Why I chose Youth Work!

In this blog article we're diving into the world of youth and childcare work, and the variety of opportunities which are available.

If you've ever wondered what drives people to work with children and young people, we have some local case studies below who have shared their experiences with us!

They explain the reasons that led them to start working with young people, and why they find it so rewarding!

Tim, Senior Lecturer in Social and Community Studies, Derby University

Youth Work to me is a vital part of what a just and decent society should be. A specific vocation with unique values and principles that advocates for young people, putting their needs, potential, opportunities and hope first. It recognises the whole person and looks to build trusting relationships with young people where they are empowered to use their voice in the things that matter to them. For me growing up, it was an old youth worker in his senior years called Dennis who provided a completely different role model for me, accepted me and, with great humour, supported me through some tricky formative years. There's no doubt about it... youth work works!

Shaylene, Childcare and Early Education T Level student, Broomfield Hall - Derby College

I've always aspired to work with children and having the opportunity to do the T level course in Childcare and Early Education gave me the chance to do a 2 year placement which has allowed me to work alongside with some amazing teachers and children. The majority of the children I have worked with have special educational needs (SEND) and this has allowed me to develop my passion for working with children with SEND. Working with these children everyday is so rewarding and fulfilling, which is one of many reasons why I eventually want to become a teacher.

Dean, Youth Work and Community Development student, Derby University

My experience with Youth Work as a Young Person

As a young person, I was admittedly an absolute nightmare. Any type of trouble I could get into I saw as an attempt to out-do it. So naturally, my school intervened and defined me as a “troubled young boy”. In their attempt to straighten me out and provide me some excess support, the school contacted a woman from the council to come and speak to me about my problems. I learned that she ran an inclusive LGBTQ+ youth club in town and encouraged me to come along.

As a struggling closeted young person, this youth club became my lifeline. Whilst at the youth club, I learned more about the world I would be apart of and found connection and education in a way that school simply couldn’t provide. I started to calm down in school, and despite my personal life beginning to reach a boiling point at home, this youth club and my youth worker were a constant support in my time of need. I was validated, fed and most importantly respected.

My experience as an adult coming into the world

Naturally, all good things must come to an end. I aged out of the youth club and found I once again had little support. I was in the foster care system, and completely left to the devices of the social workers and care teams that changed so frequently I couldn’t even remember their names.

After a few years, I decided to travel, move around and experience the world I was apart of. And in turn, found myself in a university city. As someone with little to no GCSE’s or qualifications, I was out of my depth. But I was inspired to do better for myself. The education and confidence my youth club and my incredible youth worker had instilled in me was still there, albeit different from the challenging young man they had once known.

I decided I wanted to go to university then, and prove to myself and those around me that I was just as capable and talented as my white picket fenced friends I’d made in my travels. So, the leaving care team I was assigned to arranged me to undertake an apprenticeship for the council which I was under. I moved back to that town and started again.

But the uphill battle had begun. I sat for filmed interviews upselling the local authority. I posed for pictures with whatever team and staff wanted to use me for. I was an absolute success story. A troubled young man who had turned his life around with the help of a local authority. But I knew that wasn’t the case. I was struggling, alone with nobody to listen to me or support me apart from my bi-monthly care plan meetings. I knew what I wanted but had no help getting there.

On my 21st birthday I attended a three hour long social work meeting and successfully managed not to fall asleep. At the end the director brought out a huge cake just for me, and told everyone how well I’d been doing with the teams help. It was incredibly embarrassing. However, as luck would have it, my old youth worker had been sat right behind me the whole time in the same meeting. And we quickly got back in touch. I had support once again and felt less alone.

Quickly, the time had come to begin applying for university. The team I was an apprentice for quickly refused to offer me a reference. I wasn’t good enough. My leaving care team shut down my request for a reference just as quickly, once again I wasn’t good enough.

But then, my past saving grace, my youth worker stepped up; offering me a reference, work experience and any or more support I needed in getting to university.

Why I Chose Youth Work to Study

The leaving care team didn’t want me to view the University of Derby. When they said I wasn’t good enough, they meant it. It wasn’t until another care leaver wanted to view the University that I found myself in the backseat of a car driven by my support worker as an excited tag-along.

I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do at University, but I knew I wanted to help people who had been in my situation. I wanted to be better than the professionals who had come before me. Because young people deserve better.

I spoke to a dozen lecturers and heard all about their courses. And then I met the lecturers in Youth Work and Community Development. I didn’t even know Youth Work was a university course. But when I spoke to my now lecturer, and sat in that seminar, I knew that Youth Work and Community Development was what I wanted to do. The care and passion in how my lecturer spoke about Youth Work and Community Development reminded me of my youth worker, and for the first time in a long time I believed my chance had come to actually prove myself.

I’ve changed a lot since I enrolled onto the course. My ideas and ethics have changed, and the experiences I have gained because of the course has given me motivation that I will carry with me within my profession. And because of this course and everything I have learned, I know I can go out and be better than those who came before, and provide a service to young people that my old youth worker would’ve been proud of.

Jenna, Teaching Assistant, St Giles Spencer Academy

The reason I work with small children is when they make progress even if it is a small step, I love the feeling that it gives me. The proud on their face that they did it themselves. Best feeling in the world! I have worked in a mainstream school and an SEN school and for me it is this same reason for both.

Shainie, Youth Work and Community Development student, Derby University

At 16 I left school with GCSE of Cs and Merits, I knew I always wanted to work with children. I completed my Level 2 in Childcare through an apprenticeship in a nursery this gave me a great base and knowledge for the years to come, after I completed my apprenticeship and gaining this qualification I then moved onto a school and became a teaching assistant - I enjoyed this job and I loved the way it made me feel knowing that I was helping a child progress within themselves. I started my Level 3 diploma while in this job, but this is when I feel pregnant at 19 and had to leave that behind. Becoming a teen mum was one of the hardest experiences, especially having twins who were in intensive care for 4 weeks! I wasn’t able to carry on with my Level 3 due to not being in employment and put my career to the back of my mind so I could concentrate on becoming a mum. Being a teen mum and going through domestic violence is one of the hardest things to come to terms with but I feel like this has given me the strength and ability to look forward and come into myself.

I worked within the health care sector and looked after adults with learning difficulties. This job gave me so much fulfilment watching them grow and learn new skills that maybe on their own they may not have had the courage and opportunity to do. Fast forward 7 years and I’m now 25 and have completed my Level 3 diploma in Childcare. I have 3 beautiful boys who are 6 ,6 and nearly 4, and they come with so much reliance,

and I am due to get married this year, so it’s finally time for me to concentrate on myself and take my education and work ethics to a new chapter!

I had been thinking for some time to move away from nursery work and have wanted to work with young adults. After my experience of working with adults with learning difficulties, I really want to bring my own experiences to young adults that are

going through what I have been through because no matter how bad a situation if there is the right support around you I feel like you can come out the other side - even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time. I want to be that person that helps them get there. I would love a career within teenage pregnancy units and community mental health, and I feel like the Youth Work and Community Development course will really help me to excel and enhance my knowledge from my personal experience to a professional manner, giving me the right skills and the knowledge to have a fully shaped career,

and show my boys that no matter what life throws at you and how bad things are, success is always around the corner if you work for it.

Bhavan, Project Assistant, MH:UK & Leaders Unlocked

I began volunteering in the youth mental health sector at 16 while in education, I continued to pursue it as my passion while studying at school and university! I do not regret it one bit, there is always something for everyone in the sector so I never felt as though I was being tied down to one area of work. I think that working with young people and being a young person myself made life a lot more valuable to myself, it gave me a sense of hope and connections I never would have dreamed of if I didn't take the leap into volunteering four years ago. The main motivation for me was to see a better future for young people, as well as myself and loved ones.

I entered the field after experiencing and witnessing a series of traumatic life events, to the point it seemed almost comical. Advocating gave me the courage and comfort in life that I was seeking since I was a child and helped me develop a blazing passion for a field I never thought I would enter. Because of this, I have learned many life altering lessons and am now stronger than ever before.

Ryan, Young Referee, Derbyshire FA & Nottinghamshire FA

I have been within grassroots football for most of my life as a player, and when I stopped playing I wanted to continue to be involved in the sport by helping other young players learn and develop through playing football, and so I began my refereeing journey. I enjoy the responsibility that it gives me to be able to teach and support young players to enjoy the sport that they love.

Michelle, Youth Alliance Coordinator, Community Action Derby

I have worked within community based roles, and am someone who can make connections well, as well as being able to network and think outside of the box.

Although I was quite academically gifted as a child, my surroundings were not ideal and I grew up in a disadvantaged household which left me unable to access services that I needed and deserved. My teenage years were chaotic, and I was vulnerable to being exploited due to the inequality between my home and school life, barriers towards getting support and facing homelessness when my parents divorced. I was so independent, but not the best informed.

I was excited by the role of Youth Alliance Coordinator, as I wanted to be able to support young people who are disadvantaged or don't necessarily tick systemic boxes to be able to access mainstream services. Young people, as with adults, can often be experiencing poor situations or difficult lifestyles in the background whilst trying to live a normal life and putting on a mask in public, and so to be able to use my adverse lived experiences to support others is really my biggest drive and brings passion to my role.

We hope that you found their stories and inspirational messages and experiences insightful, and we wish the students and young people who have contributed to this article all the very best for their future education and employment supporting our city's next generation!

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