Christopher Nation (born 1997) is a British Caribbean radio Personality in South Wales (United Kingdom), and Journalist in London.
Christopher was born in London, his Father Mark Walker is from the Cayman Islands and his Mother Annika Nation-Reid (http://annika-nation-reid.blogspot.com/) is a Welsh native.
Early Life
Christopher was raised in a single parent home and supported by his Grandmother chef Mamma Barnes whom he has a close relationship with. At the age of 16 he returned to his home town of London to pursue his A' level studies at the City of Westminster College.
Christopher became a Young Carer at the age of 6 following his mother being diagnosed with a clinical Depressive Disorder. He recalls how "My Mum would be extremely happy when she got money we would go shopping, she would buy me 'Letts' workbooks, take me to the games arcade, to toy shops, we would go to parks and feed the ducks, she would play and read with me. Other times my Mum would take me to school late because she found it hard to wake up in the morning and to get out of bed, I would often hear her crying in her room when she thought I was asleep. There would hardly be any food shopping in the house and we would live on take-away's because she would be exhausted from the medication she was on, the house was not tidy when she was really ill, my Nan and Granddad would get upset with her because they wanted my Mum to try and do better. Being of Caribbean descent where mental health conditions are frowned upon, I think they did not understand the effects of my Mum having depression. They would help me to tidy the house up and look after me during my school holidays so that I could have fun and play with other family who were my age!"
In 2006 Christopher's life would change forever when his mother was left with a physical impairment from a domestic dispute with her ex-partner. Christopher would now be 9 years old and his role as a Young Carer changed to Primary Carer. Christopher recalls having to accompany his mother to the hospital "My mother was in so much pain I stayed in the corridor but I could hear her screaming as the doctors and nurses tried to put her dislocated foot back in place, it was horrible and I was crying I remember thinking if only I was bigger I could protect my Mum"
With his Mum still suffering from the Depressive Disorder she would now have a new diagnosis from her injuries which left her with muscle weakness and joint pain and she began to Self Harm. These medical conditions combined contributed to a tragic end result in 2007 when Annika made an attempt of suicide on her life. Christopher now nearly 10 years old remembers thinking at the time; "Why is this happening? Why did My Mum do this?" He then asked his Mother with tear filled eyes "Was I not a good enough reason for you to stay alive Mum?" she told him he was the best reason and promised him she would never do this again.
At this time support was offered through Childrens Social Services as Christopher would now be considered a "Child in Need" which means that a plan of care has to be implemented by health professionals, school professionals, local government agencies, education authorities and the parents so that the childs needs can be catered to. Christopher would receive counselling sessions with the NSPCC (National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children), CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), and a Male mentor with BAWSO (Black Association for Women Stepping Out). He would also get his first taster of radio life by presenting "Youth Beats" a Saturday morning show on Radio Cardiff (http://www.radiocardiff.org)
His mother also began to receive the support she needed and things were looking up, she started to study and work again. Christopher then began to attend Drumming Lessons with The Forte School of Music and Drama Club at The Mark Jermin Stage School.
Education
Christopher now nearly 11 years old had to start to think of secondary school options. His Mother was always aware of how gifted her son was when it came to Mathematics and Acting. She made enquiries to various Independent Schools and Christopher went along to open days and took the entrance examinations at two of Wales' most prestigious schools. He passed both examinations and was offered a place at both schools. He chose to attend The Cathedral School. During his first term of school things went very well, he became an active member of the school enjoying the perks of being a part of The Chess and Science Club.
Tragedy struck when his mother was involved in a road traffic accident which nearly saw him lose both his Mother and Grandmother. His Mother's condition worsened, now being too ill to support Christopher to go to his extracurricular avtivities and take care of Christopher's needs things would become difficult for Christopher at both home and school he would be diagnosed with; Asthma, IBS and himself began to Self Harm. Christopher would also become a target for school bullies and was involved in a serious assault from another pupil. He recalls "I would have to look after my Mum, keep on top of school work and it just felt like for all my hard work what was I getting back? Nothing, none of my friends in school could relate to what I was going through there was no one to talk to, or who I could trust to talk to because I didn't want any more stress for my Mum we needed help and never got it!"
Through lack of support from the school, and other services Christopher lost his place at The Cathedral School .
His Mother tried to appeal against the decision but had little support and lost her case, the school were unhappy with the fact that Christopher began to embrace his culture by wearing his hair in braids, stating it not to be "traditional office dress code" they found Annika to be an "unreasonable parent" as a consequence of her side effects associated with her long term medical conditions, and although SNAP Cymru a youth organisation supporting excluded children in society offered to liaise on Annika's behalf, the school claimed they did "not have the facilities to support pupils or their parents who live with disabilities".
Media
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| CJ with Britain's Got Talent winners Diversity |
Although Christopher had the opportunity to accompany his mother on various assignments such as the MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) Awards press launch party, and meeting the likes of hip hop star Nelly when he toured in Cardiff; his first official press room experience came when he attended the Michael Jackson Tribute Concert in Cardiff and got to meet A-list celebrities such as Alexandra Burke, La Toya Jackson, Diversity, 3T, Smokey Robinson, Craig David, Leona Lewis, The Jacksons-Marlon, Jackie & Tito, Latoya Jackson, JLS and Ne-Yo. Christopher also gained valuable knowledge from the media industries best with Journalists such as MTV's Sarah Whitmore also covering the event at the Wales Millenium Stadium.
In 2011 CJ would approach his radio station manager Lynden Cumberbatch with a proposal for a carers week show raising awareness of the difficulties young carers face when having to look after their loved ones and effectively giving them a voice to express their feelings. It was during this time he would meet, train and work with another young carer Becki Holder through Crossroads an organisation who care for carers. Jake Goddard and Jane Morris would also bring both Becki and CJ up to broadcasting standards for them to present the Saturday morning "Youth Beats" show together Produced by Jeremy Rees.
CJ secured his first speaking engagement during the 2012 Black History Month at the Wales Millenium Centre, where he discussed the issues he faced in as a young male of caribbean descent in the education system in Wales.
In 2012 CJ and Becki would catch the attention of Shout Magazine Journalist Elliot George after reading their tweets on twitter. Elliot intrigued by their social networking presence, featured the presenters in a two page spread that would be publicised nationally in the UK and Ireland.
The 2013 new year would see CJ venture out into DJ'ing at Spice Route's restaurant and become a writer for: The Sprout Online, an interactive teenage magazine in Wales; Live Magazine a teenage print publication distributed throughout London, and the Royal Princess Anne's Carers Trust, a website where carers post blogs and socialise with one another for online support.
Awards
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| CJ with fellow Young Citizen Awardees and President Tanaka |
More good fortune came when through the Rotary Cardiff & Vale Young Carers Interact Club both CJ and Becki were nominated by Cardiff East Rotary Club and out of 75 regions in the UK and Ireland received the much coveted 2013 BBC Rotary Young Citizens Award for their radio shows and involvement in raising awareness of young carers roles. The awards ceremony would see international acclaim through it's broadcast on a global scale via the BBC News channel and they would have the opportunity to meet Japanese Rotarian President Tanaka, be invited to the House Of Commons in the Houses Of Parliament and visit the BBC London studios.
It was CJ's hope to train other young carers in radio broadcast so they could independently tell their oral stories and have the same opportunities he had gained through media, as such he chose to donate his prize money back to the young carers club.
In May 2013 following an all new youth beats project venture new presenters were introduced to the show, due to creative differences CJ began presenting the Radio Cardiff Urban Takeover show with Schwarz Blesson.
Currently CJ is studying in London at the City Of Westminster College, the Sylvia Young Theatre School and signed to Spotlight agency.
He still hopes to raise more funds to build an awareness of issues young carers face with the support of Radio Cardiff and other organisations during Carers Week UK.
He looks forward to what the future holds, awaiting the publication of his first children's book: A Day in the Life of a Young Carer, hosting and promoting the Young Carers Show, working with the Director (Mr Dean Alexander) of the UK MVisa's (Music Video and Screen Awards) during Black history Month, attend university visit Japan and become a successful business man so that he can be independently support himself and take care of his Mother and Grandmother better in the future.
