Youth Workers Scrapbook

Youth Workers Scrapbook!

Filled with Free #youthwork Sessions Plans and Youth Voice Data with Actionable Insights

Updated on a monthly basis

youthworkersscrapbook.blogspot.com?m=1

MEASURING IMPACT #YOUTHWORK

The Million-Dollar Question in Youth Work:
How do we measure the impact of our work?

How do we know if we're really making a lasting difference?

Let's move beyond just counting numbers and start measuring what really matters!

REFLECTION #YOUTHWORK

The best youth workers I’ve worked with all have one thing in common:

They reflect. Constantly.

MOTHERS #YOUTHWORK

Although not always the case mothers can play a key role in helping us support their child in Targeted interventions. So in celebration of #mothersday

Here's what I do to make the relationship truly collaborative.

#youthwork

✔️ What’s the one thing young people should take away?
✔️ Can I communicate it simply?
✔️ Can I scale learning engagement without disrupting the flow?

#youthwork 6/6

🔑 The best sessions aren’t the ones that look great on paper when you show your manager, they’re the ones where young people go home having understood and learnt something.

Now, I always ask myself:

1️⃣ Simplicity Wins → Strip it back to one clear focus.
2️⃣ Adapt Mid-Session → If they’re struggling, adjust on the fly.
3️⃣ Age Perspective → If I were their age, would I understand this?

A session only works if the young people understand it.

It didn’t matter how detailed or innovative my plan was, if they couldn’t grasp it quickly, it wasn’t effective.

💡 What I learned:

I was convinced it would be my best session yet.

But once we started, chaos unfolded.

❌ Young people were confused.
❌ Multi choice answers met with confused questions.
❌ Frustration replaced Engagement.

That was the moment it hit me
By the end, I was explaining more than they were learning.

SIMPLE SESSIONS #YOUTHWORK

Early in my youth work career, I designed what I thought was the perfect session on the dangers of stereotypes for a group of young people aged 12-13.

→ Relevant real world examples
→ Multiple choice answers
→ Layered counters to promote discussion

1/6

I asked 50 males and 50 females aged between 12-16 if they like to engage with certain activities at our youth hubs. Here are the answers #youthwork

I asked 75 young people that i work with whats the single biggest concern for them in our local area, See the data picture for answers in full. #youthwork

To better understand the positive impact of youth clubs I work in, I asked 66 young people aged between 12-16 how they felt their life had improved since coming to youth club. Here are the results #youthwork

Things to Highlight on your #youthwork CV

1. Your expertise! Showcase what makes you unique:

2 Mentoring experience and successful programmes

3• Training that eligns with your expertise

4 • #youthworkers success under your leadership

5 • Technical knowledge - analysis, measuring outcomes

Focused activities are great tools to have the best conversations with young people #youthwork

#youthwork

Dont run session like everyone else!

Use ur personality to run sessions the way u do.

Remember

Make more decisions = make more mistakes

Its all learning #youthwork

Watched the knife crime doc on BBC, Horrifying watch!. Politicians must corelate the data of the increase in violence with the closing down of activities for young people. The youth dont just need policing they need resourcing!

More youth clubs
More Free activities
Employment opportunites

In #youthwork where generations change and you have to adapt to new ways its always important to keep learning

Love the process

#youthwork is an infinite skill; no one ever "completes" it.

A growth mindset, curiosity, and enthusiasm are crucial for longevity.

Organic learning matters

Experiences in #youthwork, even in unpredictable environments, shape essential skills.

Whats your thoughts?

Im a big advocate for open access youth groups.

I think for too long we have only prioritise Targeted #Youthwork when both should coexists.

I did a consultation feedback form woth young people recently and safe space was words that they used a couple times so i got no issue with the term

Ingrediants for an attractive (to young people) youth provision

1. Engaging Activities
2.Trusted #youthworkers
3. Food

#youthwork

Reflection in #youthwork

#youthwork

Dont get to reliant on your Qualifications to get a job in #youthwork

80% of where you could progress to as a #youthworker will be through a combination of having work mentors, networking and standards you commit to.

Last week I apologised to a young person for blaming them for something.

Vulnerability, accountability, and self-reflection (such as apologising for mistakes) build respect and rapport.

It enables young people to see their #youthworker as a relatable, supportive human being.

#youthwork

4️⃣ Encourage Dialogue: Supervisions should be a conversation, not a lecture.

They need to feel open to challenge feedback, celebrate wins, ask for support and address if you as a manager are meeting their needs.

Staff tell me they look forward to our supervisions which is a win for me #youthwork