Empowering youth improves health and wellbeing

Here at Ellar life, we're all about improving health and wellbeing and I believe that the way we start out in life, our environment and the opportunities that are available to us can have a real impact on our life course- education attainment, career prospects, finances and health outcomes. It can make the difference between being poor and being rich, and make an impact on achieving that dream of living out your rich life. In today's post, we'll be looking at one the ways young people are being empowered in London, UK.

I came across a LinkedIn post today, which made me stop and look again. It was a post by the award winning youth coach, film maker and campaigner, Amani Simpson. As a patron of Aviard Inspires CIC, Amani was promoting the third AMANI Project, a 6 month mentoring and employability programme is inspired by the personal transformation of the project patron, Amani. The post simply stated: "If you know any young Londoners aged 16-19, who are of African or Caribbean Heritage and in need of a second chance please share this opportunity with them."

I was thrilled to see this because I believe in young people- they are the future, and having a project such as The Amani Project provides a precious opportunity for young Londoners. This is important because mentoring, empowering and coaching young people improves their confidence, and enables them towards making good progress and provides hope for a better future.

Good educational opportunities leads to better career prospects which can support upward social mobility and a more fulfilling life. It improves mental and physical health and wellbeing too. This is important for our young people.

There may be other opportunities to support and empower young people where they are. Your local authority, voluntary organisations, charities or faith groups in local communities may be of support. The British Youth Council empowers young people aged 25 and under to have a say and be heard. The children's charity, Barnados also provides support for young people.

If you are a parent of you know a young person who needs support, please get in touch and we will do our best to provide them with the support and help they need by signposting them to the right place. Remember that providing hope, empowerment, employability, guidance and mentoring to young people helps them grow and has implications for not only their future career but also their health and that of their extended family by association because the whole society is empowered when on young person is empowered. Health and wealth starts from a young age, so let's start as we mean to go.