Today Richard Doak visits us to talk about his work at Aych and with young people from Devon County. Space works in several centres directly with the young people and Richard makes a personalized accompaniment that motivates them in their futures.
Can you tell us what is your work in Space and how do you work with young people?
My role is AYCH Project lead worker. I am a qualified Senior youth support worker with a specialism in music technology, I am also a sports coach, archery teacher and climbing instructor. I have been working with young people for over 8 years, running various successful Youth projects mainly around music delivery in the wider community. The way I work with young people is to allow them the opportunity to make their own decisions and mistakes on the way the projects they are part of go. My role is to facilitate, Inspire and support their ideas and decisions, helping them to reflect and evaluate their learning.
How do you think that Aych can change the life of the young people you work with?
Here in Devon, we are part of a large rural community. We took the decision at space to take this project away from the cities and out into the wider community giving young people in smaller towns, A chance to have their voices heard. We have created 3 hubs in which the AYCH project will work from trying to spread them out across the county of Devon. One in the North, One in the south and one in the middle of the County. All of these areas face rural deprivation, poor transport networks, high youth unemployment and a disconnect from the wider UK. With this international Project, we hope to encourage young people to see a bigger picture and connect them with a wider community using are skills as youth workers and utilising modern communications technologies.
What do yo think that can ben the advantages for young people when forming part of a transnational project?
For young people in our county, the opportunity to gain real skills relevant to today’s job market is key. The opportunity to work across countries is a concept unfamiliar to the young people I am working with. For example, as we prepare to take our group of young entrepreneurs to the next creative jam in Spain 3 out of the 5 young people do not have a passport or access to the internet in their home. Through the AYCH Project, I can support them through the first ever trip abroad opening new horizons to their outlook. The chance for them to meet other young entrepreneurs from across Europe is an exciting one and for them to gain experiences with professionals from all walks of life is an opportunity not to be missed.
