Maria’s story: Reflections from my time on the Youth Board

Maria shares her journey from joining a local youth club in Hackney to becoming an active voice on London Youth’s Youth Board.   

I joined London Youth’s Youth Board around three years ago. I first got involved when my youth worker, Bella from Hackney Quest, encouraged me to try something new and meet other like-minded young people. Since then, I’ve met such interesting peers. It’s great when young people are involved in decisions affecting society. After all, they are part of it!  

Youth organisations support young people outside of formal education. This includes encouraging young people to step out of their comfort zones and meet new people, learn, and become active members of the community. Unfortunately, these aspects can be overlooked during school hours when we are all busy reaching for top grades and following essay structures.  

Stepping out of my comfort zone  

Joining my youth club, aged 15, was a real life-changer. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and joined the HeadStart Action programme. What had begun as wanting to do something during the holidays became a truly life-changing experience. I completed the programme having internally taken a 180 degree turn, by developing confidence, public speaking skills and a passion for striving to the best of my ability in all aspects of my life. 

It came as quite a surprise to be asked to co-host the HeadStart Action celebration event at the GLA’s City Hall. From joining the Head Start Action programme to celebrating the achievements at its conclusion, we were able to collectively reflect on the impact the programme had made across London. If you were to tell me a few years ago that I would give a speech at City Hall, I wouldn’t have believed you!   

Since then, I have had the pleasure of getting involved with a few more great opportunities, including being able to speak on a panel at a Business Breakfast, representing London Youth’s Youth Board. It was a great experience where I was able to share my thoughts on the importance of youth services and work experience opportunities for young people. From feeling shy about participating in general group projects to giving a speech at the GLA, good youth work goes a long way, and the beneficial impact made spans years.  

Building connections across London  

Being part of the Youth Board brings young people from across London, to discuss UK and London-wide issues. We’re able to learn from a diverse range of experiences and feel connected as young Londoners, sharing our similarities and learning from each other’s uniqueness. What many people do not realise is that each London borough is distinct and holds its own character. Being able to meet with young people from all sides of London, share our similarities and distinctive characters, unites us. From sharing the stress of exams to worrying about the cost of living, we stand united in the hopes of making a positive impact for our peers and for the future of the city. 

Youth work helps young people develop holistically and supports us to make a positive impact on our community. Being surrounded by youth workers who are welcoming, supportive and encouraging really does reflect in the young people. This then snowballs into the formation of a community-focused, ambitious, and considerate generation that aims to make long-term positive impacts. I aim to be part of that great group!  

What young Londoners need to thrive  

Young Londoners require an encouraging support system in order to thrive. In a bustling city like London, opportunities are out there! However, there is a loneliness epidemic with many people feeling disconnected from others. If young people feel as though they are not capable of seeking opportunities and connections, then we have a problem. What we are seeing is a society of young people who are being stereotyped, struggling with wellbeing, finances and sense of purpose. In the pursuit of thriving, we should encourage young people to dream, plan and take action to achieve their goals. Young people should be encouraged to make the most out of their formal education and not be afraid of learning outside of the classroom, through hands-on learning, such as internships, shadowing, work experience, volunteering, or a short programme, such as HeadStart Action. You never know, trying something new might just change your life.

Learning is an innate need, and it doesn’t always mean sitting at a desk! Everyone should develop their holistic wellbeing, and encourage safe spaces filled with trust. One of the most important ways to support young people is to strengthen their perseverance, feeling of connection, self-belief, confidence and team spirit. To encourage perseverance and justice during tough times, to rectify issues and take action when ambitious, may just change the world.  

Many ambitious young people lack the self-belief and encouragement of a team to support them. So be sure to cheer for the good of others, and be your own cheerleader. We can’t just survive, we must thrive!

Making positive impact in my community   

As a result of my time with London Youth and youth work elsewhere, I’ve become community and young people-focused. Thankfully, I’m one of those people who care too much about everyone and aim to create a positive and beneficial impact wherever I go. By carrying this good intention, I aim in the right direction, and see the positive impressions made, even if they are small. From packing food packs at the local Food Bank, bundling books for the Mobile Library service, to encouraging a young person to try their best and seeing them achieve, to simply putting a smile on someone’s face, what you’ll see is that over time, small steps travel large distances.  

Young people are just that: people. “It takes a village to raise a child”, in a world where we’re encouraged to do well for ourselves and put ourselves first, we forget the value of having a strong support system. You are not in this life alone. We should think with a collective mindset and support each other to do well. So please, lend a helping hand, encourage yourself and others to aim for the best in all aspects of life and be happy for others and their achievements. If you would like to have a stronger sense of community in your life, start small. Smile at your neighbour, greet the bus driver, ask the shopkeeper how they’re keeping, and donate to a charity. Aim to make positive, beneficial impacts, even if they are small. Ongoing effort over sporadic bursts of activity holds more value and travels further.    

Maria, Youth Board member