The Real Young London

The current issues surrounding young people and crime seem to ignore the good image of young people who are actually taking positive steps to enhance their lives and ensure they will have a good future.

Students taking a moment for a picture

One of the best ways of ensuring young people are always looking out for their future is to encourage them to have someone to look up to.

A good role model, whether a celebrity/ sports personality or someone amongst their family and friends, is a powerful way of boosting confidence and belief in young people's lives and making sure they get the best advice and knowledge to achieve their goals.

We interviewed young people ranging from the ages of 16 to 19 and asked them to tell us about their role models and how important they are to them. We also asked what their future plans are and how they see themselves fitting into society at the present.

Daniel and Zaciya Preparing an interview

At The Brit, a performing arts and technology school in Croydon, the students are talented and determined young people who all aim high in their lives.

Students from Cranford Community College in Hounslow also see nothing but great things for their future and are already on the way to achieving them.

At Repton Boxing Club in Bethnal Green we talked to 18-year-old Mohammed, who sees his future in the ring and like everyone we spoke to, is positive and will fight for a better future. 

Who is your role model and what makes a good one?

Daniel, a Year 12 Music student from Peckham, is inspired by singer / songwriter Lemar and, like his idol, wants to ensure he has a good education behind him. He has already begun spreading a message against youth crime through his lyrics, something which he feels personally connected with.

Michelle, a Year 12 student from Cranford Community College, believes a good role model is someone who can give direction when she feels lost and someone to look up to.

Her mother is her role model because she is a strong person who taught her a lot. She told us her mother is her conscience, ''the little person on my shoulder asking me if that is the right thing to do".

We then spoke to Michelle's mother to see how she felt about being mentioned as a good role model. She said that she was surprised and didn't expect her teenage daughter to say so. She believes that parents should listen to their kids and pay attention, which can help with encouraging them to reach their goals.

Jade, a Year 13 student at The Brit School, said that her mother is her role model because she pushes her to make sure she never loses motivation. ''When I don't want to do certain things she always urges me on, and in the end it always comes out good and makes me a better person,'' she said.

When we spoke with Jade's mother she said that being a single mother is not that easy, but she keeps working hard to ensure her daughter will always know to strive for her goals. She also said that mutual respect between parents and young people is necessary and helps to encourage them.

What plans do you have for the future?

Shelton, a Year 12 student from The Brit School, hopes that his future will be about making a difference. He doesn't want to be like other people, sticking to convention.

Shelton getting ready to interview guest

Where do you see your role in society at the present time?

Rachel thinks right now there is no place for people of her age and, if they want to get anywhere and have a place to belong, then they need to work a little harder.

Shelton feels his role at the moment is to break away from convention in order to make a difference in the future. He said, ''I think my role in society is just to kinda try and break the mould. That's what I wanna do.''

Bhuwan, a Year 13 student at Cranford, is a table tennis coach to kids younger than himself. After being taught when he was younger, he is now giving back to kids what he learnt, passing on the inspiration he gained.

Michelle from Cranford thinks that a role model has a lot of responsibility to live up to. She worries that if she were a role model she might disappoint those who look up to her.

Mohammed prepares for training at Repton

Roland Preece, a Year 12 student from Cranford, agrees that role models are a better way forward, as people need something to aspire to and when they have role models then they can see it is possible to achieve their aspirations.

Mohammed, from Repton Boxing Club, believes that it depends on the social environment. He feels that while some people need role models, other people just need the guidance given to them by their parents.