Jonathan, 18
'My message to other young people is 'against all odds stay strong''
Brixton has always been home for Jonathan, who grew up and went to school in the area. He first went to Primary school in Stockwell, then to secondary School in Norwood and is now studying at college in Clapham.
Just over a year ago he stood as a candidate in Lambeth's Youth Mayor elections. Despite being pipped to the post by another candidate, as a result of running for Mayor he found out about the Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF), which is a panel of young people in Lambeth who allocate funding to youth projects. He was soon elected as Chair of the group, and continues to have a key role in supporting youth activities.
Young people have positive power in the community
He says, "I wanted to show that young people really do have power in the community. It's not an illusion - we've just got to reach out and take it. There is a path that's being laid out for us, and I wanted to walk down it."
"In the YOF, local young people send us bids for improvements in their area and we assess them to make sure they will really do what they say they will do. If the bid meets our criteria we put in funding. We've funded all sorts of things, like dance groups, football grounds, music studios, creative dance studios and homework clubs."
"I think these sorts of activities help young people feel less marginalised and less like they are being backed into a corner, and in that way we are part of the solution."
Talking about the Check the Label campaign, he says: "I think this campaign is a good idea because the way young people are portrayed in the media at the moment, you don't see many positive things - you do see when they commit crime but not when they get a good grade or help out a local church."
"The campaign shows that you can come from a certain area but that doesn't mean people can judge you - things aren't always how they seem on the outside. And my message to other young people is, 'against all odds, stay strong.'"
Jonathan is studying English language, media studies and politics at A-level. He says, "I'm not quite sure what I will do next but I think it will be something to do with the English language, which I love."
Read more inspirational stories from young people
- Michael - Professional footballer
- Dennis - Aspiring car mechanic
- Rebecca - Aspiring child care professional