Young people

Everyone has a story. For the past 30 years the Sylvanian Families Shop on Mountgrove Road has been the only independent specialist Sylvanian store. It’s a magical world of little furry families, popular with primary school children keen to spend their pocket money, or find a big gift, and has…
Everyone has a story. Former Islington Boat Club member, Gary Archer, talks about how his first experience paddling on the Regent’s Canal has led to a lifetime of paddle work and pleasure – a legacy he has already passed on to hundreds of kids. Interview by Nicola Baird. Note: Gary…
Everyone has a story. The Islington-based charity, the Ben Kinsella Trust in Clerkenwell, helps tackle knife crime with its flagship exhibition at Finsbury Library in St John’s Street – which re-opened in mid April 2022 after a refresh. CEO Patrick Green explains more about the ways this murdered 16-year-old’s legacy…
Everybody has a story. Islington Faces’ Youth Ambassador Netta Hakak, talks about her experiences as a Year 12 during lockdown & how difficult studying for exams has been. The current Year 11s and 13s in Islington (England) will sit exams 3 weeks later than usual, to allow them to “catch…
Everybody has a story. After a month of lockdown spent looking out of the flat window six-year-old Daisy asked her Mum, Vicky Lawson, how she could cheer people up. The answer was to decorate their nearest street tree. Soon everyone was joining in. Interview by Nicola Baird Over the phone…
Everyone has a story. Brandon Richards, 24, spent last winter at the Pilion Trust’s night shelter for young people which is based in Islington. Brandon was one of the first to join the Engage London project which is helping young adults in Islington develop media skills. Interview by City uni’s…
‘Boy’ at the Almeida is a ground-breaking show about what it feels like coming of age in austerity Britain. The play, written by Leo Butler, has a 27-strong cast of which 16 are making their stage debut, including an 18-year-old student from Islington, Duramaney Kamara. Interview by Nicola Baird Duramaney Kamara…
Michael & Sam Smith: dad and son at Parkrun Everyone has a story. Hackney’s Pressure Drop brewer Sam Smith and his oldest son, 10-year-old Michael, have just completed a running milestone – their 30th Parkrun round Highbury Fields. Parkrun is a British idea – regular free timed runs – which has spread around the world. So what’s motivating this dad and…
Everyone has a story. Islington has 48 councillors elected by the people of Islington. In addition Islington’s young people are represented by an elected youth council, who serve a two-year term in office. All the youth councillors are aged 13-17. The youth councillors elect amongst themselves the Young Mayor and…
Anna Harvey: N1 Centre administrator Everyone on Islington Faces Blog has a story.   Not so long ago Anna Harvey, 24, moved from Manchester to London. She has spent the past year at the N1 Centre (she’s the Centre Administrator). She’s the one who sorts out the big lawn in the summer and gets to invite Father…