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6www.islington.gov.uk SAFER islington Making a clean break When Vanessa hit out on the football pitch, she found herself in hot water. But being made to work as part of a Community Payback programme turned out to be an opportunity that changed her life. Vanessa has always been a passionate footballer, but one day that passion turned nasty when she became involved in a fight on the pitch with another player. She was arrested, charged and found guilty of actual bodily harm. She was given a 12-month suspended sentence, had to pay her victim £500 compensation and was given 200 hours’ unpaid work as part of the Community Payback programme. She explains: “I’m a painter and decorator by trade, but I’d been out of work since 2004 as I had a bit of a breakdown after a family bereavement. I’d just been sorting myself out when this happened. I went from the top of the ladder back to the bottom.” Community Payback is a national scheme where low-risk offenders do work such as painting, cleaning or clearing rubbish in their local communities. Although this serves as a punishment, it’s a great opportunity to rehabilitate offenders and get them to give something back to the community. And for Vanessa, being made to work for Community Payback was a real turning point. “I started doing my payback hours, and my supervisor put me forward for a work experience scheme at Islington Council. So you’re still working your community payback hours, but you’re doing it as unpaid work experience. I had to go for an interview and got a job working with Street Environment Services. They go out and clean up chewing gum, dog mess, graffiti, that kind of thing. And even though I’ve now finished my hours, I’m still working with the Area Response team as a volunteer two days a week. “This programme has really helped me and I feel like I’m on my way up again. It’s opened my eyes to the environment too, so now if I saw someone doing graffiti I would report it, or I would say something to them – after all, it’s going to be me or my team that are going to have to clean it up after them. “I regret what I did that day and I wish I’d just walked away, but I have gained something from it. I really enjoy working Talented scout Congratulations to 12-year-old Rachel McHugh, a member of the 26th Islington Scout Group, whose winning design was chosen from over 300 entries in this year’s firework safety poster design competition. Youngsters from eight schools and two scout groups entered and there were many fantastic designs, making the judges’ decision a hard one. with my team – they made me feel very welcome and never looked down on me. The work experience has really improved my confidence and self esteem, which really helps as I am looking for paid work now. I never thought I would be good enough to do a job like this, but now I get all excited about going into work, even though I’m only volunteering – it’s a day’s work in my eyes. The programme has changed me – not only am I more confident, I’m also alert to situations where there might be trouble, and I can walk away now. I have learned my lesson. I’m really lucky that something good came out of something so bad.” Islington Council is always looking for future projects for the Community Payback programme – it could be anything from community gardening or cleaning up a playground. If you know of any work that needs doing in your local area, please contact janice.grant@ islington.gov.uk or 020 7527 7555. Islington has a new London Fire Brigade Borough Commander. Rhys Powell has worked in the fire service for 24 years, starting his career as a firefighter and working his way through the ranks, attending many major incidents including the 7/7 bombings and the recent large fire at University College Hospital. His advice to IslingtonNow readers as he starts in his role is this: “All Islington residents should ensure Borrow instead of buy Vanessa turned her life around, thanks to the Community Payback scheme Rhys takes charge Are you a member of your local library? If not, then join today. Libraries are a great way to enjoy the latest blockbusters, cookery books, gardening tips and children’s stories – without spending a penny. Many libraries also have DVDs to rent at competitive prices. Visit your local library or set up a ‘book exchange’ with friends. their homes have working smoke alarms and that they know how they would escape from their home if a fire starts – two simple tips that could save a life.” Rhys Powell gives his advice to IslingtonNow readers
YOUNG islington IslingtonNow November 2009 7 Children in need Little boys, we’re told, are made of frogs, snails and puppy dog tails. But little boys Murrey, Tyronne and Nicolas* – in foster care through Islington Council – are made of laughs, love and affection. The adorable young trio are among the many children in need of adoptive parents in London. But the odds are against them. There are not enough black minority ethnic families coming forward to adopt and national adoption figures show that black children, especially boys, often face the longest wait for a family. “It’s really important that these children are brought up in families that reflect their own heritage,” says Islington Council social worker Veronica Jolley. “This helps them develop an accurate sense of identity and feel positive about themselves.” Between them, Murrey, Tyronne and Nicolas have been waiting more than three years for the right family. While in care, each has made significant developments, but they need the stability of a permanent and loving family. Trish, who has cared for 19-month-old Murrey for more than a year, says he displays a lovable balance of affection and cheekiness. “He’s so easy to care for. When he smiles, his eyes light up and he has a temperament to match.” Tyronne, 2, has been living with foster carer Nebyat since he was just one week old. Nebyat tells us: “Tyronne’s crazy about football and he loves dancing. I hope he finds the kind of loving family he deserves.” Patrice has been caring for Nicolas for almost one year and describes the 20-month-old as “an independent little man”. She adds: “He feeds himself, does his best to put on his own clothes and he’s very good at bed time. I would just love him to have a family that can support him.” Islington Adoption Service is committed to connecting these boys with the right families. The service welcomes enquiries from people of all backgrounds, cultures and religions and offers support before, during and after the adoption process. If you think you can make a difference to a young life and want to find out more about Murrey, Tyronne and Nicolas or any of the children who need a new family, contact Islington Adoption Service free on 0800 0733344 or email adoption@islington.gov.uk * Not their real names. Multi-million-selling musician Yusuf hit the right note when he opened Islington’s newlook £2m Hugh Myddelton Primary School. The musician was a student at the old Hugh Middleton School in Bowling Green Lane in the Tyronne* is one of the boys needing a home Yusuf opens new school early 1960s when he was unknown teenager Steven Georgiou. Taking on the stage name Cat Stevens, he shot to fame as a pop star in the 1970s, adopting the name Yusuf Yusuf cuts the ribbon to officially unveil the Hugh Myddelton Primary School improvements and shows he can still entertain a crowd Islam after converting to Islam in 1977. Now 61 and known simply as Yusuf, he was back in Islington to open the school’s new library and hall, and meet lots of fans both young and old – including one of his old teachers. He told a story to a hushed special assembly, was quizzed by the school council and listened to pupils perform Morning Has Broken, the hymn he turned into a hit. Yusuf, whose favourite lesson at school was art, said of the new school: “It’s brilliant – very light, airy, open. There are lots of colours and the kids love it.” Yusuf, who recorded songs like Wild World and The First Cut Is The Deepest back in the 1970s, has just announced his first tour for 33 years. Asked if he was nervous about returning to the stage, he joked “not more nervous than standing in front of a crowd of kids giving a talk!” Some of Yusuf’s old school friends from the 1960s were specially invited along to meet up with their old classmate. Among them was Janet Darling, from Whitecross Street, who remembered: “He was a very quiet boy – shy, handsome – everybody loved him. “I always remember him for his green corduroy jacket and art case. It was lovely to be reunited like this.”
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