At the end of National Youth Work Week, I just wanted to reflect over the last six months as I worked closely with our partners (Clarion Futures, InspireChilli and Foyer Federation) and a group of inspiring and energetic young people to bring our fourth Room for Young People Awards and our October conversation series.
From a glance it might seem effortless but for anyone who has ever arranged a wedding or a significant birthday party you know that those who plan and deliver these events are like swans, looking majestic above the water but frantically kicking their legs to keep afloat.
As always, the event was a huge success which the young people took in their stride and, for me, a reminder that if you trust and believe in young people, even though you can see some of the hurdles they don’t, they deliver as they teach us about humility and resilience.
This year we celebrated the champions of youth work around the country; some fantastic youth workers who champion by doing great youth work as well as incredible young champions who have inspired their communities, young people and youth workers around the country.
Irrespective of whether they were a young person or staff member, they have all been exposed to experiences, ideas, people and places that have helped them learn and grow and become active members of their communities and society.
As I met one of our customers at the hotel they reminded me that what I took for granted - a trip to Birmingham and stay at a hotel was a huge new experience for them when they told me ‘ this is the furthest I have ever been’ and that they ‘couldn’t believe they got to stay in a hotel.’
They also told me ‘don’t worry I am not wearing this for the evening’ which I replied ‘they could wear whatever they wanted I was just really pleased that they came.’
To see two of our customers being crowned Top Champions in their Award categories was magical but more importantly seeing them share that moment with colleagues that had made that trip with them was even better.
Youth work is all about relationships, in fact life is all about relationships we are just all people trying to navigate a complex and everchanging world where some of us are born with more privileges than others.
Accessing youth services or facilities is not felt equally, with young people in many parts of the country, struggling to gain access to them.
Our young people’s accommodation and support services do offer a lifeline to many young people and I am really excited as we embark on our new online youth coaching pilot in Somerset.
Some of my coaching colleagues have volunteered to coach young people, empowering them to take responsibility and be the best they can be.
Young people taking centre stage with confidence and bravery is insightful as well as inspirational. They shared their lived experience, particularly around mental health and in the words of Molly we should all ‘see your mental health as your super power’ as well as reminded us how you can grab the challenges we are facing and flip them into opportunities that will maximise your potential and life chances.