Blog

Growing up in social housing is something people talk about a lot but rarely from personal experience. It shapes you in ways you do not always notice until you are older. It affects your mindset, your ambitions, the way you read people, and even the way you move through the world. Growing up in social housing is not just about a postcode. It is a whole education.

On Monday 19 January 2026, a historic moment took place in Camden: the borough’s first Full Council Debate centred on the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS).

There is something incredibly comforting about a warm, hearty stew on a cold winter evening, and Ades, the Eritrean Red Lentil Stew, has been my go-to for just that. Growing up in an Eritrean household, flavors like berbere, turmeric, and the earthy aroma of simmered greens were the essence of home. This dish brings all of that together in one pot. It is simple, nourishing, and full of flavor.

As we enter October, it brings with it a month packed with opportunities to embrace and spread awareness to all of the individual differences that make Camden the truly unique and diverse community that it is. For many young people, like myself, these differences are expressed through neurodivergence. These differences are not burdens or problems that need to be fixed, but instead unique perspectives that shape how neurodivergent individuals experience the world. Perspectives that shouldn’t be brushed away, but instead highlighted and praised. With ‘World Mental Health Day’ on October 10th, it’s the perfect time for us to reflect on how we can unite and create a nurturing community that welcomes and celebrates everyone across the borough.

“This partnership represents everything we believe in at Young Camden Foundation; collaboration, community and compassion,” said Sophie Kruger, Head of Partnerships & Grants. “When a global brand, a local business and a place-based charity come together, the impact is real and immediate. Support has enabled thirty-six local community groups, charities, and schools in our network to create calming and inclusive spaces, benefitting hundreds of young Camdeners.”

World Social Justice Day is celebrated on the 20th of February every year to commemorate and remind us of the equality and justice around the world. This year’s theme was “Empowering Inclusion: Bridging Gaps For Social Justice”.

When the school bell rings, and the textbooks are closed for the day, there’s this incredible buzz that sweeps through Camden. As a Young Camden Ambassador, I’ve had the privilege of exploring and sharing the amazing opportunities this borough has to offer. It’s not just about the relief of being done with lessons; it’s the chance to step into the world beyond the classroom and really make the day your own. Camden, for me, has always been more than just home. It’s where I’ve found spaces to grow, laugh, and connect with people who feel like family. After school, it’s like the borough opens its arms to all kinds of adventures, big and small.

As an ambassador for the Young Camden Foundation, I recently had the privilege of attending the council’s most recent youth safety steering meeting. The meeting brought together representatives from different organisations and schools who work in the local area, dedicated to addressing the challenges our borough is facing in keeping its young people safe, proposing solutions to these challenges and giving general updates on how the progress that’s been made.