HideOut Youth Zone is a charity in Manchester that provides opportunities and experiences to young people in the local area through its state-of-the-art facilities. At HideOut, Youth Workers are essential to supporting young people’s development and we recently spoke with one of them, Xaio Marrett, about his experiences. In his role, Xaio works with the young people to create a safe and fun environment and help them develop new skills.
How did you get into your role of a Youth Worker?
I got into Youth Work because I was a member of HideOut Youth Zone, so I know first-hand how impactful these centres can be on young people. Because of my own relationships with youth workers, I saw it as a highly rewarding job and decided to volunteer myself. This showed me how great it is to be a youth worker, and I have now been at HideOut for four years.
Can you describe what an average day as a Youth Worker involves?
Every day in Youth Work is completely different, but I would say that an average day as a Youth Worker consists of planning what your session is going to look like. Another large part of what we do is being patient with the young people!
What is your favourite thing about being a Youth Worker?
There are lots of benefits of Youth Work, but my favourite part is giving back to the community and helping young people learn and have fun. Empower Youth Zones gives young people a safe place to go to, while also providing them with skills for their future.
Can you tell us about the best memory you have in your role?
Every day at HideOut Youth Zone brings new memories. I have always loved getting involved with the cooking and hospitality activities and teaching young people how to cook delicious food. One of my favourite memories of this is of all the young people coming up to me, asking me to make them some mac and cheese.
What are some of the key qualities that you need to be a Youth Worker?
From my time working as a Youth Worker some key qualities that stand out would be being patient and a fun bubbly person. However, my biggest tip is to just be yourself!
What would you say to anyone that is considering a career in Youth Work?
If you’re considering a job in Youth Work, I would say that you should just go for it and take the opportunities it brings. Even though there are times when youth work can feel very challenging and demanding, it is the most rewarding job. It is not only fun, but you are also making a difference to children’s lives through the support you provide.
Why does every child deserve access to a Youth Worker?
Every child deserves access to a Youth Worker and a Youth Centre because it helps them develop new skills outside of school in a fun and safe environment. This will help keep them off the street and prevent antisocial behaviour as they have somewhere enjoyable to go to, keeping them busy.
