I have been working at SOSYP for seven months now, after starting as a volunteer during the summer programme. During this time I have worked at four different youth clubs in Cam, Dursley, Wotton and Berkeley.

Before Christmas I was based at Wotton and Berkeley. I really enjoyed delivering activities at these clubs, providing information and guidance and forming some great relationships with the young people. The activities delivered normally fit into a theme for the month; for example last month we did a few sessions focussing on thinking about others and walking in their shoes, which included talking about disabilities and also making poppies for remembrance. I remember, however, that some of our most popular sessions involved food, including a chocolate party and guess the food games – no surprise there!

 

This term I continued working at Wotton, but swapped to work at Cam and Dursley, too. It has been fun getting to know a number of new young people, and I have been extremely impressed with the brand new Vibe youth centre at Dursley – the facilities there are amazing and there are a large number of young people who are regularly attending sessions there. For the past few weeks we have been delivering activities within the theme of ‘craftiness’and have been busy making badges, creating sand art and ended the term in an Easter egg hunt. We have also looked at some more serious issues, such as cyber bullying, and have offered a C-Card session at Wotton.

 

However the session that has stood out to me the most was when a member of the Berkeley Town Council visited our youth group last term to discuss with the YP their thoughts on how to improve the town for young people. The young people reacted very positively and had a very good and mature discussion, where they expressed the points of view in extremely articulate ways. I was very impressed with and proud of them for wanting to get involved and change their community for the better.

 

I have thoroughly enjoyed the past seven months with SOSYP and am looking forward to the final term before the summer. It has been brilliant to work with a variety of young people and to build on my previous youth work experience in such a friendly team, and I am really thankful for this opportunity.