LONDON’S VOICE OF GEN Z: Jonelle Awomoyi– Shoreditch Panel, London
Jonelle was selected for her on-going commitment to helping to give local young people a voice. At only 22, Jonelle inspires her peers speak up for what they believe in, tackle mental health issues, and find employment opportunities to help shape their lives. She sat as member of the British Youth Parliament for Croydon, and campaigns on behalf of the borough’s 91,000 under-18s. Jonelle is also an #iwill ambassador committed to social action. She hosted The Power of Youth Festival in 2020 and is also part of the Back Youth Alliance, an organisation that helps connect young people with paid jobs in the community. Later this month, Jonelle will visit the UN convention to discuss the status of women in leadership and gender-based violence which has surged over lockdown.
Jonelle commented, “I’m passionate about helping to connect young people with opportunities and better lives in the place I grew up. To have Amazon Handmade shine light on my story ahead of Mother’s Day as someone caring for the community only builds the awareness of what I want to do, and it’s perfect to show young people that we can make a difference together. The quote used on my mural is so fitting; I really want everyone to believe that their voice matters and can make a difference.”


Invest in and listen to Croydon’s young people: social activist Jonelle Awomoyi
Awomoyi has plenty of achievements under her belt at just 21 years old. In 2016, she was selected from 20 candidates as a Member of the British Youth Parliament for Croydon, and in 2018 she was also Parliamentary Ambassador for the British Youth Council.
She said there’s been a real change in how mental health has been discussed since she started a campaign during her time as a MBYP. The campaign’s aim was to improve approaches to mental health for young people which was supported by the Evening Standard.
“Now we’re in a pandemic…we’re not just shrugging it off and pretending like it’s nothing…we care about the existence of our…psyche and you know, it’s good!”
She said: “We do see mental health completely differently now. It’s not a taboo, it was a taboo.”
Invest in and listen to Croydon’s young people: social activist Jonelle Awomoyi – Eastlondonlines
Keir Starmer joins national conversation
#iwill Ambassador Jonelle, said:
“Young people are determined to see an end to racism in our generation. Will the Labour Party put pressure on UK Government to implement recommendations of previous enquiries on racial discrimination. I hope that this conversation is not a one off, and that Starmer returns for future discussion in which this can be raised.”
Jonelle is a student and Head of News at Nottingham Student TV, where she produces and presents news shows to increase young people’s political engagement, as well as being a former Member of Youth Parliament for Croydon.


Meet the Croydon teenager starting a mental health awareness campaign
A teenager from south London has begun a campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues among young people.
Jonelle Awomoyi, 17, is using her platform as a member of Croydon’s Youth Parliament to break down stigma surrounding mental health.
Jonelle told the Standard: “Mental health right now is at an all-time low in Croydon.
“I researched into it and when I was running to be a member of Youth Parliament, I thought it was really important that I focus on mental health.”
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