The important role that youth work plays in society

Jamies Duffill • May 09, 2023
An image of a female child sat at a table wearing a pink jumper, a cream woolly hat. She is putting on a pair of black gloves and looking into the distance.

Youth work plays a vital role in society in shaping children and young people's learning, self-development as well as help them to take positive steps forward within their lives. In this article, we explore the nature of youth work, its social value, and how you can volunteer to support children and young people in York.

 

What is youth work?

Youth work is all about supporting the emotional, social, and educational development of young people. The National Youth Agency identifies three key purposes at the heart of youth work:

  • To explore young people’s values, beliefs, ideas and issues
  • To enable them to develop their voice, influence and place in society
  • To acquire a set of practical or technical skills and competencies, to realise their full potential

 

Youth work aims to build young people’s social and emotional wellbeing through a range of recreational activities such as sport, art, and music. Such activities are the means rather than the ends of a child’s social development. For example, playing football as part of a team can foster social skills such as leadership, team work, and determination. These are just a few of the many attributes that youth workers seek to nurture in young people.

 

At The Island, we tailor our approach to each mentee. One mentee may benefit from a one to one mentorship, whereas another may come to thrive within a group setting. We learn about each young person as an individual to ensure that they gain the most from the services that we provide.

 

How can youth work impact a young person’s life?

A lack of support at such a crucial stage in an individual's development can have lifelong impacts. Academics at the University of Harvard found that 50% of all mental health problems start by the age of 14. Furthermore, research conducted by the Centre for Mental Health shows that children from the lowest income households are four times more likely to experience mental health issues than those from the highest earning families. The evidence demonstrates the importance of timely access to support. The Island works to meet this need through the creation of positive mentoring relationships, with the purpose of building the confidence and resilience of young people in York.

 

 

Youth work and society

Youth work has significant societal benefits. A landmark study by scholars at the University of Illinois proved its value as a method of developing the emotional and academic wellbeing of the most vulnerable in our society. Sadly, those in power have failed to fully recognise its social benefit. An investigation by YMCA found that since 2010, state funding in youth services has fallen by 73%. Ultimately, young people are negatively impacted if they lack the positive, stable support networks that youth centres provide. Tom Madders, Director of Campaigns at Young Minds, emphasised the importance of youth services, describing them as a ‘lifeline’ for many young people. Without these organisations, young people’s needs ‘escalate’ which ‘sometimes results in crisis and more acute intervention’. This pattern is illustrated by the increase in local government spending on crisis services for children and young people, which has risen from £5.6 billion to £7.2 billion in the last decade. 

 

The role of the charity sector in providing youth services has become increasingly pivotal during the past decade. Funding cuts have resulted in charities stepping up to play a crucial part in providing youth services across the country. Many rely on voluntary support and donations to deliver their much needed services. At The Island, our volunteers are positive role models for young people, providing the guidance and support that they need to thrive.

 

How can you support young people in York?

The Island mentors’ children and young people from across the city. Volunteers can be a mentor as part of group sessions, or on a one to one basis. Currently, there are 62 individual mentoring relationships supported by The Island and 36 mentees attending group sessions. The Island has also recently launched a youth club at Foxwood Community Centre. The club is for any young person from the ages of 13-18. It runs every Tuesday evening from 7-9pm. There are a wide range of activities on offer, including:

  • Board Games
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Football
  • Baking 


The Island is always looking for volunteers, whether you are mentoring a young person, leading our group sessions, or supporting our youth club. To see all of our available volunteering opportunities at The Island, please click here.


By Emma Bewlay 28 Sep, 2023
What interested you about becoming an Island Volunteer Mentor? I was interested in volunteering and personal development to enhance my career prospects. I was at a stage where I was confused as to where I wanted to go next but I knew I was good with people, and I knew that my personality would suit working one to one with a young person. I knew that I could pass on good advice and life experience. How long did you mentor for The Island? I mentored for around 15 months. Every week for around 2 hours on a Thursday night. Sometimes we would miss a session due to various factors, but these sessions were caught up on. What did you enjoy most about the Mentoring? I enjoyed being able to experience many different activities with my young person and being able to see their confidence grow. I enjoyed catching up and hearing stories from the week and focusing my attention on that session. Different social settings allowed me to guide my young person and relay stories from my experience which I knew would be helpful. This was enjoyable as I knew I was passing on vital helpful advice for adulthood. Why do you think Mentoring is important for young people? I think in today's world with social media and the stresses on life can be overwhelming for everyone. For a young person to be guided by a mentor, they can step away from that world for a short while and express themselves or let off steam in an environment where they can be nurtured and not judged. With the guidance of a mentor, the young person can take the advice into everyday life which will hopefully help them in difficult and stressful situations. The young person can build up a relationship with the mentor and know that they have trust in them to be able to openly talk about their feelings away from a family, friend it school setting. Please let us know how you have found the support from the island and which aspects you have found the most valuable? I found the support very good and easy to access. I knew that if I needed any support or advice, I could email or call my supervisor. I found the group sessions with other mentors helpful as we could come together and talk about our experience and use any advice in future sessions. Hearing stories from other mentoring experiences was highly valued. Has the Island supported you with any future plans personally or professionally? If so, could you share this with us? The island has kept in touch with me regarding several career opportunities throughout the mentoring process that I have considered. I know that I could sit with the island and discuss any plans if I needed to. Most of all, they have helped my confidence and gave me a platform to express myself and follow my goals which has put me in good stead for next move in my career as a health trainer. The skills and experience I have gained from my mentoring will be transferred over to this next role. At the Island, we are constantly looking for people who have the ability to listen, and who feel that they can develop a positive rapport with children and young people in an honest, challenging and non-judgemental way. All prospective volunteer mentors receive training, support and supervision. This covers such areas as communication, child protection, equal opportunities and often, in the process mentors learn more about themselves, too. To find out more about our volunteer opportunities please click here www.theislandyork.org
A seafront images of North Landing, Flamborough in Bridlington
By Jamie Duffill 18 May, 2023
The Island works in many ways to support children and their families in York. This article explores the importance of ensuring that all families have the opportunity to go holiday, and how The Island helps people take a break from the pressures of daily life. The Summer Holidays With summer approaching, children and young people will begin to look forward to the holidays. For many, they offer a welcome extended break from school and a chance to make new memories with family and friends. However, for others, they represent a more challenging time. The cost of living crisis has placed the greatest financial pressure on families for a generation. The Office for National Statistics reports that the price of consumer goods has risen ‘at the fastest rate in four decades in the year to October 2022’. Inflation is having the greatest impact on the most vulnerable in our society. The Resolution Foundation found that the lowest income households spend three times more of their family budget on gas and electricity energy bills than the highest. In this context, many parents are having to cut back on holiday plans in order to ensure their children have the essentials that they need. The Family Holiday Charity report that 2.2 million families with dependent children are unable to afford a one week holiday in the UK. This is a startling figure, and one that is expected to rise as the cost of living crisis continues. What does The Island offer families? We believe that every family deserves to spend time together away from the stresses of everyday life. The Island has a holiday property in Bridlington, which offers children the chance to relax and reconnect with their families. In 2019, we helped sixteen families have a week long holiday, and ten families take a weekend break. A parent of a mentee at The Island said that the property provided “a space we can be together, away from the daily grind, and to have a laugh”. They went on to describe their time away as “life-changing”. We’re committed to providing more of these priceless experiences to families in York. How can you support families in York? If you’d like to support us to help more families visit our holiday property by making a donation, please click here . Alternatively, if you’d like to view the current volunteering opportunities at The Island, such as being a mentor, fundraiser, or content writer, click here .
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