WCHG’s Detached Youth Worker Programme
Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG) has launched a new detached youth work Project in Wythenshawe as part of their youth involvement team.
Youth workers now work across several Wythenshawe ‘hotspots’ with a brief to make contact and work with young people aged 11-25 years, particularly those who choose not to engage with existing youth support services in the area.
Detached youth workers meet young people in a variety of different settings from shopping areas to parks or wherever they choose to ‘hang out’. What makes detached youth work different is that is focuses on contact and the development of relationships with young people on their own ‘territory’.
In doing so, workers can provide basic advice and support on a wide range of topics that affect young people and can offer them support with personal, social and educational opportunities that are available through WCHG’s youth involvement and employment & enterprise teams as well as other organisations in the area.
WCHG Lead Detached Worker Curtis Berry said, “It allows us to engage with young people to help capture the voice of the next generation of potential tenants. Encouraging them to express an opinion in their community and actively engage in their local neighbourhood and show them how they can effect there community in a positive way. We work to help young people learn more about their rights and responsibilities as a community member and offer access to training and education. The ability to offer an early intervention approach to resolving conflicts are often best achieved through detached youth work “
The project is currently looking for adult volunteers to work with young people aged 10 to 19 years in a variety of roles including administration, fundraising and direct contact.
If you have a genuine interest in working with young people, or can pass on useful street locations where young people are currently congregate then please contact the Youth Involvement Team at YouthInvolvement@wchg.org.uk.
