Cllr Angela Graham pledges to make a difference to the lives of young people
Councillor Angela Graham officially became Mayor of Wandsworth on Thursday 16th May at a mayor-making ceremony in the town hall. She has pledged to spend her year in the role doing as much as possible to make a difference to the lives of young people.
Councillor Graham, who is the chairman of the Wandsworth Young Person of the Year and Junior Citizens schemes, said she would be doing her best to engage with the borough’s younger residents over the next 12 months – taking to Twitter and other social networks to better communicate with them.
She said: “Young people often get a bad press, but Wandsworth has some of the brightest, hardest-working, most creative youngsters in London, who are just looking for their opportunity to shine. Perhaps Wandsworth is home to the next Gordon Ramsay or Nigella Lawson? Well, I want to explore how we can encourage young people to learn how to cook good, healthy food, and help develop the next generation of chefs.
“Or, maybe a budding Lord Sugar is busy dreaming up new business ideas in a bedroom somewhere in Wandsworth. I’d like to set up an Apprentice-style competition to get them started.”
Cllr Graham acknowledged the good work already being carried out by the council to support young people and help them find jobs, training and apprenticeships.
She highlighted the Nine Elms Opportunity Area as being a base from which the council is busy creating local networks and establishing links with employers.
Cllr Graham, a councillor for Earlsfield, added: “I am proud that here in Wandsworth we speak the language of aspiration, of ambition and achievement. And we don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk. I want to do what I can to inspire young people, and show them what’s possible.”
Last week’s mayor-making ceremony also saw Southfields ward councillor, Kim Caddy, named deputy mayor.
May 21, 2013