Become the next Young Mayor
Interested in becoming the next Young Mayor of Lewisham?
1. Download a pack;
Or ask for a candidate pack from the Young Mayor's Office, Mayor's Office, 2nd floor, Civic Suite, Catford (next to the town hall)
2.Get a parent/carer to sign your form to say they know you are standing for election.
3. Get a teacher to sign to say the school/college are aware that you are standing.
4. Start thinking about and writing your manifesto. Why should young people vote for you?
5. Get 50 young people to sign to say they think you should stand.
6. Fill in the rest of the form and get back to the Young Mayor's team.
If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask, Good luck!
Candidates for Young Mayor for Lewisham 2009
Ola Adeniyi
I think I should be elected as Young Mayor of Lewisham because I want to make the Lewisham borough a better place to live for me and you. I also want to make new facilities for the youth so they have something to do instead of doing bad things like vandalism. I will also like to say if I am elected as young mayor I will try my best to get more street lights so people feel more safe at night. More youth clubs so people can enjoy themselves with their friends. If you vote for me I will try my best to make Lewisham a better place. I need your help to try to make these things happen so a vote for me is a vote for change.
Bevon Blair
Who is this unknown person? Why is he a candidate? What can he do for young people of Lewisham? These and many other thoughts are probably racing through your mind as you look at my hideous photo beside this message and I don’t blame you. There have been countless other candidates who have promised the construction of cinemas, the creation of football pitches and the improvement of estates, including many other promises that might not have been kept. As the young mayor I aim to be your voice and nothing less. My overall aim is to take facilities already in existence, improve their quality and by using the Lewisham council website as a means of communication with you, keep you informed on upcoming events so you don’t find out about that dance or that sports workshop when it finishes. As well as, for you to have a platform to tell me what it is, you want to happen in our borough, I can assure you that despite the photo if you choose me as your young mayor I promise to use my confidence and determination to let your voice, our voice be heard.
Paris Burt
Did you know that Lewisham has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the UK? It’s a fact and a problem that needs a solution. My name is Paris Burt and I’m standing as Young Mayor for Lewisham because, I believe that the real issues that should be taken care of are, always disregarded.
We are all going to become adults soon and some people are forced to mature before their age. Therefore we need to make sure that the housing facilities and support for pregnant teenagers and young carers are well advertised and promoted. I was born into the system, treated like a statistic and got in trouble with the law. You may be thinking to yourself why would I want to elect her? Because I have experience all of which I can relate to the youth in Lewisham on levels that other candidates will not be able to. I’m not going to promise anything that I cannot deliver, I’m not big on words, so you’re just going to have to take me for what you see. Vote for me and together you and I can make a difference, yes we can.
Georgie Finch
The reason why I would like to stand as young mayor for Lewisham is because I think that I could make Lewisham more lively and less aggressive or violent than it is at the moment. I mean it just needs a bit more oomph and I believe that I can provide that without fail. For the Lewisham community, I am willing to start up a community house called Jammin’ Spot that opens at 4pm and closes at 8pm. It will have activities run by energetic, funny and powerful adults and also an additional recording suite, art room and gym. The activities that will take place could help children from the age 11+ to get over anger and violence if it ever occurs. I came up with this community house because I see that there are one too many fights, which (at times) can turn into murders, developed in the borough of Lewisham. Not that I am being big headed, but I think that I could be the best person to take the place of Young Mayor for Lewisham because I am a happy, lively, fair and understandable girl that will do whatever she can to Lewisham to satisfy you!
Toks Hussain
The current image of youths is greatly tainted in this nation. We are misrepresented by the media, judged and stereotyped by our dress codes. I believe we have the power to change this vile image that is why I am standing for Young Mayor. I want to demonstrate we still are the hope of our generation. As Young Mayor, I intend to invest in our local talents, specifically in sports; through tournaments. We can prepare our youth for the 2012 Olympics and raise champions from Lewisham. I shall create programmes that will air our opinions. I also intend to raise sexual awareness because Lewisham has the highest rates of teenage pregnancies and a new stage of gonorrhoea. I also intend recreational facilities to be free for all young people, this will also tackle obesity. I shall publicise updates through schools and the public libraries because local newspapers are undermined. Vision is the only thing greater than power! With my vision, I believe we can take Lewisham to the next dimension. True power is the ability to serve, I am ready to serve my home, Lewisham and together we will make the difference young people need, want and deserve.
Imani Jawarah Lindsay
I am Imani Jawarah Lindsay and I will decrease the negative perception that the older generation have portrayed on young people. Not only will I do this, but I will change how we the young people of Lewisham portray the older generation.
I will create a way for young people’s voices to be heard more distinctly through political activism. I will do this by creating an online blog where young people can share their thoughts and feelings not only on Lewisham but on everyday life. This will be checked regularly and your thoughts and feelings will be taken into consideration. This will give you the young people a chance to change Lewisham for the better whether you are disabled, homosexual or someone whose voice isn’t heard you’re voice will be heard. I will change things that will not only take effect in the short term but in the long term. Do you think your voice is being heard? Elect me as your Young Mayor of Lewisham.
Nana Jehu-Appiah
I am Nana Jehu-Appiah and I want to stand for young mayor of Lewisham because I believe that the youth of today are the future leaders of tomorrow. Young people receive a lot of negative publicity for a number of reasons. Firstly, Crime- there has been a lot of crime committed in the area. I have had firsthand experience of the effect of people dying of knife crime, one of my good friends was fatally stabbed in May 2008 and I noticed that there was not much support given to family and friends. I intend to help provide those services. Teenage pregnancy- I have noticed that there is a big problem with teenage pregnancy. Lewisham is amongst the top 3 boroughs with a high pregnancy rate. I intend to work with young mothers and young fathers and offer them readily available support. I will feedback to the young people of Lewisham by creating a website and regular newsletters. I am confident that I am the person for the job because I have the Ability to Inspire Others, Ability to Set an Example to be Followed and able to handle feedback from the public
My mission is to restore faith in the youth.
Obi Juwah
If elected Young Mayor of Lewisham I will make sure your voice is truly heard. Firstly as everybody talks about more youth clubs in Lewisham I will make sure You know about every youth club that is in this area. This will happen by leaflets and advertisements being sent to every school in Lewisham informing pupils on the clubs whereabouts. Secondly following the brilliant GCSE results students have achieved, I will start the ‘diploma’ scheme; this is where 16-18 year olds can have hands on experience with practical jobs such as mechanics, catering, carpentry and many more. This will give young people a strong foothold on work during these troubling times of economic downturn. Finally even though Lewisham has great sports facilities to get kids ready for 2012 the only area which is lacking is cycling. With bikes being a very popular form of transport I will promise to rejuvenate B.M.X. and Skate parks in Lewisham. My other policies include Mini Carnivals and events and a weekly updated Facebook, Myspace, Bebo account where your views can be posted.
Leah Montgomery
I am standing to be Young Mayor because I want teenagers to be proud about living in Lewisham. I think teenage pregnancy is a big issue, I believe there should be more awareness about being a young mother and the impact it can have on your life. As Young Mayor I would also like to talk to young people to find out how we can make Lewisham a safer place. Another big issue for me is to create change so that young people think more about the environment, for example, taking responsibility for using bins available and encouraging people to use their cars less.
Finally I go to a special needs school so I see people with disabilities everyday and I want to show young people that we’re not different to you.
Lola Mustapha
Dear Lewisham,
What is Young Mayor to you?
Is it the Young Mayor’s son? Is it the most popular kid in school?... No...The young mayor is the voice of the young people in our borough... As part of team Lewisham I believe we should all get equal opportunities and be able to reach our goals. Being the Young Mayor will allow me to be the bearer of good news and deliver your own personal opinions to the mayor himself...But what’s really wrong with our borough? What needs changing~? ... Nothing!... Why make new changes when young people can be the centre of decisions. Instead of making new promises, allow me to fill up your mind with what we want to do. Instead of making new youth groups let’s invest in the ones we already have, giving them residential ‘with new experiences...put a stop to shelf stacking on work experience; we want placements’ at the BBC, lawyers offices, banks and MTV Base and get more rewards like gift vouchers for young people that achieve in community work and school. SO team Lewisham, let me know what you want. Let me be your voice. Because we are the future...I am the movement...SO vote for me and watch the improvement.
Ta’Kara Nguyen
I’m Ta’Kara AKA Tkaii. From growing up Lewisham all my life, I’ve seen how much impact us young people make in our community but I know more still can be done. I believe every young person has rights, so my main issue to tackle is clearer and more justified reasons for stop searches on under 18’s. I also believe in changing something negative into positive but the only way this can be done is if the resources are available. I will try and create spaces for aspiring artists along with training to help them all achieve their goals. This is just a taster of what I have in store, but with your help my ideas can be made even better! To make sure you’re up to date with my changes (so you don’t think I’m just lazy lol) I will create an online blog so you can all have your say. I’m not superwoman, but I assure you I will do anything and everything in my power to change Lewisham life for ALL Young People. So get involved and vote Ta’Kara.
Larni Phoenix
I’m Larni Phoenix. I want to represent the youth in our diverse community, cater for everyone, whatever their age, race or culture. I want to launch an underage club, which will host week-day workshops, based around creative subjects such as music production, dance and drama. These workshops will help young people to see their potential, and to work to reach their goals. On weekends, it will host underage concerts and club nights, featuring all types of music, with genres varying from indie-rock to dubstep. As well as attending these nights, young people can offer to perform or dj to showcase their talent. I also want to promote the cheap gym facilities available locally for young people; so that we can all get the necessary exercise that we need in a relaxed environment. Vote for me, because I know I have the confidence and determination to make change happen. Vote for me, to help young Lewisham stay compelled to achieve. Vote for me Larni Phoenix.
Lily Rice
My name is Lily Rice, I’m 16 years old and I currently attend Prendergast Hilly-fields College. I am running for Young Mayor because I’m very interested in being a part of something that benefits Lewisham’s youth to learn more about politics and to get more involved with it in any way they can. I would like to influence young voters to use their vote as their voice. I intend to do this by setting up schemes where older students who have specialised in subjects such as government and politics, history and sociology talk to and encourage younger students to take an active interest too. I also hope to be able to use the budget to support anything that young people in Lewisham are passionate about. So if you’re in a choir, a sports team, a dance group, a youth theatre or anything that you enjoy and do in Lewisham then I’d like to know about it. Because I know that we are not the people the media portray us to be. We are young, passionate, lively people with bright futures. So get on board and vote for Lily Rice. Remember, your vote, your voice.
Jacob Sakil
I’m not selling empty promises.
But I’m telling you: I’m here to make a difference.
As a young person, the reality is that people tend to promise us the world and in the end we get nothing. Like you, I have seen that happen time and time again.
If I get elected that’s going to stop!
I want to make our lives better but know that this presents a challenge for us all.
If elected Young Mayor, I want to challenge you to be more involved in the decisions that affect our lives.
The truth is it’s not about my views only but definitely yours.
If I become Young Mayor I want to be your microphone to say exactly how you feel.
There are a lot of events I want to see for young people: from talent shows to football tournaments with scouts to jobs because we all need some money in our pockets.
But the truth is that it is not only about the things I think will make our lives better, but about investing time in listening to you and being your voice.
I seen what we had,
I see what we have,
And if you vote for me, with your help I want to give you what we need.
Change.
Kieza Silveira De Sousa
My name is Kieza Silveira De Sousa. I’m 16 years old and I live in Lewisham. First things first, I want to make it clear that I will make no false promises to you! I won’t ‘provide more youth clubs’ or ‘create more places to go’ simply because I CAN’T. For two reasons: 1, youth clubs already exist, 2, those things can’t be done on a thirty grand budget! I do promise you that I will try my hardest to reach my realistic goals as the young mayor. I will try to provide bike cabins/lockers to reduce bike thefts, give support to young disabled people, improve youth club facilities and other positive things. I can’t do this alone; I need YOU to vote for ME and help me to carry out these positive ideas and yours too. So join the facebook group, search for Kieza and vote for Kieza!