young person’s newspaper

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Alice Harry – Managing Editor

Sandie Johns – Project Manager

Matt Dixon – Sub-Editor

Amanda Poulding – Creative Flare Co-ordinator

Peter Roberts – Public Relations Co-ordinator

Steve Drewett – Journalist

Jessica Hodgeson - Logo Designer

Dani Godden – Graphic Designer

Young Person’s Newspaper is a publication that aims to inform and inspire the young people of today through producing a web based magazine that supports them through the journey of facing life’s hurdles. It will address real life issues and struggles that both, I and other young people have experienced throughout the turbulent times of growing up to be a young adult. The magazine will be targeted at young people that are aged between 16 and 20 years old, as I believe that I can produce an honest and valuable view on many relevant issues.

4 Interview with Alice Harry

8Interview: Kernow King

1210 Feature: Southwest Investment Group

Profile: Max Surridge

15Feature: Stress18Feature: Education Policy

20Travel: Ultimately Oz

22 What’s On?

Contents...

young person’s newspaper“To inspire and innovate the flourishing young people

of today within the South-West.”

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Bright, enthusiastic and ambitious.These are just a few of the qualities of young Cornish businesswoman Alice Harry, who is set to become a leading voice in confronting those issues affecting young people in the South West today with the launch of online magazine: YOUNG PERSON’S NEWSPAPER.

From waitress to young entrepreneur; Alice has remarkable tenacity and flare for success. She has already won Deliotte Student of the Year 2015 and recently appeared on Cornwall’s Pirate FM to talk about her latest ventures. To kick start this sparkling first edition we catch up with Alice to talk about her passions in tackling youth problems, her latest business enterprise and what the future holds for this rising star.

Hi Alice. Tell us about the launch of this exciting new Magazine.

It’s an online magazine which targets people between the ages of 16-22 and it’s going to address vital issues that young people go through that they necessarily don’t get taught in school or college. It will feature articles which talk about

Alice Harry

Interview:

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issues affecting teenagers and above all it avoids tabloid influence. There is no celebrity focus, unless it is in a positive way.

Is that your main inspiration behind the project?

Yeah. I just realised there wasn’t a lot of support for me when I was growing up and dealing with those hurdles and I want other young people to be able to feel supported in their student life because it can be de-motivating. It’s quite evident to the people I talk to that there really isn’t much support and materials available for young people.

So, you said it was going to be published online, what are the main advantages and disadvantages?

I think the main advantage of having it online obviously would have to be many young people are technologically driven and in my experience, not many people my age would read newspapers. More importantly, having the magazine online makes it more accessible, so readers can have it on their mobile or IPad. You know everyone

walks around with their mobile phone these days. I think maybe the only disadvantage of the magazine would have to be there wouldn’t be a hard copy and people can’t keep it.Maybe that’s something for the future and developing the product such as putting it online and also printing some versions as well. Lastly I would say putting this product online is also very cost effective.

Has your background influenced this project and the type of businesswoman you want to become?

Yeah, definitely. I currently work part time as well as going to college. I have always worked since I was fifteen.

A strong work ethic?

Yeah. I get bored when I’m not working. It’s been a very influential upbringing because I always see my parents going out to work long hours and they have been successful in what they have done. I kind of just want a little bit of that really and I have always had a positive motivation from my family to do stuff.

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What other ways will your magazine benefit young people?

One of the other objectives of the project is to showcase young people’s talent. Sounds interesting, can you explain that?

Yeah. Because many young people lack experience and that is what I’m trying to develop. For example, I’m using young students like myself to develop the project’s logo, student graphic designers, photography and obviously journalists! All these people don’t necessarily have the experience.

Would you say it has a mutual benefit?

Definitely! This project has the ability to give people a platform and that is the main objective for me and for people our age to demonstrate their talent. Obviously some articles won’t always be written by students but all the subjects will be relatable and orientated towards young people.

So what would a successful first year look like to you?

I think it would probably include having some really good feedback from consumers of the magazine and hopefully realising up to three or four issues, but six would be better. I think building up loyalty is important and getting people to read every issue that is out.

Where do you see yourself in five, ten years’ time?

Hopefully in five years I would have completed university.

What are you studying?

Accounting and finance in Bristol. But I hope the project is still running and hopefully in ten years it would have expanded and become more productive and positively profitable. The main thing I want to do is focus on my career.

Sounds great! So what is your main career?After university my main career is working with Deliotte and through the graduate scheme, as I enjoy financial auditing.

And finally, what would you say to any young person wanting to start their own business or project?I would say it’s achievable. It really is. Most people are put off by it. But there is more support out there then any young person may realise. I suppose you just don’t get if you don’t ask, or if you don’t have the motivation to go do something.

Any words of wisdom?My advice would be to just get out and go do something. If you have an idea about a business or a service that you want to do, then there is actually nothing stopping you because you’re at the age where failure doesn’t necessarily really matter. The only thing you can do is fail and thinking above that is better.

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Interview:Profile: Name: Edward Rowe, AKA Kernow King Location: Cornwall Job Role: Comedian Interesting Fact about Yourself: I had “Ker-now” tattooed on my arse when I was 18.

In short, could you please tell us a bit about yourself?

Father, comedian, surfer, reader, writer, tennis player, snorkeller.

What was it like growing up in Cornwall for you? It was amazing and at the time, I knew it was

amazing. I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by great family in Roche and Bodmin, and as a family of

surfers, we’d head off to Watergate after school most days to get in for a surf. I was at my happiest riding my bike around Roche with my brother being fed by our grandparents and then just having fun with friends in the village.

What would your advice be to young people growing up in Cornwall?

Enjoy and explore. There are so many little secret corners in the Duchy that are so beautiful. There are awesome towns with great restaurants and pubs, and some fantastic festivals like Port Eliot and Boardmasters. I’d also think about your future and keep your mind open to working for yourself and setting up your own business.

Through your job and comedy activities, what are your objectives?

My comedic activities is my job, so my monthly objective is to pay the bills. At this precise moment, I’m feeling very jet lagged after a trip to Australia for a couple of shows and a big objective for me tonight is to stay awake past 8pm.

Kernow King

What current projects are you working on or involved with? My projects are mostly gearing up for gigs and festivals, but I am working with the National Trust on a big beach rugby tournament with a twist…!What are your views and opinions on the recent election and new government?

I was surprised that Cornwall lost all of our lib dem MP’s. But in hindsight, the Tory candidates fought a very good campaign. They had plenty of cash behind them, campaigned for a couple years and made it almost look like they were the local face of politics before the elections. Cornwall is the poorest region in Europe and I worry that we’re just a play thing. Although I didn’t vote Conservative and traditionally the Tories aren’t that popular in Cornwall, it will be interesting to see if the MP’s can put Cornwall before their party and make the changes we need for a brighter Cornwall.

I think a little bit of liberal in the government probably ensured that some fairly brutal decisions were shelved when the Lib Dems and Tories shared

power. Without the liberals, it will be interesting to see how more austerity measures effects Cornwall. To be honest, if you’re in a secure job and doing well on the ££££ front, you’ll probably be OK. But if you’re not, life is probably gonna get a whole lot tougher (which does make me laugh when you consider how poor parts of Cornwall are and how many voted Conservative). But, I guess we’ll see.

What’s the future for Kernow King?

I have no idea. I have achieved so many goals that I wanted to achieve (Glastonbury last year and this year, gigs abroad, many festival performances) that I feel like I’m at a bit of a crossroad.

Kernow King

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South West Investment Group (SWIG Finance) is a not-for-profit company that has been providing financial support to small and medium sized businesses across the South West for 25 years.

YPN editor Alice Harry talked to Katie Sandow, from their marketing and communication team, to find out how young people can set up their own business.

Katie’s message was clear: “Young individuals should make the most of the time they have in education because this offers great opportunity to build up portfolios.”

Businesses are not always able to get the support they need from their bank to start or grow for a number of reasons. It might be due to a lack of trading history, a lack of security or poor credit history, which makes them high risk lending.

SWIG Finance is specifically designed to plug that gap. The company does not compete with banks, but works with them to provide clients with the money they need for the success of their business.

With finance sourced from both the public sector, via local authorities, European funds, central government and the private sector, SWIG invests

loan finance into South West businesses which are either just starting up, or seeking to grow and need funds to get things moving.

One aspect of their role is to provide Start-Up loans. It offers a repayable loan to individuals over the age of 18 who have a viable business idea but no access to finance.

South West Investment Group

As well as financial help, all loan recipients are given access to a mentor, free training events and exclusive business offers for new companies trading up to two years.

Katie added: “Young people are far more qualified in the modern world and start-up loans within the creative industry work very well for them.”

SWIG’s website contains an array of articles highlighting the transition from hobby to start-up business. One man’s passion for foraging and scientific experimentation led him to start making mead and he is now in his second year of brewing, having won £10,000 in start-up funding.

Another former student launched her own women’s clothing business called Flare, specifically designed for the sport of cycling.

Since 1996, SWIG has delivered £14.5m in loan finance to over 1,250 SMEs and business start-ups throughout the region.

For more information on how to apply for funding, visit www.swigfinance.co.uk or call their Truro office on 01872 223883.

South West Investment Group

Photo credits: Katie Sandow & Mark Thayre

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Prof

ile:

1. Tell me about you as a person so we can have an overview of yourself (a biography).

From an early age I have always been very sociable. I would rarely get shy talking to adults and kids that were older than myself, which I guess meant that I grew up quite quickly. I have two very creative parents, both of which are professional artists. Although I can’t say that I am an artistic person, I definitely inherited creativity and a drive to

pursue a career that I enjoyed, over a career that would pay for the bills! I was a needy kid, (that hasn’t changed much now if I’m honest!) I always craved company and being around interesting people. I currently live in a large, student-like house in London with 6 other people and I wouldn’t have it any other way! There’s always someone wanting to do something anytime of the week! I really enjoyed media at school and this is where I developed a real interest into producing my own work (filming, designing magazine front covers etc). I later discovered that for me it was the social side of the business that I felt played to my strengths!

2. From what age did you know what specific career path that you wanted to pursue?

I think for me it was around 15, in my last year at secondary school. This is where I discovered my passion for producing media of all types. This is also when I did my first career based working experience

Name: Max SurridgeAge: 21From: CornwallLocation: LondonInterests: A great lover of all things on a screen! Current Employment: Freelance Runner TV/ Film

for a special effects company in London, called Framestore. They do special effects for adverts as well as massive films like War Horse and The Avengers. The experience left me even more driven to pursue this career in some way, It was such an exciting place to be immersed in!

3. What did you have to do to get to where you’re now? (Eg, Training, University, Work Experience…)

I only did one year at University, it wasn’t for me! I wanted to move away, work and find something I enjoyed in the world of media and film. It’s not an easy industry to get into though, the hardest part is getting your foot in the door, it’s quite a closed circuit, especially in film. You usually have to know someone; a family friend or friend of a friend. It’s definitely not impossible to do it without though, you just have to find a way to stand out, either with your CV, or being a bit more radical. I know a guy that sent his CV into a company on a

puzzle. He didn’t have much previous experience, but the idea was so creative that he got the job! Once you’re in though it’s down to you. I have swapped between Post-production (editing) and Production, this is fine as some skills you pick up are helpful for both, but you still have to have a plan and a focus with the field you are working in. This way you get noticed more.

I worked in post for 18 months and I knew after a while that it wasn’t for me, however it still opened many doors and I got to meet some amazing people. The company I was working for were editing The Voice and I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time talking to and learning from the editors, producers and execs. Consequently this got me my first job in production as a runner on The Voice UK.

4. What is it like working at the BBC Voice UK?

The Voice was an amazing experience, I learnt so much and it was incredible to be involved from the start to the finish; from the audition tour all the way to the live Final! I got to do a variety of jobs, on the audition tour (Pre TV stage) I learnt how to use professional cameras, which we operated to film each audition. I also got to help film the backstories for some of the contestants, including the winner Stevie McCrorie, at a fire station in

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Scotland! I was also lucky enough to look after talent, personally assisting both Ricky Wilson and Rita Ora for the duration of the series.

5. What advice would you give others to achieve success within their careers?

I think positivity is key! It’s also important to show drive and determination to grow within your chosen career. What’s the next step? Does the company you work for supply training to help you achieve promotion and climb the ladder? I think all companies like ambition, but it is hard finding the right balance between being keen and over-enthusiastic. Just be yourself, but never let anyone see you moan or be negative at work, keep that for when you get home.

6. What is next for you? Where do you see yourself in 3 to 5 years’ time?

I’m currently working for an exciting new Channel Four series with the

same company that made Bear Grylls – The Island. When you’re freelance in TV, you constantly have to think about the next job, often contracts are only a month or two long, but for me that’s exciting! Job searching can often be a bit like waiting for a bus, you’ll wait for ages and then suddenly two will come along at once! Eventually I would love to be a producer, that’s quite ambitious for 5 years, but fingers crossed!

7. What advice would you give to young people who want to embark within your industry?

I think I’ve summed it up previously, but it’s important to be passionate about working in the media industry, and if you don’t like the area you’re in, move on. I didn’t enjoy working in Post so I swapped to production and now I’m loving every minute! It’s definitely not

essential to go to University – even if you’ve completed a degree you will still work your way up from the very bottom. That doesn’t mean it’s a waste of time, you can learn key skills that you may not be able to do once you have job. Learning how to operate a camera, using editing software, life and social skills and you may also make some key connections that could get you your first step in the door!

A new session of parliament underway and possibly the most controversial Queen’s Speech in decades YPN has been finding out what the first Conservative government since 1993 will affect young people and education today with perhaps the most interesting election campaign of the last 50 years 2015 will often be spoken as a turning point for merrie olde England.

But to understand government policies you must appreciate how our complex system and how decisions are made. When politics is mentioned young people often do two things. Either you are about to click off this page because you are already trying to hold your eyes open with match sticks because of chronic boredom. Or you are an eager political mastermind who is

set to be the next political genius of the century.

But whatever you’re interested or not it is important as citizens to know the basics so we can make informed choices when the time comes to have your say to put an ‘X’ in the box.

In many ways explaining the British Parliament is simple. There is just one elected chamber, the House of Commons which consists of Members of Parliament or MP’s which are voted by the people. There are 650 seats in the Commons and each seat represents 650 constituencies which divide up the United Kingdom.

The Upper Chamber, The House of Lords consists of hereditary aristocrats, life peers and a small selection of Bishops from the

Church of England. This House is not directly elected by the people and therefore nothing to vote for here.

After polling stations close on Election Day the votes are counted throughout the night and the party with the majority of those seats is able to form a government and its leader becomes the Prime Minister for the next five years.

But it’s not quite so simple...

Due to Britain’s complex relationship between the Crown and parliament the new leader must visit the Queen at Buckingham Palace and ask if they can form a government, the Queen by modern convention accepts the will of the people and agrees although the monarch in theory has no obligation to do so.

Education, Education, Education: A brief explanation on British politics and 2015 education policy.

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The new government is then officially opened by the Queen during the State Opening of Parliament where both Houses listen to a speech read by the monarch but written by the government and listen to the new political programme for the coming year.

So what does this new government mean to us students?

David Cameron maybe smiling as he strolls back into Number Ten but many students and teachers have been left with a bitter pill to swallow as the Conservatives continued assault on education with spending moving from traditional academic courses towards a greater emphasis on vocational qualifications combined with further cuts to the education sector.

Mr Cameron has said these new policies are about equipping people with the skills they need to get on in life and creating jobs to strengthen our economy but how will he do

this if funding for education is being squeezed ever tighter?

The government wants to create 2.2 million new Apprenticeships and combine degree level qualifications with on-the-job training with employers playing a greater role to make sure you are getting the skills they want.

And it looks like you won’t have to pay a penny with the costs of these new style apprenticeships being split between both employers and government meaning you can earn money without the fees.

The great news is they will be available to people of all ages and even to young people who are currently apprentices and want to move on to a degree level qualification without the bother of university.

In 2017 the Conservatives want to change the way apprenticeships in Britain is run with a brand new set of standards which make sure

you’ll be getting quality job-based learning and will include features such as

• All courses now last at least 12 months with a 20% ‘off job’ training

• All apprentices will be independently assessed.

• Easy to read student documents setting out course requirements.

Universities are also being encouraged to offer more 2 year courses which would allow students to fast track through training and gain the skills necessary without having to study for a third year.

And in response to an ever digitalised world with access to information the government will introduce ‘performance measures’ so students can see how colleges and universities manage both resources and finances and how successful students have been in

the labour market since completing their course.

But it isn’t all good news!Like a one armed bandit, what is given with one hand the Tories are planning to take with the other with continued spending cuts for Universities and Higher Education.

Although the new government is abolishing the cap on university places potentially allowing more people to go to university there has been no talk of reducing tuition fees.

Those blasted Tories seem to think we all come from families that can support us students financially while studying. As if life for poorer students isn’t already hard enough trying to put together enough coppers to make ends meet without having to worry about the prospect of repaying debts once they earn over £21,000.

The bottom line is this. The cost of studying and going to university is getting harder as more doors to

funding slammed in people’s faces and makes it difficult for those from poorer backgrounds to study a degree. Higher Education is now more restricted to the privileged few as the government shifts its focus towards apprenticeships which although poorly paid do produce highly skilled trainees.

But there is a bright side. The government’s new emphasis on raising standards of high level vocational courses helps to view both University and Apprenticeships as ‘different but equal’ according to Conservative MP and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Education.

Therefore it shouldn’t matter if your friends are going to uni but you decided not too because there are other ways to success if you don’t fancy all those late nights struggling to write that five thousand word essay while having hung-over regrets of the night before!

Illustration by Jacob Cartwright

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StressWho needs it?

Stress comes in many forms. For many young people there are many pressures which can cause us to feel unable to cope. Here we will discuss what stress looks like and how to look after both ourselves and our loved ones so you can identify when people are under pressure and perhaps even when it is time to get some help.

From time to time everyone feels stressed when life’s demands become too much and there is no doubt that being a young person today can be hard whether school or college work is piling up or looming exams are making you anxious. Or maybe you or a friend is being bullied, or there are problems at home? It is important to know how to manage these feelings.

Effects on the body: • Feeling tired

• Having difficulty sleeping

• Poor appetite

• Stomach aches

• Headaches

• Neck and shoulder tension

Effects on your feelings: • Feeling sad

• Feeling irritable and losing your temper easily

• Finding it hard to concentrate at school/college

So what can you do to help cope when things get tough:

• Perhaps MOST importantly is talk to someone! Don’t suffer in silence as feeling alone makes stress harder to deal with

• Make a list of all the stressful situations in your life and one by one think about how to tackle each situation. Breaking things down into ‘bite-size’ chunks can things feel easier to confront and overcome.

• Take a break! Life isn’t all about working hard! Do something you really enjoy can make you feel more relaxed.

• Exercise. You don’t have to be at the gym every day but even some meditation or a nice walk can make you feel a million dollars. Working out produces chemicals called endorphins, which are the feel good hormone.

When to get help?It is important to get help if you or a friend or even a loved one starts feeling trapped and in an endless cycle of stress and worry, which makes them feel like there is no solution to their problems and are suffering from the following.

• You feel that stress is affecting your health

• You feel desperate that you want to run away, stop your studies or feel like harming yourself

• You are experiencing feelings of sadness and feel like life isn’t worth living.

• You have difficulty sleeping

• You don’t feel your worries and thoughts are worth talking about

because you feel people will think you are weird.

• You start hearing voices telling you what to do or making you behave strangely.

• You are using drugs and alcohol to help cope with the situations.

Who can help? There are a number of people who can help you if you start feeling any of the above but it is important to get help quickly to avoid the situation from getting worse. Talk to someone you can trust and help you, such as:

• A close friend

• Parents or family member or family friend

• School nurse, teacher or school councillor

• Social worker

You don’t have to talk to someone in person

and sometimes it may be easier to express your worries over the phone or even writing it all down for someone to read if you can express yourself by talking. No matter how you communicate your problems they are all still valid.

Further info:

ChildLine: 0800 1111

Talk to Frank: free confidential advice on drugs 0800776600

Photo credits: Kat Davidson & Matthew Pote

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I have always wanted to go travelling and this year I decided to make my dream a reality. On the 2nd February 2015 I boarded a plane from London Heathrow to Sydney, Australia.

I had booked on to a one-week Sydney introduction tour with a company called Ultimately Oz. I can’t recommend it enough! We consisted of a group of about 40 people, from all over the world. The week included setting up

an Australian bank account, sightseeing, talks about future travelling and job advice. During this week I met the people I am travelling with today.

Not only are they there for you in this first week, but throughout the rest of your travels too - perfect! After this week, a few of my new friends and I booked onto a five-day surf camp at 7 mile beach, a few hours out of Sydney. This was probably the best week of

the holiday, and would highly recommend it to anyone, even if you are the worst surfer in the world!

After this we went on a five-day ranch camp, which I enjoyed but definitely tested the patience of my fellow travellers. Stuck on a farm with no wifi or phone signal is not some people’s idea of a good week!

After this we headed back to Sydney and spent the week partying and staying in hostels. Then the realisation hit that we had run out of money.

This was the worst part of the trip for me as all I did is panic about how many more days I could afford to stay for and was frantic about finding a job (which is far more difficult than anyone thinks)!

But luckily just in the nick of time we found bar work to tie us over, and got a flat in Bondi as renting is cheaper than staying in hostels. We stayed here for three months, saving our money for our next adventure.

Next we decided to head to Bali for a birthday treat - what a mission. We booked everything ourselves to try and save money, but looking back now I wished we a booked via a travel company.

Overall if I were to give anyone any advice it would be to do an introduction tour when you get to your first destination, be smart with your money, find a job sooner rather than later and always book trips via a travel company - the cheapest way is not always the best way!

Ultimately Oz!by Abi Rice

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What’s On?

Holifair Festival is an annual family-friendly fundraising celebration with over 30 live bands, talks, cabaret, barn dance, kids area with loads of great workshops, dance tent, chillout space, walkabout acts, firepit, theatre, storytelling, bar, craft and wellbeing area, plus local caterers and stalls set on the beautiful Holifield Farm Project in Gweek, at the head of the Helford Estuary.

For further information, please visit http://www.holifieldfarmproject.co.uk

Golowan Festival – Penzance 19th – 28th June 2015Newquay Surf 7’s – 7s Rugby Tournament – Newquay 27th – 28th June 2015Truro Carnival – 11th July 2015Geek Fest, Heartlands – 28th August 2015

If you’re a fan of sci-fi, comics, cult TV, gaming and paricularly cosplay then keep a watch out for this one! August bank holiday weekend 2015. Some brilliant partnerships already with Cornwall College - Creative Flair, Individual Events & Half Cut Cinema.

AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND

“Boardmasters Festival returns to Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay from 5th to the 9th August 2015, for a weekend filled with amazing music acts, surf and chilled vibes. Tickets are still available for purchase. Go to www.boardmasters.co.uk for ticket information.”

Summer Holiday Activities Loe Beach Watersports Centre Cornwall Zorbing Park – Newquay Stithians Lake Country Park – Nr Redruth

Music Ben Howard, Eden Sessions 17th July 2015 Boardmasters, Music Festival, Watergate Bay – 5th – 9th August 2015 Holifair Festival, annual family-friendly fundraising festival in order The Holifield Farm Project Day Care Centre – 7th – 9th August 2015

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