The Quiet Life Episode 36: We Believe in You with Justin Finlayson

Justin Finlayson is a solution provider - his passion is to show people their potential. He is the founder of the London-based youth empowerment nonprofit United Borders which uses music as a tool for engagement to reduce violence among youth, and he believes that it is imperative to highlight young people’s voices so we know where we are as a society - their voices reflect their reality. In this episode he talks about how music impacted his life, the tragic event that led him to create United Borders, and how the work of the organisation has evolved within the neighbourhoods Justin grew up in - hint, the impact has been epic.

Working out of a converted double decker bus, United Borders is a music production studio on wheels. With youth violence and knife crime on the rise in the capital of London, Justin wanted to do more for young people within these communities trapped by youth violence. The music is simply a way to get the youth to show up - the real work is in showing them that there is another way by taking them out of their environment so that they can assess it, showing them compassion and caring, and connecting them to experiences they otherwise wouldn't have. 

You can find out more about United Borders at http://unitedborders.org and follow them on Twitter @UnitedBorders and Instagram @unitedborders.

For more conversations like this, or to join our monthly Quiet Club where we discuss important issues and ways we can support in our communities visit justbreatheproject.com or follow us on Instagram @justbreathe.

This season of the Quiet Life was made possible by our friends at T2. Receive 10% off your first order and heaps of benefits such as rewards, experiences and personalised offers when you join The Tea Society, to start brewing the benefits and redeem your offer visit T2tea.com. This weeks featured tea is Gingernut Chai, which is available to buy online now and at all T2 stores.

Guest research for this episode completed by Camilla Besley.