prices for next season will encourage more fans to sign up, create a better atmosphere and will be a real boost to the team.

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Article by Kasey Smith

Phil Parkinson, so far, has done an exceptional job. But, this season there has been too much reliance on Gary Madine holding up the ball and for us to be successful in the Championship next year, they will have to have a better plan B otherwise Bolton will be out very soon.

DEFENCE FIRST, ATTACK SECOND

USE THE ACADEMY

It is well documented that Bolton cannot pay fees for players, and over the years they have produced some fantastic talents e.g., Clough, Holding and Vela. This needs to continue to bolster our squad and so that Bolton can be a sustainable club.

Those were my top tips for success but let’s see if any are put into action next season.

COYWM!

Credit: Bolton Wanderers

INTERVIEW: The Apprentice Winner Alana Spencer’s Advice for Young Entrepreneurs After becoming Lord Sugar’s Business Partner and crowned winner of The Apprentice, Alana Spencer is fast becoming Queen of the Cake Empire.

Alana, from a village in Wales, founded an incredible cake business ‘Ridiculously Rich by Alana’ and caught up with us at the Bolton Food and Drink Festival.

The 24-Year-Old started her business back when she was in school at age 16. Alana’s on a hugely impressive journey and we wanted to find out more.

Watch the interview!

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“If you’re entrepreneurial, you’ll just get out there and get on with it. You don’t really need advice - a lot of people throughout my journey have tried to give me advice – some of it great and some of it not so great. The best thing you can do is to just go out there and do it!”

Teamwork and having a strong network of people around you is important to Alana: “Surrounding yourself with positive people that believe in what you’re doing and definitely listen to feedback from people because ultimately the way to grow is to work out what’s going to be best for you and your company. Listen to people but don’t listen to them too much! Do it yourself!”

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“all i needed was a a diff Meet Kieran Roberts who set up his own charity at 23-years-old. Kieran is a teacher at West Didsbury Primary School and is changing the world, one step at a time.

Around a year ago, Kieran visited Tanzania on holiday and as he was driving through, he saw some schools that looked terrible - schools that didn’t even have books for the children who studied there.

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Kieran wanted to change that, he wanted to make a difference and so he set up ‘The No Barriers Foundation’ which works with schools in countries that need support. His charity helps to hire teachers and raise materials for them to use.

Speaking to Xplode Magazine, Kieran said: “After I visited Tanzania and saw what the children had to put up with, I wanted to make a difference. Your life chances shouldn’t depend on where you were born and the best way to get out of poverty is education, so I started sending a few books to less-well-off countries.

“The word then spread and I had lots of different charities approaching me for help and I

started a big book drive to help as many schools as possible.

“I ran the recent Manchester 10K Run and raised enough

“250 million children worldwide, can’t read” money to pay for a teacher in Bangladesh, which is just incredible. I feel really proud and I didn’t intend for it to go this far.

“When I first sent the books away, I thought that’s it, I’ve done my part and then I got some photos of the kids with the books that we’d sent over and that just motivated me to do more.

“There are 120 million chil-

s a laptop to make ference” dren across the world living in poverty and I’m only helping a couple of hundred at the moment, so there’s more to be done!

“There are lots of ways to get involved and the easiest way is to help with teaching supplies – books, pens and pencils. It’s all about the small items.”

Speaking about how he set up, Kieran said it was easy: “I’ve not had any money to finance it, I’m just an average teacher – all I needed really was a laptop. I just wanted to help and I asked people – you don’t need to be a different breed of person or well-off.

If you want to make a difference, just take the initiative.”

To get involved with The No Barriers Foundation, head to their website: nobarriersfoundation.org

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BOLTON VISION 2030 CONFERENCE

Article by Jonathan Wright & Jaya Patel

As Bolton’s Youth MPs, we have the privilege to be the voice of the young people of Bolton on a local, regional and national level. Back in January we attended the Bolton 2030 Vision conference. Here, representatives from different organisations, businesses and voluntary groups met in the newly renovated Albert Hall to discuss what we wanted Bolton to be like in 13 years’ time and how we can achieve it. One thing was clear, the involvement and participation of young people is essential! A popular idea included more celebration of voluntary work, development in the town centre, and more highlight events like the Food and Drink Festival. After the event, it was clear to see Bolton has a lot of amazing assets and potential. We can’t wait to begin work on creating a better, more aspirational and more inclusive Bolton for all.

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GENERAL ELECTION SHOWS YOUNG PEOPLE’S VOICES MATTER ‘Out of touch’, ‘snowflakes’ – these are just some of the phrases thrown around to describe many of us young people - after the EU referendum last June.

O

ne year later and things have moved on unrecognisably, delivered by the sheer numbers in which young people across our country turned out to vote on Thursday, 8 June. Under-25s voting in the General Election rose 12 points, research by NME found and some pollsters saying 72% of the young electorate turned out.

Politics just ‘isn’t interesting’, ‘voting doesn’t matter’ and ‘pointless shouting’ – this is how many young people describe the politics of our country as their first impression. What about the issues that matter to young people?

The unfortunate mix of wanting to better our life chances, which forces many young people to carry a mountain of debt; the stigmatism of mental health, and getting a job, are just some of the issues often ignored.

Things are changing and young people are at the centre of it. The shift began in the Greater Manchester Mayoral Election in May 2017. Labour’s Andy Burnham and the Conservatives’ Sean Anstee put forward a vision for the young people of our region. From transport pledges tackling the cost burden on young people, to opening up pathways through new infrastructure for apprenticeships and a focus on full-time volunteering programmes.

The surge in the youth vote was unprecedented at the General Election, but this renewed focus on young people is no doubt on course to end the statusquo. Young people have been excluded from the core-vote that politicians of all political shades clamber after.

We can’t afford to go back to business as usual; we must keep force behind the momentum engaging more young people in their democratic right.

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THE TRUTH

T U O B A

S M O K IN G

Whether you’re a social smoker, vaper or a regular smoker, smoking can have some damaging effects on your health. Despite these effects being well advertised, there are still a few misconceptions surrounding smoking, so here are a few myth-busting answers.

IF I SMOKE, PEOPLE WILL THINK I’M COOL A recent survey said that one of the biggest reasons behind why young people smoked was in order to look cool and was closely followed by starting smoking because your friends do! Some people might think that smoking makes you look cool, however, smoking over a prolonged period of time can often affect your physical appearance. Certain chemicals within cigarettes can cause hair cells to degenerate, which can lead to dull, lacklustre looking hair. Other research has found that smoking can also cause the hair to thin which could lead to balding. It’s not only your hair that is affected- smoking can deprive the skin of its much-needed oxygen and nutrients, which can cause pale and uneven skin colour.

These issues aren’t normally

Article by Chloe Bennett supported by Bolton Council’s Public Health Department

common amongst young people; however, these effects can occur more quickly in young smokers compared to non-smokers.

Other toxins inhaled during smoking can damage the skin causing the early onset of wrinkles, which might make you look several years older and isn’t particularly attractive.

SMOKING ONLY AFFECTS ME Smoking can have a damaging effect not only on the smoker but on those around them. So, even if you don’t smoke, frequent exposure to second hand smoke may also have damaging effects.

Research into smoking and its consequences found that young people aged between 16-24 years old were amongst the highest group to report exposure to second hand smoke. With 64% of secondary school pupils reporting to have been exposed to second hand smoke. The damage caused by smoke inhalation can be the same as actually smoking yourself, which can result in cancers and other smoking related diseases.

SMOKING ROLLIES IS BETTER THAN NORMAL CIGARETTES Research has shown that ‘rollies’ (hand-rolled cigarettes) have become more popular amongst smokers in recent years especially with younger generations, due

to being cheaper than normal cigarettes. Their appeal has also been linked to the want of being able to roll the ‘perfect cigarette’, which might be seen as attractive to other young people. Alongside the increased popularity, is the misconception that they aren’t as bad for you as straight cigarettes.

Studies have shown that people perceive rollies to be made of more natural ingredients with fewer harmful toxins than normal cigarettes. This perception has been warned to be dangerous by experts as they conclude that they are at least as damaging as normal cigarettes. It has also been claimed that rollies can contain more additives which might increase addiction.

can be said to be less harmful.

Tar exposure from light cigarettes can be just as high as normal cigarettes if longer or deeper puffs are taken.

SMOKING ‘LIGHT’ CIGARETTES ARE LESS HARMFUL Many people buy ‘light’ cigarettes as it is thought that they contain less tar which would therefore be less damaging to their health than normal cigarettes. However, just like rollies, no type of cigarette

THERE’S NO-WHERE TO GO FOR HELP There’s lots of help available if you want to quit smoking! You can go to smokefree.gov. which offer loads of tips and tools to help you quit once and for all. Alternatively, look out for local ‘stop smoking service’ for help and guidance.

VAPING IS BETTER THAN SMOKING CIGARETTES Vaping is often used as an alternative to smoking or is used as a method to quit smoking cigarettes all together. Some of the common side effects from vaping include, coughing, dehydration, headaches and dizziness. However, there’s still a lot of conflicting research about whether vaping is better than smoking normal cigarettes. Obviously, not vaping at all would still be the best option health wise!

31

10 1

must see places for

Fans

Glenfinnan Viaduct, Lochaber

Based in Scotland, this is the Victorian Railway which is seen in the Chamber of Secrets when Harry and Ron almost crash into the Hogwarts Express. It’s also seen in the Prisoner of Azkaban when the train stops on the bridge during Harry’s first encounter with a Dementor.

3

Durham Cathedral, Quadrangle

The Quadrangle of Durham Cathedral is used to film the corridors, outdoor courtyard and classroom shots, which includes Professor McGonagall’s classroom. In the first film, Harry can also be seen releasing Hedwig and it’s where Ron vomits slugs.

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2

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

Madam Hooch’s first flying lesson takes place outside Alnwick Castle at the Outer Bailey. As well as serveral other scenes, it’s where Harry and Ron land the Ford Anglia in the Chamber of Secrets.

4

Lacock Abbey

On the outskirts of Lacock Village, is the Abbey which was used for many Hogwarts interior scenes. Here, the Mirror of Erised, Professor Snape’s classroom and Professor Quirrell’s classroom scenes were filmed.

6 5

Malham Cove, Limestone Pavement

In The Deathly Hallows, Harry and Hermione set up their camp in a tent on the Limestone Pavement at the top of Malham Cove.

7

Goathland Station

Filmed at Goathland Train Station in North Yorkshire is the Hogsmeade Train Station. This location can be seen when the students of Hogwarts are on the train back to Kings Cross Station at the end of the movie.

Loch Shiel, Glencoe and Virginia Water, Surrey

Also based in Scotland this location is used as the magnificent lake that surrounds Hogwarts.

Freshwater West, However, the lake where Harry Pembrokeshire sees the Hippogriff Buckbeak and later confronts the Dementors is This beach located in South-west Wales is where Dobby tragically Virginia Water in Surrey. dies at the end of Deathly Hallows Part One and also at the beginning of Part 2 as the exterior set of Bill Kings Cross, & Fleur’s Shell Cottage.

8

9

Platform 9 ¾

10

At Kings Cross Station in London, between the walls of Platform 4 The Elephant and 5, lies Platform 9 and ¾. You House Café can take pictures here with the trolley stuck in the wall and there Based in Edinburgh, Elephant is even a Harry Potter gift shop House Café is where the magic located here. of Harry Potter came to life by JK Rowling. The author of the Harry Potter series wrote parts of the first book in this café.

Article by Aliyah Khan 33

FUN! FUN! FUN!

By Shabih Syed

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