National Youth Work Week 2009 will take place from 1-7 November and this year focuses on two key qualities that youth workers have always helped impart and which young people need in their future endeavours – resilience and resourcefulness.

Young people need to be able to bounce back from life’s disappointments and setbacks and to carry on in pursuit of their aspirations. Also of great importance is encouraging young people to dig deep inside to find and use resources that help respond to life’s opportunities and risks.

Youth work plays an important part in the lives and development of young people throughout North East Lincolnshire and this week provides an opportunity to celebrate successes.

Every year Youth Work Week is used by a wide variety of youth organisations to celebrate the work they do. This year, North East Lincolnshire Council is highlighting the wealth of good work done throughout the borough that helps young people to deal with the difficulties life can place in their way and the support they receive  to carry on to enjoy their lives and meet their potential.

Success stories include Joff Westerman and Damien Tominey who have been nominated for an Outstanding Contribution Award at this year’s prestigious Making a Difference in Yorkshire and Humber Awards following their work with the Modern Apprentice Team, part of the Sports Lincs Initiative.

The Young Carer’s Project also has helped a great number of young people throughout the borough, an example is Beth, a young carer from North East Lincolnshire. A young career is a young person aged 8 – 19 who has a significant caring role for someone in their household who has a long  term illness or disability. Beth has been supporting her mum, who has severe mobility issues, for the past five years. 

Beth first joined the Young Carers Project in March 2009. At this time Beth was receiving support from the NEETS (Not In Education, Employment or Training) Project. Prior to this Beth had not been in formal education since year nine when she was withdrawn by her family due to issues around bullying and dyslexia.

With the help and support Beth received from the Project she is now working towards the bronze ASDAN, an environmental ASDAN award and the bronze Youth Achievement Award.

These two examples serve to highlight the importance of youth work and the positive effect it is having on the young people of North East Lincolnshire.

Cllr Tony McCabe, portfolio holder for children and family services, said: “Youth Work Week provides a fantastic opportunity for the excellent work of the youth service to be recognised. North East Lincolnshire Council works hard to improve opportunities and outcomes for all young people in the borough. It is important to acknowledge the achievement of these young people who have made positive decisions to improve their lives”.