I remember catching the bus to Claremont High School, then it would be playing football for my local team in Sudbury or to Bridge Park for some youth activities.

I was born and brought up in Brent and it can be a great place to grow-up in.

Sadly, many of the 40,000 children and young people living in Brent face some hard challenges.

Up to 47 per cent of Brent children live in poverty.

They also face the scrooge of knife crime as most of the victims are local young people.

Brent had the seventh highest number of stabbings in London last year.

Unemployment and a lack of opportunities add further barriers for children to thrive in this borough.

Today's children and young people are growing up in a fast and changing world dominated by social media, mobile phones and influencers.

It's certainly different from when I grew up riding my BMX bike or playing on my Super Nintendo.

Currently, I'm working with QPR and local organisations on a football project to help children to develop and lead healthier lives.

The council and the community all need to make sure every child and young person in Brent has the best chance in life no matter what their background or how they started off.

When those who hold power take time to carefully listen to children and young people and respond to what they say, great things are definitely possible.

Lets all make sure that every child in Brent really does matter.