05/11/10
Volunteering unearths a passion and a career for Caldicot Youth Worker
A Caldicot teenager who set out with the intention of doing a few hours voluntary work at his local youth centre loved it so much that it’s turned into a full time career.
Dan Davies first signed up to volunteer at the Caldicot Youth Centre when he was 15 just to get some points towards his Duke of Edinburgh Award.
But he found himself bitten by the bug and now five years later, Dan is a qualified Youth Worker with a full-time role with the Monmouthshire Youth Service, helping other young people engage with local youth activities.
And to progress in his chosen career he’s combining his job with part-time study towards his diploma in youth and community work.
Dan is one of nearly 20,000 youth workers running a huge range of council-backed and voluntary youth activities and support services that benefit nearly 300,000 young people across Wales.
All of this work is being celebrated during Youth Work Week (November 1 – 7) when special events are being held across the country to encourage even more youngsters to get involved in activities in their localities.
Dan 20, enjoyed his initial taste of youth work so much he decided to stay after his official volunteering period came to an end. He recalled: “At the age of 15 I’d never considered volunteering for anything but I needed to put in a few hours in order to get my Duke of Edinburgh. I thought it would be a quick in-and-out experience but I loved the youth centre and quickly discovered that I had a real passion both for volunteering and for working with other young people.”
This passion led Dan to leave school at the age of 16 to become a full-time youth club worker at the Caldicot Youth Centre, before being named as the club leader. In order to boost his qualifications Dan, with encouragement from other youth centre volunteers, decided to undertake an NVQ Youth and Community Work as well as health and safety and child protection qualifications.
Having successfully gained these qualifications, Dan is now going into his second year at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff where he is studying for his diploma in youth and community work.
“I wanted to get a diploma so that I’m better able to help young people, they will give me theoretical and practical knowledge of working with young people. The qualifications will not only benefit me but the children as well.”
Speaking of the importance of youth work Dan said: “Youth work and is hugely important. It gives young people so many opportunities they might not otherwise have. For example we’re organising a youth trip to Bologna, Italy in November. As part of the trip we’re going to the European Parliament’s Conference on child poverty. Those on the trip will benefit from great life experience and also the opportunity to speak and have their opinions on child poverty heard.”
Georgina Jones Youth and Community Manager with Monmouth Youth Service said: “Dan has been fantastic since he joined us five years ago and is an inspiration not only to other volunteers but also to the young people who come into the centres he works in. He has a real passion for youth work which other people just seem to feed off. He’s been on an incredible journey and has become a valuable member of our team.”
Dan said: “Never in a million years did I think that I’d end up in youth work. I’m so fortunate to have found my passion and to be doing something that I really enjoy, while also helping young people in Wales. I’d recommend that all young people give youth work a go because, like me, they may unearth a passion that they never knew they had!”
Huw Lewis, Minister for Children said Youth Work Week was a great opportunity to applaud the huge contribution made by Wales’ 20,000 workers to the wellbeing of Wales.
He said: “Young people experience many challenges and opportunities as they grow to adulthood and it’s important they take advantage of the many excellent services provided by voluntary groups and statutory agencies across Wales to help them overcome hurdles, develop their potential and prepare for a fulfilling future.”
For information on Youth Work Week visit: www.thankssam.org.uk
