Hi Guys I’m Ali, I’m nineteen. I’m currently a youth leader at the curious school of the wild. My journey to how I got into youth work started at the women’s centre. I was a service user and was supported by them through one to one therapy and group ages thirteen to eighteen. And then I began the transition into YEW grads which is a group of women who have finished their support at the centre and are now co-facilitating group work with girls age eleven to eighteen. During group work we cover topics of Abuse,Misogyny, Body image and more. Working with these girls throughout group has given me a passion to create change for young people. In the summer of 2023 I found out about curious And became a youth leader in October since then my passion for youth work has gotten stronger.
I admittedly was overwhelmed with anxiety before my first day. Convincing myself that I wouldn’t be cut out for this job, and telling myself I could not fit in with a group of people who already had known each other for years at this point. I managed to push through my anxious thoughts and did my first shift.
I instantly was met with kindness From Nik and the other youth leaders , and after that first evening I felt a sense of relief. I came home that evening beaming and telling my Dad about how much better it had gone than I had expected. I could tell he was happy to see me pushing out my comfort zone and actually Enjoying it!
Over those first few months I found the young people warming up to me more and more and my anxieties starting to become less. Trying to remind myself on the bad days that i am cut out for this. I can do this.
After 9 months in I believe I have learnt a lot about how youth are perceived in the eyes of adults. They see a group of young people outdoors and deem them as anti social “up to no good”. I know that people my age would’ve have faced similar judgment but believe youth are seen as more violent nowadays. When this is certainly not the case with every individual. But have found it hard to explain this to other adults due to my alternative look and my age feeling like I’m not being taken seriously. And with how I was treated in school by teachers, At fourteen I was labelled a “problem child” by an older male teacher whilst I was having some difficulties at home. That label has haunted me over the years. Looking back on that time I feel extremely let down by some of the adults in my life, for letting me believe the narrative I was a “bad kid”, when in reality I was a young person struggling. From some of the conversations I’ve had with the young people I’ve realised a lot of them faced similar stereotypes and have been judged for their background.
The people that pass judgment aren’t seeing the importance of the safe space That’s been created for the young people to come chat, play games, have food and be themselves. Which I think is especially important for our young people who are struggling with their mental health and home life, being able to have somewhere they can go where they feel truly heard and seen.
I’ve been so inspired by so many of the young people. I’ve done things with the curious crew that I never thought I would or could do, such as the expedition, camping, art, sport & cooking. All things if you told me a year ago I wouldn’t believe I’d be doing now.
I find it emotional seeing the progress that I’ve made in a year as I’ve struggled with my depression for years it got so debilitating i was struggling with getting out of bed and I had to drop out of sixth form. But finding the spark in me again after the years of struggle has been a beautiful experience. And Knowing I’ll be making a positive impact on the young people is a very rewarding feeling. It has given me a sense of hope that I didn’t have before, knowing how much I would’ve benefited from a group like this, and being able to be the person I didn’t have is an incredible honour.
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