Fair Futures Commission aims to make Islington the best place to grow up
A pioneering new commission has been launched to examine how to make Islington the best possible place for children to grow up.
The Fair Futures Commission, which launched today (22 February), puts young people at the heart of an in-depth look at what it means to grow up in Islington, and what can be done to change this for the better.
Chaired by 22-year-old Jermain Jackman, a former Islington Arts and Media School student who won TV talent show The Voice in 2014, the Commission brings together a diverse range of expertise – from academics and psychologists, to local students and parents. They share a desire to help children and young people reach their potential.
Explaining why he got involved, Jermain said: “The Commission resonates with me because I have seen that young people have the ability to reach their full potential, but too often society pushes them aside.
“For a young person today, mental health issues, knife crime and increasing gang violence are serious issues. This Commission is a first step in the right direction towards trying to tackle these problems for young people in Islington.”
Jermain will be joined by more than 20 commissioners, including members of Islington Youth Council. The Commission will carry out its work over a 12 month period, listening to local people and asking difficult questions about growing up in Islington. It will make recommendations to Islington Council and its partners on how best to ensure that children and young people are at the very centre of local public services.
Cllr Joe Caluori, Islington Council’s executive member with responsibility for children, young people and families, is one of the Commissioners. He said: “Our desire to see all children in Islington get the best start in life has seen us pioneer free school meals, keep all our children's centres open despite the cuts and invest millions in youth services. But we recognise that too many children in Islington face barriers to setting ambitious goals and achieving their true potential. This Commission is an important step towards removing those barriers so all children can thrive, regardless of their background.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, welcomed the Commission, saying: “As a Mayor for all Londoners, I want young people across the capital to have the best opportunities, wherever they live. By bringing together experts, parents and young people themselves, the Commission will put the interests of Islington’s youngsters at the heart of their borough and help them to reach their full potential.”
To find out more and to get involved please visit: www.fairfutures.org
The Fair Futures Commission, which launched today (22 February), puts young people at the heart of an in-depth look at what it means to grow up in Islington, and what can be done to change this for the better.
Chaired by 22-year-old Jermain Jackman, a former Islington Arts and Media School student who won TV talent show The Voice in 2014, the Commission brings together a diverse range of expertise – from academics and psychologists, to local students and parents. They share a desire to help children and young people reach their potential.
Explaining why he got involved, Jermain said: “The Commission resonates with me because I have seen that young people have the ability to reach their full potential, but too often society pushes them aside.
“For a young person today, mental health issues, knife crime and increasing gang violence are serious issues. This Commission is a first step in the right direction towards trying to tackle these problems for young people in Islington.”
Jermain will be joined by more than 20 commissioners, including members of Islington Youth Council. The Commission will carry out its work over a 12 month period, listening to local people and asking difficult questions about growing up in Islington. It will make recommendations to Islington Council and its partners on how best to ensure that children and young people are at the very centre of local public services.
Cllr Joe Caluori, Islington Council’s executive member with responsibility for children, young people and families, is one of the Commissioners. He said: “Our desire to see all children in Islington get the best start in life has seen us pioneer free school meals, keep all our children's centres open despite the cuts and invest millions in youth services. But we recognise that too many children in Islington face barriers to setting ambitious goals and achieving their true potential. This Commission is an important step towards removing those barriers so all children can thrive, regardless of their background.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, welcomed the Commission, saying: “As a Mayor for all Londoners, I want young people across the capital to have the best opportunities, wherever they live. By bringing together experts, parents and young people themselves, the Commission will put the interests of Islington’s youngsters at the heart of their borough and help them to reach their full potential.”
To find out more and to get involved please visit: www.fairfutures.org
Notes to editors
The Commissioners are:
Jermain Jackman – Chair
Kadeema Woodbyrne – Founder of Go-Forward, Deputy Chair
Honey Baker, Year 9 student
Joe Caluori – Islington Councillor Lead Member for Children & Families
Dominic Campbell – Founder of FutureGov
Theresa Debono – Islington Councillor
Maggie Elliott – Islington Resident, Vice Chair of Islington Giving
Iqra Finiin, Year 12 student
Carlene Firmin MBE - Senior Research Fellow, University of Bedfordshire
Diana Gomez, Islington Young Mayor
Dawood Gustave – Founder of Reluctantly Brave
Jessey Hall, Young Commissioner
Mouna Hamitouche MBE – Islington Councillor
Dez Holmes - Director of Research in Practice
Rakhia Ismail – Islington Councillor
Kevin Jara Aced, Young Commissioner
Claire Lemer - Consultant in General Paediatrics and Service Transformation, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital
Carmel Littleton – Corporate Director of Children’s Services, Islington Council
Yvonne Millar MBE- Consultant Clinical Psychologist / Service Manager at CAMHS Islington
Professor Margaret O’Brien - Director of Thomas Coram Research Unit, UCL
Chloe Olden, Isledon Arts
Una O’Halloran– Deputy Mayor, Islington Councillor
John and Rachel Roberts – Parents of two children at Islington schools
Dr Kitty Stewart - Associate Professor of Social Policy at London School of Economics
Nick Ward – Islington Councillor
Jermain Jackman – Chair
Kadeema Woodbyrne – Founder of Go-Forward, Deputy Chair
Honey Baker, Year 9 student
Joe Caluori – Islington Councillor Lead Member for Children & Families
Dominic Campbell – Founder of FutureGov
Theresa Debono – Islington Councillor
Maggie Elliott – Islington Resident, Vice Chair of Islington Giving
Iqra Finiin, Year 12 student
Carlene Firmin MBE - Senior Research Fellow, University of Bedfordshire
Diana Gomez, Islington Young Mayor
Dawood Gustave – Founder of Reluctantly Brave
Jessey Hall, Young Commissioner
Mouna Hamitouche MBE – Islington Councillor
Dez Holmes - Director of Research in Practice
Rakhia Ismail – Islington Councillor
Kevin Jara Aced, Young Commissioner
Claire Lemer - Consultant in General Paediatrics and Service Transformation, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital
Carmel Littleton – Corporate Director of Children’s Services, Islington Council
Yvonne Millar MBE- Consultant Clinical Psychologist / Service Manager at CAMHS Islington
Professor Margaret O’Brien - Director of Thomas Coram Research Unit, UCL
Chloe Olden, Isledon Arts
Una O’Halloran– Deputy Mayor, Islington Councillor
John and Rachel Roberts – Parents of two children at Islington schools
Dr Kitty Stewart - Associate Professor of Social Policy at London School of Economics
Nick Ward – Islington Councillor
Contact information
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