In the House of Commons this evening, David Lammy MP and the Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, will play host to a private reception marking the launch of the 2008 Woodson Barrow Role Model Luncheon. The Woodson Barrow Role Model Luncheon aims to encourage young people to strive to be the best they can be.
This important and much needed project comes amid escalating fears over the extent of violence and youth apathy in Britain's inner-cities.
David Lammy commented, “I am delighted to host this reception because young people in constituencies like mine need more events like this. We know that the vast majority of the youth in our inner cities are interested in furthering themselves and achieving their potential, so it is imperative we show them that perhaps more people from backgrounds like theirs are already doing well in a positive way. When I addressed the Woodson Barrow Luncheon last year, it was clear to me that it meant a lot to the young people present to be surrounded by adults from various professions who each had an encouraging word for them.”
These days, it is hard to miss the constant stories in the news about feral youths roaming in gangs; disaffected young people with no thought or care for their future and not enough people in their lives to look up to. There has been an increase in binge drinking, drug misuse and anti-social behaviour. The sixteen teenage deaths by knife crime this year alone and the lack of visible positive role models for these youths to aspire to are signs of how precarious the situation has become. Has there ever been a greater need for positive role models?
The release of two major reports in 2007 highlighted the need for more visible role models in the lives of young people. The 2006/7 House of Commons Affairs Committee - Young Black People and The Criminal Justice System – cited, “Deprivation and underachievement mean that young people lack positive role models to which to aspire.”
The need for role models was highlighted again in the 2007 REACH report which stated, “The Government should introduce a structured national role model programme to raise the aspirations of young Black men”.
Role models alone cannot tackle the rising problems we have with our youth, which is why the Woodson Barrow Luncheon and its programme of activities aim to tackle this problem head on, through a three-pronged approach. Our approach encompasses engaging young people with positive role models, creating positive activities for parents to engage with their children and a strident call for collective action from the community and businesses to engage and work together for real change.
Ken Barnes, known as ‘The Hope Dealer’ says, “Young people at times make decisions about their behaviour and adulthood based on interactions with their peers and media images, which are invariably negative. Exposure to positive role models can instil young people with a greater sense of pride, belief and hope for the future.”
He adds: “There is a storm that cannot be seen by the naked eye which is heading our children’s way, one that leaves ignorance, delinquency, drugs and violence and no hope for the future as its calling card. The warning signals have been sounded, let’s heed them. Let us start to erect the barriers and empower ourselves and our young people to withstand its flow.”
The Woodson Barrow Luncheon
The Woodson Barrow Luncheon which is named after Dame Jocelyn Barrow OBE and Carter G. Woodson, will take place on Saturday October 18th 2008, at the five-star London Marriott Hotel, Canary Wharf, West India Quay, E14 4ED.
The Woodson Barrow Luncheon is open to boys and girls aged between 14 and 19. It will truly be a moving event, which will encompass a tasty three-course meal, great entertainment and motivational speeches. All in attendance will be sure to leave inspired and motivated to achieve their full potential in life.
Please click here to read more about David's involvement with the Woodson Barrow Luncheon.
