I am Edwina and I am currently NYY’s Youth and Community Development Worker for Richmondshire. I have worked with children and young people for over 40 years, beginning my career working in early years, before entering the youth work sector, where I have spent the past 25 years.
In my current role, I help communities set up, run and sustain voluntary youth clubs and projects. That includes everything from developing new youth groups and consulting with young people, to helping volunteers understand the value and impact of youth work and supporting them with things like funding applications and resources.
I regularly visit existing youth groups to offer guidance and encouragement – and I also work closely with other groups and agencies to make sure young people get the wider support they need. Every day looks a bit different, and there’s never a dull moment!
One recent project I have been involved in, is the building of a new community centre and development work in the old park in Catterick. My input has been to consult with young people on what they would like, including the type of skate park that would best suit their needs and to convey the young people’s ideas to the developers. I have also been able to meet the artist involved in creating murals and sculptures for this project and arranged for them to visit the youth clubs to work with young people.
Over the years I have worked with small children, have watched them grow into teenagers and then into adults who are now the parents of teenagers attending youth clubs today, which I find amazing! I have also worked with young people needing support over the years who have since gone into careers of their own working with children and young people and offering the nurture they need- I find this very rewarding.
Edwina Anderson, Youth and Community Development work, Richmondshire.