Trevor Blackman

I am campaigning for a stronger, joined-up Youth Opportunity Guarantee so that where a young person lives does not determine the opportunities available to them. I want Brent Council, neighbouring Ealing Council, schools, colleges, businesses and community organisations to work together to create clearer pathways into work experience, apprenticeships, training, employment and enterprise. That means listening directly to young people and working with local organisations and resident groups, including those around Telford Road and the wider Stonebridge area, to understand what is missing and what young people actually need. My focus is not simply more youth activities. It is about creating a pathway from school → skills → experience → employment and opportunity, while raising aspirations and ensuring young people can access opportunities across borough boundaries. That also fits with what you are already publicly saying about getting businesses and education working together and starting earlier with work experience, apprenticeships, training and jobs.

Making Pride in Place deliver for local people

As a Stonebridge councillor, another major priority is supporting the development of St Raphael’s Pride in Place and making sure residents genuinely help shape what happens next. For me, this is about more than investment in buildings and physical improvements. It is an opportunity to connect young people, employment and skills, community organisations, local businesses and residents to the long-term future of the neighbourhood. I want to help ensure that local people are listened to, local skills and organisations are used wherever possible, and investment creates opportunities that remain within the community. My role is to work alongside residents, fellow councillors, community leaders and partners to help turn the opportunity into visible, lasting change for St Raphael’s and the wider Stonebridge community.