Latest news with #ElianneAndam
Fashion Network
22-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Westfield claims almost £24m in 'social value' for its UK malls last year
Shopping centre performance isn't just about footfall and retail. Major London malls operator Westfield (part of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield) has reported £23.8 million in social value generated across its UK destinations in 2024. Its latest Social Value Impact Report, which focuses on the scale and scope of social investment (including job creation, youth engagement, biodiversity and community-led initiatives) covers three of its key London malls. Westfield Stratford City recorded the highest year-on-year increase in social value across the UK portfolio, rising by £3.6 million to reach £12.5 million in 2024. Community investment more than doubled to £6.7 million, bolstered by initiatives such as The Felix Project, which redistributed 2.6 million meals and prevented 1,430 tonnes of CO₂e from going to waste across the UK. Other highlights include £13,000 in bursaries for Newham students through the Birkbeck Student Fund and the Newham Music Hub welcoming over 10,000 visitors. Volunteering hours rose by nearly 50%, 'reflecting deeper local community engagement'. Westfield London social value contribution increased from £9.8 million in 2023 to £10.5 million in 2024, a 7% increase year-on-year. The report said local employment rose by more than 10% in 2024, reflecting strong job growth in the area, with work opportunities increasing by 60%, and community investment nearly doubling. Other key contributors include West London Retail Skills Hub which, since its launch, has engaged 126 employers, and West Youth Zone, which recorded 22,853 visits in its first year, offering affordable, high-impact programmes to over 2,400 young people. In its first year of reporting, Centrale & Whitgift Shopping Centres in Croydon generated £813,241 in social value. Key milestones included the unveiling of the Elianne Andam Memorial Mural, created in partnership with local organisations, and the impactful 'Cut It Out' football match at Crystal Palace — both aimed at promoting youth safety and community cohesion. Looking ahead, the centre plans to expand its reporting scope in 2025 to capture social value generated through its supply chain. Jacinta Rowsell, managing director, Customer & Retail Operations, Northern Europe, URW, said: 'The remarkable growth in social value across our UK centres highlights the transformative impact of sustained community investment, a core driver of our Better Places strategy. 'From job creation and youth engagement to environmental initiatives, these efforts reflect our commitment to fostering thriving, resilient communities. As we continue to expand our programmes, we remain dedicated to driving meaningful change that benefits both people and the planet.'
Fashion Network
22-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Westfield claims almost £24m in 'social value' for its UK malls last year
Shopping centre performance isn't just about footfall and retail. Major London malls operator Westfield (part of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield) has reported £23.8 million in social value generated across its UK destinations in 2024. Its latest Social Value Impact Report, which focuses on the scale and scope of social investment (including job creation, youth engagement, biodiversity and community-led initiatives) covers three of its key London malls. Westfield Stratford City recorded the highest year-on-year increase in social value across the UK portfolio, rising by £3.6 million to reach £12.5 million in 2024. Community investment more than doubled to £6.7 million, bolstered by initiatives such as The Felix Project, which redistributed 2.6 million meals and prevented 1,430 tonnes of CO₂e from going to waste across the UK. Other highlights include £13,000 in bursaries for Newham students through the Birkbeck Student Fund and the Newham Music Hub welcoming over 10,000 visitors. Volunteering hours rose by nearly 50%, 'reflecting deeper local community engagement'. Westfield London social value contribution increased from £9.8 million in 2023 to £10.5 million in 2024, a 7% increase year-on-year. The report said local employment rose by more than 10% in 2024, reflecting strong job growth in the area, with work opportunities increasing by 60%, and community investment nearly doubling. Other key contributors include West London Retail Skills Hub which, since its launch, has engaged 126 employers, and West Youth Zone, which recorded 22,853 visits in its first year, offering affordable, high-impact programmes to over 2,400 young people. In its first year of reporting, Centrale & Whitgift Shopping Centres in Croydon generated £813,241 in social value. Key milestones included the unveiling of the Elianne Andam Memorial Mural, created in partnership with local organisations, and the impactful 'Cut It Out' football match at Crystal Palace — both aimed at promoting youth safety and community cohesion. Looking ahead, the centre plans to expand its reporting scope in 2025 to capture social value generated through its supply chain. Jacinta Rowsell, managing director, Customer & Retail Operations, Northern Europe, URW, said: 'The remarkable growth in social value across our UK centres highlights the transformative impact of sustained community investment, a core driver of our Better Places strategy. 'From job creation and youth engagement to environmental initiatives, these efforts reflect our commitment to fostering thriving, resilient communities. As we continue to expand our programmes, we remain dedicated to driving meaningful change that benefits both people and the planet.'
The Independent
01-04-2025
- The Independent
Why we need to show Adolescence in schools – before it's too late
The first episode of Adolescence leaves most viewers in shock. From the moment we meet 13-year-old Jamie, terrified and so profoundly young, we instinctively think a mistake has been made – this young boy can't be capable of murder. But for those of us working with young people every day, there's no shock to be had. We know just how capable young boys can be. From the real-life murder of Elianne Andam to the killing of Holly Newton, Adolescence portrays not a one-off horror, but a growing pattern of behaviour amongst boys of a younger and younger age. As co-creator and star Stephen Graham says himself, the question the Netflix series explores isn't if this violence is happening – but why? Jamie is not neglected or abused – he comes from a loving family. His actions are instead the result of extreme online misogyny, targeting boys every time they look at their phone or turn on their computer. Young boys are being radicalised under our noses and Jamie's plight – as well as that of his victim, Katie – shows just how dangerous this can be. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) has become everyday news, with the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) recently calling it 'a national emergency'. But people are less aware of its severity among children and young people. According to data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) 16-19 year olds are at the highest risk of abuse from a current or former partner. The age most likely to report rape is just 14 – and, as the NPCC report emphasised, both victims and perpetrators of VAWG are getting younger every year. Working with Tender (a charity focused on teaching children about healthy relationships) in schools across the country, this is highly evident. I've seen girls as young as 12 being stalked, threatened and attacked by boys from their own school and, even more horrifyingly, I've seen these girls blamed for it by their teachers – held accountable for the threats because they are 'difficult' or not the 'right type of victim'. With pornographic content widely available, violent acts like strangulation are often raised in our workshops – even by primary school children, aged nine or ten. Adolescence has awoken the world not only to the problem, but the urgent need for a solution. The fact is, we do know how to halt these issues at their root – but it's simply not being put into action. Through proven interactive, drama-based techniques, we counteract these harmful narratives, giving young people the tools to navigate and challenge online content. I've seen boys with radically misogynist views transform their attitudes within a matter of days and many go on to be advocates for healthy behaviour and gender equality across their schools. But so many children don't have access to this support. Though relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) is now a compulsory part of the curriculum, its quality varies hugely from school to school, and academies (43.5 per cent of schools) currently have no obligation to follow the curriculum at all. Teachers aren't receiving the training they need to teach critical concepts like consent and equality, and schools haven't the resources to buy in expertise. When we released a resource on this very issue, we were flooded with requests from schools for more support, more help, more guidance. We can solve this problem via a three-pronged approach. Our government needs to be bold and brave – with legislation that ensures specialist RSHE in every single school, delivered by either external experts or highly trained teachers, whilst driving online safety measures to support this vital work. Schools need the resource to put this plan into action in a long-term, sustainable way, whilst parents and carers need guidance to help talk to their children about these issues from the very beginning and keep them safe in the home environment. Tender is working with more and more schools every year, but, as a charity, there's only so much we can do. Bombarded by violent misogyny on a daily basis, so many young people don't have access to this vital education, and are left vulnerable to the radicalisation Adolescence so aptly demonstrates. We can't leave the responsibility in the children's hands – it's our job to be brave, not theirs. Bringing the series into schools is a key, positive project that capitalises on the incredible awareness the series has raised. But it must be the first step in a comprehensive plan of funding, resource and expertise, implemented as urgently as any other threat to our children's safety. Speaking at a Tender panel, Stephen Graham said: 'So many people could have made a difference to Jamie's life and that's the tragedy of it.' This is the key – violence like this can and must be prevented. We have a proven, impactful solution. If the government wants to fulfil its goal of halving VAWG, it's time for them to put this solution into action.
BBC News
29-03-2025
- BBC News
Brixton: School dad's club tackles toxic masculinity
With Netflix smash hit Adolescence highlighting the devastation that can be wrought by toxic masculinity, a school dads club has been showing what positive role models men can Primary School Dads and Male Carers Club provides a space for men to connect, learn new skills, and spend quality time with their is celebrating its first anniversary having doubled attendance since opening - with an average of 57 dads, carers, and kids at each to the club it wants to counter the negative influence of harmful online content. It was started by parents after the murder of Elianne Andam by teenager Hassan Sentamu in a row over a founder Scott Leonard said: "Primary school is so informative for young people, where they shape much of their thinking and behaviour."Just 14% of primary school teachers are male according to the Office for National Statistics. "The more dads and male carers get involved, the more we can positively influence young minds and equip them with resilience and skills to create better future outcomes," Leonard told the David Kingsley said: "It's just to encourage positive masculinity within our space and within our sons and ensure they grow up as good role models within their communities... and also be good dads in the future as well."Seven-year-old Paddy who attends the club with his dad Johnny Kilgallon said: "I like really like my friends and doing Pokemon cards and doing activities."Quincy, aged seven, who goes to every session, said: "I love dads' club because I get to play games and make comics." Kenneth Baffoe of Jessop Primary School, in south London, said: "We believe true strength lies in compassion, empathy, and active involvement in our community."The club, which has had funding from festival Brockwell Live and the London Cycling Campaign, is working to scale the club across other primary schools."Our long-term goal is to take the primary school dads and male carers club model nationwide," said Mr club has been shortlisted for a Lambeth Civic Award.
Sky News
13-03-2025
- Sky News
Teenager who stabbed schoolgirl Elianne Andam to death in 'frenzied' attack in Croydon jailed for at least 23 years
A teenager who stabbed 15-year-old schoolgirl Elianne Andam to death in south London has been jailed for at least 23 years. Hassan Sentamu, 18, attacked Elianne with a kitchen knife near the Whitgift Centre in central Croydon in September 2023 after she stood up for his ex-girlfriend, who was her friend. The schoolgirl was repeatedly stabbed in what police described as a "frenzied" attack that was caught on CCTV. Sentamu, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was arrested less than 90 minutes later after getting off a bus. The boy, of Rowdown Crescent, New Addington, admitted manslaughter but denied murder on the basis of "loss of control" because he has autism. He was found guilty of murder and possession of a knife in January following a trial at the Old Bailey. Sentamu had recently broken up with a friend of Elianne's, whom he had agreed to meet up with to return items, including a teddy bear, that they exchanged while they were going out together, the court heard. But he instead came armed with a knife, wearing two pairs of gloves and a facemask, and when Elianne ran up behind him and grabbed a bag of items that had been returned to him, he chased and stabbed her multiple times. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
