Youth Workers make positive changes for young people

We’re currently celebrating Youth Work Week, so we’ve decided to ask some of our youth workers what they love about their jobs the most.

Dean Latham Youth Worker for Northwich & Winsford says: “I love being responsible for a positive change a young person has made in their life, no matter how small or big that change may be. I also love being a positive role model as I feel it is important in the work we do, as we play starring roles in the young peoples’ lives and they rely on us to make change.

Dean’s role involves planning and delivering group youth work sessions for both mainstream and young people with SEN alongside supporting his staff team. Dean also delivers 1-1s to support to young people who may need new ways of looking at there situation be that in their homes, the activities they undertake and the risks they are putting themselves into.

Dean became a youth worker after initially thinking of becoming a social worker. He explains: “My background is that I am a care leaver who has been through the system in varying circumstances, and I have always been passionate about being able to turn a negative into a positive.

“I have worked in a number of different roles in the past from Residential worker to schools worker, and I always wanted to work with young people to make positive change. I felt I wanted to be social worker with my own lived experience but soon changed my mind once I experienced what it is like to be a youth worker, as it was the best job for me. I have never looked back as I feel it is the best way to engage with young people and is right for them.”

Bethany Bodin is a Youth Inclusion Worker and has been a new addition to the team. She says: “A working day for me varies, but every week involves spending time in our youth clubs with our amazing young people.

“The thing I love most about the job is meeting lots of brilliant young people and being able to adapt our spaces to create fun sessions for them!”

Bethany has lots of skills she’s gained in the past that she can use as a Youth Inclusion Worker. She admits: “I’ve worked with young people in Primary and Secondary schools and further education. I have a degree in fine art, a masters in secondary school teaching and have worked in West End theatre for the Royal Ballet.”

We are excited to see how Dean and Bethany’s careers develop at Cheshire West and Chester council.