Miriam’s personal story
‘My name is Miriam Okotie Tomas and I am a striving young care leaver, who is working for Newham as a Youth Commissioner. A bit about myself, I am currently a university student at King’s College London, studying Global Health and Social Medicine (Bsc). I am also working as a Europe Directorate in the Home Office. I know you may be a bit impressed by this, but despite being a care leaver and facing some adversities in care, Newham has taken part in shaping me into the amazing woman I am becoming. I have been given so many opportunities to represent young people in events such as the Children in Care Council (CiCC), Newham’s youth council and so many events Newham has created. Newham will forever have a soft space in my heart.
The reason I have chosen this role as a Youth Commissioner is to be the voice of young people. As a care leaver, I have had experience in living in an unpleasant accommodation and I want to change that for young people. Any housing for young people should have the basic necessities of WIFI, not living in cramped box rooms, etc. I want to represent the requirements and concerns of young people towards housing. Therefore, I have taken this role because not every young person’s voice is heard or listened to and I want to change that.'
'I hope being a youth gives me experience in working in the Newham council and learning various skills I did not have before. I hope to have a great impact in changing people’s lives.’