Inspiring People case studies

Read some of the inspiring stories Newham residents have shared with us:

• Rising star in athletics Sarah Kigozi
• Young singer and one of our 2010 Shining Through Award winners James Anderson
• Event volunteer Susan Master who has helped out at the Newham London Run and Mayor's Town Show
• Environmental volunteer Simon Reddcliffe
• Budding young novelist Mina Bint Muhammad who had her first novel published aged 15
• Workplace employee Ripa Aktar who received training and got her job through the Mayor's Employment Project

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Rising star in athletics - Sarah Kigozi

Sarah Kigozi started competing in track and field events at primary school including the 100 metres, 200 meters and relay, which won her an array of medals.

She showed great potential from a young age and remembers being the fastest person in the school. However, speed was not her only talent she has concentrated on her education so much so that she is now studying for degree in development studies and politics.

Now competing with the Newham and Essex Beagles she says: "It's great training here, I'm inspired by my coach, he continually gives me encouragement and his training style has helped many of our top athletes to complete. It's very inspiring to see other athletes training knowing that they will soon be competing at the Olympics in 2012."

At the age of 16 while competing for the club she gained her personal best in the 100m: 12.98 seconds and 200m 26.4 seconds. She now hopes to continue the hard work and compete in future Olympics.

Shining Through - James Anderson

In 2010, James Anderson won a Shining Through Award for Creativity in the Arts.

James said: "Singing has always been my passion. I just love to perform.

"I was nominated for the award and later shortlisted but never once did it enter my head that I would actually win. What a great surprise."

The 12 year old from East Ham is currently playing a young Michael Jackson in the West End show Thriller Live. In the show, James sings four solo songs and three songs as part of the Jackson 5.

Events volunteer - Susan Master

Susan Master joined the event volunteering programme in 2010. Her first big event was the Newham London Run and then she volunteered at the Mayor's Town Show.

Susan said: "I love events because I get to meet people, make friends and encourage others."

Susan is a graduate with a degree in politics, philosophy and economics and previously worked within the media industry. She had a period of not working and wanted to learn much more about where she lives.

Event volunteering has built up Susan's community knowledge and taught her about all the different cultures and diversity in Newham. She has since gone on to become an Active Community volunteer and is the volunteer co-ordinator for the Newham Beautiful Borough project.

Environmental volunteer - Simon Reddcliffe

Simon Reddcliffe, from Forest Gate, joined the Newham volunteering programme having been unwell and out of work for more than three years.

Simon participated in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Personal Best programme and through that started volunteering in environmental projects. He also volunteers with partner organisations such as Newham Conservation and Thames 21, London's leading waterways charity.

He is now Newham's only river keeper and has won a placement with the Vodafone world of difference programme which gives people the chance to work for a UK-based charity of their choice for two months, and get paid for their time.

Simon said: "Being part of the volunteer programme has opened so many doors for me and has helped me to realise my true potential. Although my background wasn't in environment I have now found my true vocation and my health has improved."

First novel published - Mina Bint Muhammad

Mina Bint Muhammad had her first novel published at the age of 15.

Her book 'See Red', which is out in April 2011, is set in Newham and covers a range of the issues that teenagers have to deal with in today's society.

Sarah Bonnell School supported Mina from the beginning of the project and they've helped her to achieve her potential as a writer.

Mina said: "I feel I've accomplished something by being a fifteen-year-old author, and I really hope that my generation of novelists will be as good as the last one."

Better off in work - Ripa Aktar

Before Ripa Aktar got her job through the Mayor's Employment Project she had been out of work for some time. She was a full time mum to three children and a single parent. When her children had all started full time education she decided it was time for a change.

Ripa found out about Workplace in the Newham Mag. She talked through her aspirations with a workcoach and mentioned she wanted to become an advisor.

She joined the Workplace team in Stratford as a candidate administrator; who is the first point of contact for all candidates seeking employment.

Ripa said: "I love the job as I enjoy meeting and helping people and having the confidence to talk to people. I'm finally getting the chance to achieve my goal of providing advocacy and support.