The chairman of the ‘Rio Ferdinand Foundation’ discussed the dangers of limiting young people in their careers and refusing stereotypes.
Bintou Crookes Martin, the chairman of the ‘Rio Ferdinand Foundation’, spoke passionately about South London communities and stressed the importance of not limiting career choices because of imagination.
She said: “[Young people] often don’t beyond what they see directly in front of them and actually there is a whole world out where there aren’t any limits – its their own limits they put on themselves”. And thus through the foundation, they aim to bring exposure to unknown opportunities and whole industries which reveal several more career paths.
Partnerships have been significant in changing the narrative using them to bridge the gap and provide opportunities and connections that would have
otherwise been unknown. BT is one of the first influential supporters of the foundation, and have provided a large amount of support.
Reducing stereotypes was also a topic that was mentioned surrounding South London communities. For instance, those that were anti-crime and anti-knife are being stereotyped in society to be something that only young people who have a tough up-bringing are in thus deterring those who do not want to be stereotyped from getting involved.
Bintou Crookes Martin alongside England superstar Rio Ferdinand attended an event in Dulwich to launch a new project with non league side Dulwich Hamlet Football Club.
Rio Ferdinand Foundation centres itself around fixing the issues in society and being a progressive force in changing mindsets in young people from South London.
