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Cardiff's Youth Workers share their stories. Youth Work Week 23rd - 30th June 2023
23/6/2023
Youth workers from across the city have shared their stories to coincide with this year's Youth Work Week in Wales (23rd- 30thJune 2023),an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the impact and diversity of youth work,with the aimto promote a wider understanding of and support for youth work.
The open, honest and often heart-warming accounts give an insight into what the day of a youth worker in Cardiff looks like, how they first got into the role, career highlights and what keeps them in the job.
Tyler Cook, a Youth Mentor for Looked After Children had career plans to be a nurse but after falling into a work placement in a youth club, describes the feeling of "when you know, you know."
She said: "I found my passion for working with young people and making a difference. The impact our role has on young people, the consistency we give them and empathy of the trauma they have been through, allows us to build a relationship through trust, helping to support them to make a difference.
"We have had past young people that have been at risk of being NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and by working with them with unconditional positive regard, consistency and support, they can go on to achieve, with many of them have going on to secure post-16 destinations at college, training or employment.
"Throughout the entirety our caseloads we are always aiming to make a difference to our young people and achieve positive outcomes with them."
Tyler has worked in the Youth Offending Service, provided support in a semi-independent living hostel for 16-18-year-old care leavers and has worked in a residential home with young people - experiences which has led her to the role of a Looked After youth mentor.
Darryl is a Senior Youth Support Worker based in Splott. "I got into youth work six years ago. My previous job was an activity instructor for an outdoor company and we would regularly get youth groups and groups from pupil referral units visit the centre to do activities. I very quickly built up a good relationship with the staff and young people. I enjoyed working with young people who sometimes present with challenging behaviour. When a job came up within the youth service, I was asked if I wanted to apply for it and retrain to be a youth worker.
"This excited me as when I was growing up youth workers were an important part of my teenage life and going to youth clubs was brilliant."
Darryl's role is varied, from managing the evening open access provisions to growing the youth offer for young people in the area and delivering projects to young people about gangs.
He continued: "Young people who access Eastmoors Youth Centre know that it is a safe space for them and there is always someone to listen and offer support. We pride ourselves on being able to offer young people this support and in the winter months offer young people a hot drink and food to help with the cost of living crisis."
You see more stories from Cardiff Youth Workers on Cardiff Council's social media channels throughout the course of the week or read them here:DAY IN THE LIFE OF A YOUTH WORKER - DIWRNOD MEWN BYWYD GWEITHIWR IEUENCTID (padlet.com)
Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty and Supporting Young People, Cllr Peter Bradbury said; "I used to attend North Ely Youth Centre myself when I was younger so I am aware of the invaluable provision, support and help that the Youth Service provides.
"City-wide theprovision welcomes hundreds of young people, providing a lifeline for many young people in the local area, giving them a place to go, someone to talk to and an opportunity to take part in informal education based on their needs.
"I would encourage anyone who is interested in starting a career in Youth Work to find out more and join this invaluable and important team that helps and supports so many."
Cardiff Youth Services have made a film featuring young people, speaking in their own words about the impact the provision has made on them, you can view it here:
To find out more about Cardiff Youth Service follow them on social media;
Facebook & Instagram - @CardiffYouthService
Twitter - @YouthCardiff
or visit their websitewww.cardiffyouthservices.wales
