It seems that youth work, at times, does not get the credit that it so very much deserves. Often frowned upon, youth work can be seen as nothing more than a worker playing pool with young people and the question can often arise “what is its purpose?” Youth work is so much more than that, and like a complex puzzle has many vital pieces that help build its true picture. But it is the youth workers themselves from which youth work really comes to life. The facts are that if people struggle to understand the ever building issues that young people continue to face within contemporary society, then of course youth work will be viewed as nothing more than a worker playing pool with young people. But if people are instead able to step back and seriously consider the various struggles that young people face when trying to conform to the way in which society expects them to, then they can begin to see youth work in its truest form and begin to understand just how incredibly important a role it plays. The truth is that many young people find it very difficult when riding the rapids of mainstream influence which can often lead to a sea of issues. Once contrived, these issues can run deep often causing financial instability, mental health problems, drug and alcohol issues and at worst homelessness. And all of which lead to social exclusion.
These relationships are generally built on trust and respect which are vital in allowing a youth worker to tread where other professionals cannot. If the youth worker has the trust of a young person then he or she will be able to offer pieces of advice and guidance that are designed to help the young person positively progress and all without causing any offence. Furthermore, if the youth worker is skilled enough, then he or she will be able to stay flexible to the needs of young people whilst also portraying positive character traits that will help encourage positive behaviours. Their skill set can include the ability to be able to just listen without taking their own issues into account and they can possess the ability to be a leader, a coach, a facilitator and a friend. And with an empathetic and understanding approach thrown in, the pool of successful outcomes can just get deeper. With a skill set so sharp the youth worker has the ability to help young people explore their social interactions, their relationships with the world, and most importantly help young people understand exactly where and how they fit into the ever changing climate. If you feel you or someone you know could benefit from some support, please contact us for more information or to book an appointment with one of our counsellors.
01295 259 442 2 Chandos Close, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 4TL counselling@byhp.org.uk
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BYHP BlogOur blog is a great way to stay up to date with current events and projects, stories from our young people and the general goings on at BYHP. Archives
January 2021
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