Young Ambassador of the 21st Century

In her own words, Jasmine tells us just a little about herself.

Hello, my name is Jasmine Folkes and I am 16 years old. I am the head girl at Oasis Academy Mayfield and am currently studying for my GCSEs in my final year of secondary school. I am going to college next year to study Geography, biology and environmental science.

On Mondays, I am a team leader with the Junior Neighbourhood Warden. This is a scheme run by Southampton City Council to promote a positive image of children in the community and to engage children aged 7-12 years within the city. I started at 7 years old myself. The primary aim is running projects and events in the school holidays, making or restoring community gardens, painting murals, litter picking and fundraising for good causes such as the Air Ambulance and a local animal shelter. We also support and attend the Southampton marathon and Remembrance Sunday. 

Every other Monday, the Junior Wardens have an Intergen meeting. A group of children attend a get-together in an assisted living centre with the older generation. I help in organising the meetings, working on the programme and leading the young people. We do craft activities, play games, and have guest speakers and everyone loves bingo.

I also represent the Junior Neighbourhood Wardens, doing tv interviews and speaking to the resident association of the Southampton City Council. I also produced a video for the Southampton City Council for the Southampton City of Culture bid.

On Tuesdays, I volunteer at my local Scout group for both the cubs and scouts, as a young leader. On Fridays, I attend a sea explorer unit – the next section after you move up from scouts. I have been selected by Hampshire Scouts to be an Ambassador on its European Jamboree trip called Project 23. We will travel to Germany, Austria and Czech Republic, staying in Scout Campsites and even a Bavarian Castle. In order to go on the trip, I am required to fundraise £2,200 which I have done through sponsored events such as car washes, a 36-mile bike ride around the Isle of Wight, a 22-mile walk in London crossing the river Thames multiple times on its 12 bridges, running various stalls at different fetes and having over a foot of my hair cut off to then be made into wigs for young people affected by cancer.

On Saturday mornings, I travel across Southampton by bus with my trumpet to practise with a showcase youth orchestra. We play concerts in Southampton Guildhall and the like. We have also performed at local festivals. On Thursdays, Sundays and some Mondays I act with the Hamble players and regularly take part in their productions. In 3 years doing the pantomime, I have gone from being a supporting role in the chorus, to the principal boy in Mother Goose last year and to this year playing Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk. This played to a packed-out crowd for a week in December. The pantomime is a large part of the village community. We put on about 4 shows a year.

On Wednesdays, I can stay at home but normally have revision or homework.