19 December 2008
One-to-One Interview ; A Young Person's Viewpoint

In August the NFTMO ran our first national ‘Young Leaders’ conference. The energy behind the event was NFTMO executive committee member Adeleke Adeyemi. He thinks TMOs need to give a higher priority to young people.

Adeleke interviewed Temitope Omotosho who is 19 years old and has lived in the Holland Rise estate in South London for over five years. In addition to being an NFTMO executive committee member Adeleke is also active in the Holland Rise and Whitebeam Close TMO.

AA     What is it like as a young person growing up on a TMO estate?

TO     Everybody complains, complains and complains that young people are playing around but there is never anything to do. Like no activities for young people, and you can’t even use the gardens as there is no play scheme.

AA     What do you think prevents young people from being involved on the estate?

TO     There was not one person to complain to. Nobody to approach with our ideas. The adults do not have a good relationship with young people. They see us as troublemakers.

AA     How would you like adults or the TMO to communicate with you on the estate?

TO     They should appoint a young person to be part of the estate committee. This person should get a say like the adult committee members. That way rather than just getting our views this person can challenge the board’s views. To put ideas into effect rather than going to the board with expectations that nothing will be done.

AA     What is your view about the media reports of knife crime by young people?

TO     My view is that there is too much in the media on knife crime. That is what young people are watching. The media need to change the mind frame of young people and promote the good things that we do. For example, I work very hard with other young people in media and have built up a positive network of social entrepreneurs to help not just myself but those around me. I am now in university and am building a media business that includes photography. I would like to see the media plug more youth projects on TV and encourage social enterprises by young people. They need to show more positive young people as role models and not just footballers and artists. They should give more limelight for young artists and those who win awards for their work in the community.

AA     Given that TMO residents will read the TMO Magazine across the country, what can TMOs do to support young people in their communities?

TO     TMOs should send in articles about positive things that young people are doing on their estates. The NFTMO should have a young-person-of-the-month article in every issue of the magazine and on its website.

AA     Is there a need for a national voice for young people living on TMO estates? If yes what should be the primary focus?

TO     I think there should be, because sometimes things don’t happen and a national group can help to encourage more to be done. Also if there is something good happening on one TMO estate then a national group could share that idea with other TMOs and give recognition to them.

AA     The NFTMO are considering new initiatives to help improve services for young people, and to get young people more involved in the community. What do you think the NFTMO should do?

TO     The NFTMO could try to sponsor a young person to do their own thing. The NFTMO needs to have a continuous awareness of what young people want. Also to put into action new projects that will encourage young people to get involved more and use their talents. Like hosting a national estate talent show for young people. This is what I am doing at the moment in university.

AA     Do you think adults in TMOs need to engage more with young people? If yes, how do you think they can do this?

TO     Young people should get recognition for what they are doing. Their estates should hold an award show that recognises what young people did.  Like the best choir, the best athlete on the estate. These are examples of what could be done.

AA     What was your highlight when you attended the NFTMO Young Leaders Conference back in August?

TO     The entertainment part of it was very good. I liked the media workshop. It was all fun. It was interesting to know what other young people are doing. The party was good and it was funny to see Lisa teaching us how to dance Salsa. Oh yeh I liked the barbecue but it did not have enough chilli. I like my chilli to be very hot!

AA     What should be the next step following the conference?

TO     We need to do another conference. From the feedback we gave the NFTMO should get TMOs to do more for young people, because we are not just the future, we are here now!

AA     How would you like to be involved in developing Young Leaders?

TO     I would like to train to become a young leader myself. So that I can help other young people become leaders. I can then share my ideas and be a role model to more young people. Hopefully the NFTMO will promote this.

AA     What percentage of people living on TMO estates are young people?

TO     About ten per cent? Actually, I think up to twenty per cent.

TO     So what will the NFTMO do to bridge the gap?

AA     I have been promoting the idea that the NFTMO should provide a national forum where young people can network, share and support each other in the call for better youth provision. We are encouraging TMOs everywhere to identify and work with young people willing to participate in community efforts, to take active roles on their estates and to voice their concerns and call for change. To have a sustainable TMO we need to start thinking about the roles of future TMO members that reflect the estate.

 Thanks Tope