The Real Young London

by Colin Paddy

“I’m passionate about this cause and I want to see the Government make changes”.

Jemma believes intervention + rehabilitation = prevention.

Having written for a number of projects, sent hundreds of emails to officials and met many representatives to discuss her projects, she realised others felt the same.

She said: "We need to stop assuming and trying too hard to make things politically correct and get to the point. Put the questions to those who have lived the lives we are trying to change; they will have the answers."

She went on: “We need to stop talking about young people, gang and knife crime like we're talking about another breed of humans and start taking responsibility. Statutory organisations are failing this generation."

"There’s no doubt laws need to be stricter. It needs to be known that if you take part in gang activities and carry weapons there will be grave consequences. If we expect young people to put down their weapons, we need to give them options, not just jail sentences. There’s not much to do it for if that’s all we are offering."

"Young people need to feel someone is fighting for them on a large scale. We need people who are passionate about the cause teamed with political direction and drive. Without that we get what we have today - a government that is badly run."

"It’s not just about specific parties or party leaders, it's also people further down the food chain, and unfortunately for Gordon Brown you are only as good as your weakest link. Labour at worst are the best of a bad bunch. No other party could or will do better."

"However, Government needs to change. It's not about money, it’s about who’s handling it. It’s not about the ability to see what needs to be done, it’s the way in which it is done. We need changes. Firstly the government needs to stop expecting these organisations to be short-term funded volunteers."

Jemma recently spoke to local Labour MP Home Office Minister Tony McNulty who was positive and offered his support.

She also spoke to Paul Clarke of Harrow Council, who thought her idea to deal with arrested youths was a great idea and wanted to discuss it further.

She hopes to launch a youth website, under the Mix Inc. brand, where people can speak their minds. Jemma believes music is a great creative forum for young people and feels this where her passion to help young people is strongest, through music.

“Why is there nothing at earlier stages to prevent young people from getting to the point where they don’t believe in their own future?” she asks.

Jemma may not be a politician but someone who cares and is prepared to stand up for what’s right. "To show that they’re young people out there trying to make a positive contribution to society."

Jemma’s main projects are:

SPORTS PROJECTS:
To widely promote health, fitness and structured local ongoing activities.
Coaches of all sports would teach youngsters to play and coach sports enabling young people to coach other youths.

DEDICATED SERVICES FOR THE 20+
Support & Options.

EDUCATION RECOVERY –
Structured youth centre for those for whatever reason NEET (young people not in education, employment or training), which via creative means gives young teens/adults basic & fundamental education, self-belief and personal understanding.

YOUNG BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
A way to encourage business mentality and offer a more tangible reward for hard work.

All views expressed are of the contributor and not the BBC.