Fair Futures Commission chair Jermain Jackman sets out top questions for public

Jermain Jackman, chair of the Fair Futures Commission which is looking at how to make Islington the best place for children and young people to grow up, has outlined some of the top questions for people to help the commission achieve its goal.

The questions will help get young people, their parents, teachers and carers thinking about what they want for current and future generations growing up in Islington – and suggesting ideas on how best to achieve it.

The commission’s inquiry is under way, gathering opinions and feedback from all corners of Islington life – and Jermain says now is the time to get involved, make your own voice heard and join the debate to shape Islington’s future.

Jermain said: “I want Islington to be the greatest place in the world for a child or young person to grow up. That’s why I’m chairing this commission, and we are listening. Our aim is to give a voice to the voiceless and lend an ear to those who have been crying out for change. But we need your help and ideas to really make the difference.

“How would a better Islington feel for a child or young person? What would it look like? How would children and young people grow, learn and play? How would organisations work with the community on solutions, and how and where should investments be made?

“These are the questions we’re asking of you so we can truly represent people’s views; so that in future the council and its partner organisations can put a vision for a child and youth-friendly community at the heart of everything it does.”

Cllr Joe Caluori, one of the commissioners and the council’s executive member for children, young people and families, added: “We want to listen to the views of all people in Islington about how we can make the borough a better place to grow up for all children, and I’m really looking forward to hearing all the ideas people have.”

The pioneering, forward-thinking commission is founded on the basis that prevention is better than cure. It is taking an in-depth look at what it means to grow up in Islington, and what can be done to change this for the better.

Jermain, a former Islington Arts and Media School student who won TV talent show The Voice in 2014, is joined on the commission by more than 20 commissioners who offer a diverse range of expertise – from academics and psychologists to local students, parents and members of Islington Youth Council. They all share a desire to help children and young people reach their potential.

The commission, praised by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, 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.

To find out more and get involved, see fairfutures.org, call 020 7527 3080 or email fairfutures@islington.gov.uk. You can also get in touch on Twitter @fairfuturesis, via Facebook at facebook.com/fairfuturesislington and on Instagram at instagram.com/fairfuturesislington.