Season 2 Episode 11 - Hope, Community and Sanctuary with Simon Skidmore

Hello and welcome to season 2 of the Jenni Talks podcast. In this season we are going to focus on conversations with people about creating new opportunities, communities and spaces for young people & youth workers to engage with as a result of the pandemic. My book, From Isolation to Community: Youth Work in the Covid Era and Beyond which captures a snapshot of what has been happening in this past year is available now. In it I have recorded the stories of many people working with young people across the UK during the pandemic, we will be hearing from some of these same youth workers but also from others who I’ve come across who are doing some amazing things to engage, enable and encourage young people to really thrive despite all the restrictions that have been put on us in these pandemic times.

You can buy the book by going to my website www.jenniosborn.org and clicking on one of the options there.

One of my passions has been supporting those who work with young people and this was part of the aim of the book, to showcase and reflect on the work that’s happening up and down the country. I also offer mentoring for youth workers, regular sessions over a 6 month period to support youth workers in their roles, acting as a sounding board, as an encourager to make small changes or to think different things through. If you’re interested in mentoring or having conversations about the themes from the book then I am available for book clubs, for resourcing and reflecting with your team or for encouraging youth workers to consider the impact of this pandemic and how we can move forward. You can get in touch via the website.

This episode is a conversation with Simon Skidmore, a long term youth worker who works for a church and a local council youth service. We talk about the importance of young people being involved in challenging situations, Simon is a leader with the Adventure Service Challenge Award which encourages young people to take on different tasks and complete challenges much like the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. We also talk about how one local business man in Preston has given of his own resources to feed his community in partnership with local community groups like the church. If I was anywhere near Preston I’d be there like a shot!

Simon also mentions the difficulties that young people have begun talking about to do with exams and not sitting them but still having to be tested – often without any preamble or warning, no time to revise or prepare. It’s a brief mention in this conversation but something that is a very current for the young people we are in contact with.

This episode really demonstrates the importance of the three themes I talk about in the book: Hope, Community and Sanctuary. Do listen to the end section to hear what I think about the work that Simon is doing in partnership with others.

Contact Simon on families@wpmc.co.uk or simon.skidmore@warrington.gov.uk

Contact Jenni on hello@jenniosborn.org

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