07.11.2024

The vital importance of youth work for Social Mobility, UK: Thought leaders in conversation

Youth work plays a vital role in shaping young people’s lives and expanding their opportunities, especially for social mobility in the UK.

Driven by an ambition to fill gaps in support, mentorship, and guidance for young people, hear from leading youth work professionals:

Nahim Ahmed MBE – Spotlight’s Head of strategic engagement and the Youth and Community Guy.

Samuel Conley – Get Inspired Lead

Katy Thompson – Get Inspired Coordinator

All share a common goal: to empower the next generation to succeed.

Each brings a unique journey and perspective and careers stories. Highlighting the transformative impact of dedicated youth mentors, on themselves personally, and on young people today.

For Nahim, youth work was a chance to become the role model he never had, leveraging his lived experience to uplift young people in his community. Katy’s journey into youth work started with a mentor who believed in her potential and opened doors that set her on her career path. Meanwhile, Samuel’s path was inspired by the scarcity of entry-level guidance for young adults, leading him to invest in programmes that provide self-confidence and career skills.

Through these diverse stories, it becomes clear that youth work does more than support; it fosters social mobility. By encouraging young people to dream beyond their immediate environment, equipping them with life skills, resilience, and ambition.

What inspired you to get into youth work?

Nahim Ahmed MBE: I wanted to become the role model for young people that I never had. I knew that with my lived experience I have the power to transform young lives.

Samuel Conley: After leaving education I was surprised at the lack of entry-level opportunities available and lack of guidance about how to proceed as a young person in society. Through noticing this, I was inspired to try and be part of a future solution and volunteered my time at a local music project to help young people attain confidence, self-esteem and qualifications. This turned into a role, which eventually turned into a long term career.

Katy Thompson: In all honesty, I just fell into it. I was a young person, who had an incredible mentor in the youth space. They saw all that I could achieve and how I could inspire; so she made sure she opened every door she could for me and here I am today.

Why is youth work important for social mobility?

Katy Thompson: Youth Work is important for social mobility, as young people’s typical environment consists of: home and school. Their home is defined by their parents ‘success’ and their school is defined by its location and all the students within it.

Youth Workers allows the young person to be independent of their home or school environment, where they can begin to understand themselves and how they wish to explore the world. Usually, the young people want more from the world and their Youth Workers support them in mobilising society – similar to what my mentor did when I was a young person.

Samuel Conley:  Those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds face the most challenges in progressing into stable work and housing. Youth workers are there to support young people to become the healthiest and most confident versions of themselves that they can be. Youth workers support those with challenges to manage these situations effectively and become happy and healthy individuals. Those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are particularly in need and youth workers help to plug the gaps in support that often exist in education, healthcare, family etc for young people.

Nahim Ahmed MBE: In order to give young people a voice, influence, and a position in their communities and society at large, youth work aims to support their social and personal growth. It helps young people develop resilience and character as well as the self-assurance and life skills need to live, learn, work, and succeed.

What has been your biggest achievement as a youth worker?

Katy Thompson: I would say one of my proudest moments (as can’t steal it as my achievement), was when I first met a young man (17yrs old at the time). I remember when he entered the youth centre, all the young people were intimidated by him and was scared to be in the same space as him. And he held took pride in that. However, over the course of a year, working closely with him, encouraging him to explore his passions and using his strengths to mentor other young people.

That young person is now heavily into politics (well known to leaders in UK’s politics!) and is now looking to run as an MP in England.

Samuel Conley: I particularly feel a sense of achievement when I support a young person into employment. For me, as a young person, this was the most confusing part of growing into becoming a self-sufficient adult, so if I am able to help a young person with this it’s a big win.

Nahim Ahmed MBE: My biggest achievement was being awarded one of the highest honours in the country from HRH King Charles – for my services to young people in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

What has been your highlight?

Nahim Ahmed MBE: One of my highlights include showing up daily over the past 15 years to help transform our communities and beyond. I do this through combining my lived, professional and academic experiences.

Katy Thompson: My biggest achievement as a Youth Worker is opening doors of different opportunities for the young people I work with. Young people who come from different walks of life, young people who may not think they deserve to be in rooms or at tables of influence. The best part of that: when the professionals/decision makers, who typically have a misconception about young people, then hear what the young people have to say and see how they are changemakers and deserving of being the most important people in the room!

Samuel Conley: A highlight of youth work is seeing a young person’s confidence grow day by day when they’re on the right track. Seeing them take new opportunities and build friendships is the best part.

What do you want to see more of in the youth sector?

Nahim Ahmed MBE: I want to see a real commitment and Investment in our sector. This means for the Government to put politics aside and place young people at the heart.

Katy Thompson: More collaboration with young people when it comes to policy changing and decision making.

Samuel Conley: I want to see youth workers and educators recognised and awarded for the work that they do.

How can we take you further towards your goals? Check out #GETINSPIRED programmes at Spotlight.

Get mentored and hands on experience in the youth sector by becoming a volunteer:

Adult Volunteers