ECPAT UK’s Youth Worker wins Young Leader of the Year award

Monday, 26th March 2018

ECPAT UK’s Trafficked Girls’ Group Assistant, Temi Adekoya, has won the Young Leader of the Year award at London Youth’s annual award ceremony celebrating young people making outstanding contributions to their communities.

The Young Leader of the Year award acknowledges a young person under 25 years of age who has demonstrated active involvement in their youth organisation or wider community. Described by the competition judges as one of the toughest categories due to the exceptional achievements of each nominee, Temi was recognised as showing an exceptional commitment to supporting other young people through ECPAT UK’s youth programme.

Temi has been in the UK for nearly 17 years. She is a proud mum and full time student doing a BA in Early childhood studies. Temi helps plan and run ECPAT UK’s weekly youth group in London for girls and young women who have been trafficked. Some of her achievements at ECPAT UK include taking on a challenging but rewarding leadership role in ECPAT UK’s Trafficked Girls’ group – through which she has had a hugely positive impact in vulnerable young women’s lives.

Temi said

‘In my time in the UK, I have encountered many obstacles that have made me who I am today. But I never let any of this hold me back. I believe that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

‘With help and inspiration from staff at ECPAT UK, I have developed transferable skills to enable me to help young people recover from abuse, believe in themselves and follow their dreams.’

Debbie Beadle, Head of Youth Development Programmes at ECPAT UK said

‘I am so proud of what Temi has achieved. She has grown so much and overcome challenging times to be an inspiration to all young people facing similar challenges.'

ENDS

Press contacts

Sinead Geoghegan, Information, Media and Communications Officer, ECPAT UK: 020 7607 2136 [email protected]

Bharti Patel, CEO, ECPAT UK: 07402 113 985 [email protected]

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