Sunderland teen launches initiative to support young people

Favour Ishola, 19, is creating a platform called SPAN THE GAPS to help young people discover opportunities and apply for and get support with a range of applications including apprenticeships, scholarships, internships, work experience and volunteering.

The idea for SPAN THE GAPS came from Favour’s desire to “close the gaps” between the North East and the rest of the country and to help young people find a range of opportunities they did not know existed.

The former Red House Academy student said: "I have big ambitions. I want to build towards them through my work.

"I would love to look back and know that I helped someone because of something I created or said.

"I want to be an inspiration to young people in the North East.”

Favour moved from Nigeria to Sunderland back in 2021 and believes her “need to help people” has grown from her own experiences.

She said: "In November 2021, I arrived in the country. I did not do aything at first but I wanted to learn all about the country and so I started joining webinars for different things.

"They would talk about universities and all sorts of opportunities, and I think that is where it all started from.”

Favour moved to Sunderland at the age of 14, getting involved in many opportunities since her arrival including becoming a young advisor to the Children’s Commissioner for England and Ofcom, becoming Miss Teen Tyne and Wear and being selected for the Knowledge Society and Harvard-founded Aspire Leaders Programme.

She said: "I saw so many opportunities I did not know existed.

"Over time I kept trying to get involved in as much as I could.

"I showed so much resilience.”

Favour hopes to launch SPAN THE GAPS in around a month’s time.

Anyone interested in accessing the platform can join the waitlist at https://tally.so/r/kdM20r.

Favour said: "I want to help people discover opportunities and understand how to take the next step.

"I care about people having access to what they want.”