Children's Express

Children’s Express

Kids from Children's Express have been getting their articles published in newspapers around the UK since 1995. Birmingham member Paras Patel explains what Children's Express is and how it helps young people develop their skills.

Children's Express is all about young people getting a voice across to the media. We research and write stories for magazines and national and local newspapers. There are six bureaux based all over the country. The first and most established is in London, while newer centres of activity can be found in Newcastle, Belfast, Birmingham, Sheffield and Plymouth.

Children's Express began in Britain in 1995. The Birmingham bureau started nearly four years ago - this is where I am based and we currently have around 20 members. We are proud to have had articles published in national and regional media, like the Times and the Birmingham Post, as well as helping research Sex:8-18, a Channel 4 series about young people's attitudes to sex. Our members have also gone straight to the heart of Parliament by interviewing Tony Blair, Charles Kennedy and Ann Widdecombe.

But what are the underlying aims of Children's Express? Says London-based CE staff journalist Simon Wicks: "CE is all about self-development. By working alongside professional journalists and building stories in a structured way, our members pick up lots of useful skills and knowledge. This might mean finding out about their rights or it might mean developing good leadership skills.

"Publishing in real newspapers gives us an edge - our members have to make real decisions based on real world values. We expect a lot from our young people, but we give a lot back. We know that CE improves self-confidence and academic skills. We also know that our members really value their time here, because their opinions count. It's a great programme, and it works."

So that's the view from an adult involved in CE work - but what of the members - the children whose voice CE aims to make heard?

Children's Express - sharing the views of young people with the world.

Thomas Kielty, aged 16, from the Belfast bureau says: "I have had 24 articles published - they were all about young people and the things that affect their lives. I think CE is absolutely fantastic and it's a lot of fun attending. It has been good to express my views. My favourite piece of work was about bullying - I had fallen victim to a bully when I was younger - so I wanted to let people know what I went through."

Keshia Harvey, aged 14, a member at the London bureau says: "Children's Express helps children speak their minds without being told it's irrelevant. I've been at CE for two years and five months and I have had one story published as well as some opinion pieces. I've interviewed Graca Machel (Nelson Mandela's wife) and written about the Euro. When I joined I thought the thrill would be the fact my name would be in he paper but when it was I also realised it was good to know my opinion was being seen and heard that other people were discussing my views.

"My favourite story was interviewing the editor of the New Nation, Michael Eboda, because he is at the top of the journalism ladder and that's where I want to be. I enjoy the fact that everyone is equal and nothing is considered a stupid comment - that you can choose and suggest the stories you want to do and how questions aren't just shoved in our hands. CE isn't just about writing stories and getting heard, it's about children growing in confidence and making friends along the way."

Andrew Hopkins, aged 14, from the Birmingham bureau, has just been appointed the editor of its new newsletter, Hot Gossip - a name which, of course, was chosen by its members. Andrew says: "I find CE really interesting, it's good fun working on stories and learning new things. I have hugely enjoyed being an editor and it was great to get the opportunity. Now I am working on a story about vandalism and am looking forward to seeing the final product in print."

About the team

This story was produced by Paras Patel, 14. It was published in Children's Express Young Writer magazine.