NEWS ALERT: London youth magazine reveals what young people are really thinking about

NEWS ALERT

Wednesday, 10 October

Victoria Silver,  07866 757 389

This Friday, 12 October, online magazine FV1 written for and by young people aged 16-25 will include articles highlighting topical issues that affect young people in London – including interviews with writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah about how dyslexia affects education and job opportunities, and Tottenham MP David Lammy about absent fathers and the impacts of growing up without a dad.

FV1 magazine, published by London youth charity, Futureversity, provides a stimulating summer course for 16-25 year olds to brainstorm ideas, write articles and get their work published helping to lead to jobs in the media industry.

Futureversity says its programmes raise aspirations, reduce youth crime and get unemployed young people into work.  Former FV1 magazine students have gone on to study journalism at university and work for magazines, including The Voice.

Full articles and comment from interviewees and young journalists available on request.  Contact FV1 Editor Liz Millar on 07730 521989.

Summary of interviews and content:

1.    Benjamin Zephaniah by Bayer Hassan, 20

Dyslexic not dumb

2.    Survival of the fittest by Francesca Kamara, 21

How to shine in a group interview.  Tried and tested tips on how to get that job

3.    Papa was a rolling stone by Daniel Zsigmond, 22

What’s the real impact of growing up without a dad? FV1 asks MP David Lammy why he’s campaigning for absent fathers to step up

4.    Does my bum look big in this? by Motunrayo Oyetunji, 18

What lies behind the fashion for some women to go to dramatic extremes for a curvy bum?

5.    Who are you calling medal machines? by Jiaqi Song, 24

Did China really deserve the insults it received during the Olympics?

Notes to editors 

1.) Futureversity delivers award-winning free courses and activities for 11-25 year olds to help them develop the skills and self-belief they need to make the most of their lives. Piloted as a crime prevention initiative in Tower Hamlets in 1995 (as Summer University), today the charity delivers learning opportunities to thousands of young people in partnership with businesses, industry professionals and local government. Futureversity patrons include two of its former students, music artist Dizzee Rascal and co-founder MP Rushanara Ali, and also film director Danny Boyle and Baroness Oona King.

2.) Last May (2012) Futureversity conducted a survey, Closed Doors, with young people representing the views of over 1,000 young people (aged 16-25) from across London. Young people said schools are not giving them confidence or skills to succeed. The majority (60%) said they felt doors are closed when looking for jobs. 53% said that they cannot afford to go to university, and many (63%) said that they will not achieve their career ambitions.