Finding Inspiration

It’s been just over two months since I arrived. It feels like I’ve been here for much longer! I took over from Aysha as the Youth Development Officer in mid-April, moving to London for the job from my slightly sleepy home-town, Bedford. I have lived in this area of Camden before so it’s not completely new, and in some ways it feels like I never really left. Coming to the Winch has been like coming home.

Home – this word continually echoes in our building. The children and young people who we have the privilege of caring for and working with often refer to the Winch as a ‘home-from-home’. It is a reflection of our core values and identity. We strive to be a place of belonging, for people from many walks of life. Not only to 4-25 year olds, but for their families, the staff and volunteers, and other building users. We offer a large building with an even larger heart.

Since starting here I have been speaking to young people, getting to know them and what they think the local needs are, meeting other professionals, doing detached work in the schools and community, and running open access sessions in our newly decorated basement. We have a music studio being fitted this week, and big dreams for establishing that as a place for expression and creativity, nurturing the talent we’ve already seen in the young people. We have some day trips planned for the summer holidays, and ideas about putting together a mural on the youth centre wall.

But throughout this hive of activity, I continually spend time reflecting about what the youthwork should look like, our vision for young people in Camden, and what makes us different from other youth clubs. What are we trying to achieve? How can we provide a meaningful service to young people in Swiss Cottage? What does it take to get past hopelessness and disillusion that many are feeling in this challenging economic climate? Where will we be in six months time if our funding is cut?

I have at times felt like the task is too big – I want to see young people free to live fully being everything they can be. But I get saddened by the difficulties I see young people trying to work through. I get angry by the injustice that exists in our culture, where some children have more access than others to positive educational, social, cultural and economical opportunities. It’s not fair that young people are today growing up with huge problems relating to friendships and postcodes, resulting in untimely deaths from pointless violent incidents.

“We must learn to live as if the impossible is possible. Though there are no guarantees that everything will change if we do, is it absolutely certain that nothing will change if we don’t.” (Dave Andrews 1999)

I find inspiration and encouragement in surprising places. The other day I was on the tube doing the daily morning commute. I’ve taken to not wearing music-filled earphones any more in an attempt to be more present and connected with my fellow travellers. Occasionally I hear brilliant sound-bites. One such conversation I overheard was between a little boy and his grandma: “Grandma, I’m not scared of walking down the stairs. No I’m not scared anymore. Because I am brave.”

This simple statement made me smile, and summarised so well the beauty found in freedom from fear. My colleague reminded me of a quote – one of my favourites – often accredited to Nelson Mandela but originally written by Marianne Williamson:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us… We are all meant to shine, as children do. As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

This encapsulates everything I long the Winch to be to our community. A place where children, young people and adults are encouraged to shine, free from fear – to love themselves and others, to share and nurture their talents and abilities, to challenge and grow as individuals and friends. The way to tackle disillusionment, despair, and disconnectedness begins with empathy, hope and empowerment. The Winch is not about programmes and projects – we are about people and relationships. Youthworkers are not here to entertain and police young people for a couple of hours an evening – we’re here to journey with young people through joy and sorrow for the long-term.

So, lots to do… better get going! Drop by and say hello if you’re near.

Peace,

Clare