Introducing youth work

In youth work what you see is rarely what you get. On the surface it can appear that not much is going on. We might see young people hill walking, developing DJ skills, or hanging about talking. However, youth work is more than activity. It is, at heart, about relationship and association – connecting and being with others – and the good that can flow from this. It entails:

Focussing on young people, their needs, experiences and contribution.

Building relationships that allow people to grow and flourish.

Encouraging all to join together in friendship to organize and take part in groups and activities.

Creating moments for reflection, learning and for thinking about change.

Working on the basis of choice. Young people can accept or reject the invitation to take part.

It takes special kinds of people to work well in this way. They need to be flexible, open and to know themselves. They also have to be experienced as having integrity and character, and as having a heart for young people.

Find out more about our approach to youth work - watch Journeying together and read the support materials