DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF YOUTH WORKERS

This weekend, some of our fantastic young volunteers from Sacriston Youth Project and Oxhill Youth Project completed their Level 1 Introduction to Youth Work course during a residential in the Lake District.

This definitely wasn’t a sit-down-and-listen course! The whole residential became part of the learning, with young people developing their knowledge and skills through practical activities, discussions, teamwork and reflection.

Throughout the weekend, they explored:

•  What youth work is and what makes an activity become youth work

•  The knowledge, skills and qualities needed to be an effective youth worker

•  Safeguarding and how to respond when a young person shares a concern

•  Professional boundaries and being friendly without becoming a young person’s friend

•  Understanding behaviour and considering what may be happening beneath the surface

•  Risk assessments, group management and supporting young people safely

•  Leadership, communication, inclusion and problem-solving

•  Planning, delivering and reviewing activities

  
  

The group also took on the adrenaline-filled Honister Via Ferrata and completed a hike through the Lake District. These outdoor activities weren’t simply about completing the challenges. The young volunteers put themselves in the position of youth workers and considered how they would prepare for taking a group of young people, manage risks and different needs, support someone who was frightened or struggling, keep everyone included and respond when plans changed.

Afterwards, they reflected on what had happened, what worked well and what they would do differently if they were leading or supporting an SYP group.

They also worked together to prepare and cook meals, organise packed lunches and keep everything running throughout the residential. This gave them plenty of opportunities to experience leadership, communication and group dynamics in practice, including who stepped forward, who supported others and how they adapted when things didn’t go to plan.

SYP was incredibly proud to deliver this course, and what a privilege it was to pass on our skills, knowledge, experience and passion for youth work to the next generation of youth workers.

We are so proud of everything they achieved and can’t wait to see what comes next!

A brilliant weekend of hands-on, practical youth work learning!