My first ever news story

Mike Sanderman, 64,

Residents of Shirley community were involved in Autumn Bulb plant in St. James Park.

Friends of St James Park are volunteers who set up this event, where the community participated in planting bulbs, a leaf hunt, receiving discount and even a free hot chocolate up for grabs.

Mike Sanderman, 64, retired said: “Being a part to St. James Park means that I want to help keep the park tidy whilst getting the local community involved.”

Although the organisation Friends of St. James Park raising its own funds, money is still left over  from the fund that enables them to create these events.

In 2009 St. James Park was awarded £1.1million by the lottery fund and a further  £400,000 by Southampton City Council to improve the park.

Jan Carr, community coordinator for friends of St. James Park said: “The idea is for the whole community to use the community fund.”

Other events held at St James park is for Diwali celebration held on the 13^th of November where the community can get henna tattoo’s, decorating jars, dancing, drums with a special food menu in the café. This is supported alongside the local Hindu temples.

Friends of St. James Park are also supporting football for young people who wouldn’t usually get a chance to participate.

Living the Dream

IMAGINE up and coming band, Stooshe making a special appearance at your university, this is exactly what they did for Southampton Solent students. The versatile, raw, and crazy trio gave an insight to their booming music career and even a special performance.

This band goes to show that anything is possible-even for us! Courtney and Alexandra were spotted in Topshop and were combined to create Stooshe with Karis, who attended Brit School, like many other legends such as Jessie J. The girls even described themselves to have a special sisterly bond.

Already  charismatic Stooshe have been on tour with Nicki Minaj, are up for an MOBO award for the best new comer, and even supporting  J-Lo  later this year in her UK tour! The level-headed girls are also realising there debut album in the second week of November.  They described it as “Raw Stooshe; Cockney meets attitude with a Motown vibe.  Loads of different sides of Stooshe.”

Despite rumours about a shaky relationship with Simon Cowell, the girls told us the real reason to why they didn’t sign up to his record company, Syco.  It was in fact that they couldn’t cope with the creative control. Stooshe are extremely individual and most certainly have the wow factor.

The trio acknowledged being in media spotlight was a huge responsibility and collectively had become role models to girls all over the country. “We are not pretending to be anyone else, we are who we are.”  Stooshe writes about day to day life and communicate from their soul, which people understand.  This is what makes the band emerge from other girl groups today, they are so relatable!

Despite the hectic year that Stooshe have had, Alex gave an inspiring top tip, “live your life and have fun whilst you’re doing it.” 

Piece of work, I created after my amazing welcome week at university.

My very first Vox pop

“I don’t think it’s hard to get a job,” Southampton shoppers claim. Although in the media there have been talks about youth unemployment, there are still members of the public that believe this isn't the case.

Others however had an different opinion saying that the type of job available stops young people working. Caroline from the Falkland Island said: “You can’t employ people under the age of 18 to work with cigarettes and alcohol, which are most shops and bars.

“You may have qualification out your ears but no one can get work because you need to have experience.”

Work experience

If starting University a month ago wasn't daunting enough, try adding attempting to gain work experience by Christmas in the mix.

I feel stupid, I feel unable. I re-read, and re-read what I've written. More like an X factor sob story! So why the hell would this publication should pick me?

I want a witty opening line, but I want to be professional. Where does the balance and the mix of this lie? I think it over and over. I get frustrated. Skype my mum for support, she's a babe.

I get it, I do it. I'm happy. Last minute jitters, hit the send button and run.