Get to Know Our Youth Workers

8th November 2022

Get to know some of our youth workers a little better, as they answer some questions, for Youth Work Week 2022.

Jack – Safe Havens Youth Worker 

How long have you been a youth worker? 

I have been a youth worker for around 3 months.

How did you become a youth worker/what drew you to becoming one? 

I have a real passion for helping others, especially with mental health and mental illness. Young people are a section of society that particularly struggle with mental health, but also there is so much potential to prevent problems becoming worse in adulthood.

What do you love about being a youth worker? 

In my short time as a youth worker, I have loved working in a team full of passion and dedication to helping others. Everyone helps me to achieve the most I can so we can help young people achieve more, too! 

Katie – Safe Havens Lead Youth worker

How long have you been a youth worker? 

2 years.

How did you become a youth worker/what drew you to becoming one? 

I have always wanted to be a support for young people who are going through difficult situations, to let them know they are not alone and to empower them to build resilience and to overcome their difficult times in a positive and uplifting way. 

Life is unexpected a lot of the time and we cannot feel prepared for the next curve ball that comes along. It can be lonely thinking you are on your own and not having much control over things. I wanted to become a youth worker to help young people take some of the control back and to feel good about themselves. 

What do you love about being a youth worker? 

Having a young person come back and say thank you for being there for them, for helping them to be stronger and to manage life, no matter what is happening at that time. 

Melly – Space 4 U Youth Worker

How long have you been a youth worker? 

Since May 2022.

How did you become a youth worker/what drew you to becoming one? 

A colleague approached me and told me about youth work. I wanted to help make a difference to young people’s lives.

What do you love about being a youth worker? 

I love watching the change in a young person who has attended our sessions and seeing them progress and move forward.

Mandy – Sexual Health Youth Worker 

What do you love about being a youth worker

22 years.

What do you love about being a youth worker

I was a young person’s coordinator for The News, Portsmouth. Although the role did not involve talking about issues they may be facing, I found the young people would chat to me about relationships etc. I then saw an advert for a youth worker on an open access night for one evening a week. This was in 1991. 

What do you love about being a youth worker? 

Residentials, Youth Workers, Detached Youth Work, Special Needs Sessions, Social Inclusion.

Iggy – Primary Mental Health U18 Youth Worker 

How long have you been a youth worker? 

3 months.

How did you become a youth worker/what drew you to becoming one? 

I became a youth worker because I wanted to support young people and help them through difficult times. 

What do you love about being a youth worker? 

Having a giggle in the office and meeting some amazing co-workers and young people.