How I found hope after the Grenfell tragedy
As my 24th birthday nears, I am at a crossroads in life. I look back on the last few years, especially, and I reflect on just how challenging it has been — from the Grenfell Tower fire; to losing my mum; to Covid-19; to the general challenges of life as a young person growing up in London. But one thing has always remained ... hope.
I’ll be the first to admit that when I was briefed on the Grenfell Young People’s Fund, I hadn’t grasped what I was getting myself into (and, at 21, why should I have?!) Through experience I have learnt how much of a positive impact we can have on our communities — the people and places we know and love. Being on the panel of the Grenfell Young People’s Fund has given me hope, directly witnessing the process of idea to action to positive change. The Grenfell Tower fire shattered the hearts of our people and, as a community, we’re trying to pick up the pieces — to find some peace and motivation.
As a young person, I’ve always felt control has been out of my hands — with the world just happening around me. My passion has always been there but I would get frustrated when I didn’t know how to put it into action. I think the Grenfell Young People’s Fund has, at the very least, showcased to other young people how change can come about.
It has empowered me to take ownership and responsibility of the change I’d like to see. I have since set up my own non-profit organisation based in North Kensington called Grow2Know (www.grow2know.org.uk). It is focused on empowering, educating and inspiring young people through horticulture, while also creating a more inclusive horticultural scene — among a few projects I’ve set up or am a part of.
You can either protest by going on marches and campaigns, or you can plant the seed in the minds of young people and watch them grow. Both are equally important but, as a father, I feel my time is more valuable working with young people while hopefully giving them someone relatable to look up to.
The fire shattered the hearts of our people and, as a community, we’re trying to pick up the pieces
As we enter the third and final round of funding, it upsets me that this will be the last time we will get together as the Grenfell Young People’s Fund panel, but I know what we have done has set a precedent. This is a legacy we have created. We will look back on this experience one day as the start of something revolutionary. Give more respect and ownership to the young people of today — we might just do something amazing.
