A reality TV star is calling on young people to help him in his quest to make Islington the best place to grow up in the world.

Islington Gazette: Jermain Jackman with students from Duncombe Primary School debating society at the launch of the Fair Futures Commission earlier this year. Credit: Em FitzgeraldJermain Jackman with students from Duncombe Primary School debating society at the launch of the Fair Futures Commission earlier this year. Credit: Em Fitzgerald (Image: Em Fitzgerald)

Jermain Jackman, a former Islington Arts and Media School student who won talent show The Voice in 2014, is making the shout-out as chairman of the Fair Futures Commission, which launched earlier this year with the aim of improving lives for children across the borough.

The commission is made up of more than 20 people from all walks of life – from academics and psychologists to students, parents and members of Islington Youth Council.

Jermain said: “I want Islington to be the greatest place in the world for a child or young person to grow up. That’s why I’m chairing this commission, and we are listening.

“Our aim is to give a voice to the voiceless and lend an ear to those who have been crying out for change. But we need your help and ideas to really make the difference.”

The 22-year-old – who grew up in Hackney – is posing a series of questions to get the ball rolling.

He added: “How would a better Islington feel for a child or young person? What would it look like? How would children and young people grow, learn and play? How would organisations work with the community on solutions, and how and where should investments be made?

“These are the questions we’re asking of you so we can truly represent people’s views, so in future the council and its partner organisations can put a vision for a child and youth-friendly community at the heart of everything it does.”

The commission will carry out its work over the next year, before making recommendations to Islington Council and its partners.

Cllr Joe Caluori, one of the commissioners and the council’s education chief, said: “We want to listen to the views of all people in Islington about how we can make the borough a better place to grow up for all children, and I’m really looking forward to hearing all the ideas people have.”

To find out more and get involved, see fairfutures.org, call 020 7527 3080 or email fairfutures@islington.gov.uk.