Labour's new cabinet member to challenge stereotypes surrounding young people

Florence meets local school children

Labour's new deputy cabinet member for children and young people is no stranger to the issues facing young people in the area, with her meteoric rise having begun in the borough's primary and secondary schools.

Cllr Florence Nosegbe, who took up her appointment last week, is looking forward to working with Lambeth's up and coming younger generation and challenging the negative labels that can sometimes be associated with young people.

Florence, 26, who studied at St Helen's Primary School and Bishop Thomas Grant Secondary School, both in Lambeth, said: "I'm a Brixtonian - I grew up on one of the borough's council estates and went to school here. I'm trying to shift the labels and stereotypes that can be attached to young people. Lambeth sometimes gets a bad press but there are excellent local schools where the pupils achieve fantastic grades. I'm proud of Brixton and particularly the young people here. My aim is to put the area on the map for all the right reasons - I hope I can be a positive role model."

In particular Florence will be responsible for the successful election of Lambeth's first ever Youth Mayor later this year. This will help the borough's young people decide how to spend some of the extra investment which the council has so far earmarked for youth services. Tackling teenage pregnancy, and a programme focussing on the five to 13 age group, will also be on her list of priorities.

Bill O'Doherty, headteacher at St Helen's Primary school, where Florence studied in 1989, said: "We're very proud of Florence - I taught Florence music during her time here and she was an excellent pupil. We're delighted to see a past pupil with such a strong vision and sense of purpose."

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