This week, Unitas Youth Zone joined in the national celebration of Youth Work Week, highlighting the vital role youth work plays in shaping positive futures for young people. This year’s theme, “A Right to Youth Work for All – Delivering Positive Futures for Young People,” resonates deeply with our mission to provide inclusive, inspiring, and supportive spaces for every young person.
Our young people were at the heart of the celebrations, showcasing the impact youth work has on their lives. Gavishga, one of our Junior members, shared why Chantel, her favourite youth worker, means so much to her: “She’s the best. She’s always energetic, vibrant, and makes everything so fun.”
Championing individual journeys
Aaron, our Inclusion Coordinator, spoke about the importance of understanding young people: “Young people are discovering who they are. It’s for us to support them through that journey.”
This belief underscores everything we do at Unitas. Youth work is about meeting young people where they are and guiding them towards their potential.
Celebrating youth workers
Youth Work Week is also an opportunity to celebrate the amazing people who make it all possible. We’re thrilled to announce that our Volunteer of the Month for October is Alice! Alice has made an incredible impact, from supporting Wednesday sessions in the Sports Hall to volunteering at our Forever Young Hub, part of our Warm Hub programme in partnership with Cadent and Age UK Barnet.
Alice’s nomination highlighted her invaluable contribution:
“Alice’s support on the Forever Young Hub has been fantastic. She’s helped with everything from translation and bingo to encouraging more sign-ups to the Cadent project. Through her initiatives, she has added great value to our offer.”
A big high five to Alice! 🙌
Why youth work matters
Connor Lynch, Head of Youth Work, captures the essence of youth work in his blog, A Week in the Life of a Youth Worker:
“Working in youth work is all about the young people we support, and I love spending time with our members—it always puts a smile on my face and reminds me why I became a youth worker.”
Connor’s words reflect the passion and dedication that drives every youth worker at Unitas.
National perspective
Leigh Middleton, CEO of the National Youth Agency, perfectly sums up the significance of Youth Work Week:
“Youth Work Week really is owned by all those working in and accessing youth work. It’s their chance to celebrate what youth work means to them. We know that youth work transforms lives, but it’s only by seeing the energy and dynamic between young people and their youth workers that you can understand how it builds confidence and life skills, serving as a springboard for success in other areas of their lives.”
As we celebrate Youth Work Week, we encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate the incredible youth workers who create safe and empowering spaces for young people. Let’s continue to champion their right to youth work and ensure every young person has the opportunity to thrive.
We are incredibly proud of all our youth workers. They are a team of skilled and dedicated individuals who truly believe in young people – helping them see their potential and giving them the skills, confidence, and ambition to achieve it. Together, we are helping young people in London reach their potential, no matter their background. Thank you for all that you do! 💙
If you’d like to learn more about how you can get involved in youth work at Unitas, we’d love to hear from you! Email us at recruitment@unitasyouthzone.org to find out more.
