Painting over cracks helps for a while
Feeding time at the ZOO
Its not looking good today, is it?
Richard the lonely staff
Mikhail, no star for me
Youth work first aid - Healed femur
Some Youth workers leave for eva
It's good to have a bike in de city
Youth work is not good for your eye sight
I'm getting on for a Youth worker
Mary O'Deavaney
We are not Chukchi wondering in the snow!
Why am I a Youth worker?
“Why am I a Youth worker?” is the title of an ongoing project exploring the role of those employed to work with young people. The main focus of this emerging profession is to identify and develop programmes to enable young people to realise thier potential, especially those deemed to be socially disadvantaged and marginalised to a lesser or greater degree by mainstream society. This is tough work requiring serious dedication and devotion. So the big question is why would one continue to work in a sector that doesn’t offer the same benefits or opportunities such as teaching and social work?
“Choosing this profession is fraught with challenges. The environment is extreme, resources are scarce, progress is slow, success is invisible, and poverty is everywhere. Continuous training is not mandatory, the career path is short. There is no or low pension provision. Late nights, weekends and no overtime are guaranteed. Work life balance is not family friendly”.
This work explores this nascent profession’s identity, Who dares to stay or leave and when they do, why? and does this connects to wider society’s expectations and values.