Season 2 Episode 14 Hot Chocolate and Young People with Charis Robertson

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. 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 buy the book or get in touch by going to my website www.jenniosborn.organd clicking on one of the options there. This episode is a conversation with Charis Robertson from Hot Chocolate in Dundee. They are one of the organisations which are included in the book, and I wanted to find out bit about where things are at for them right now, at a time when much of the UK is emerging from lockdown. I remember hearing about Hot Chocolate at the time that it was just beginning its work with young people. The idea of ‘meeting young people where they are at’ is one which permeates a lot of youth work, whether it’s faith based or not, and I have loved talking to many for whom it is their clarion call. The values of Hot Chocolate are unashamedly Christian, values of radical inclusion, of binding the broken hearted and of offering freedom for young people to be the truest version of themselves. It began 20 years ago with cups of hot chocolate and a listening ear, it continues with pool tables and art classes and mental health support even at a time of tight restrictions. Find Hot Chocolate on www.hotchocolate.org.uk and also on Google maps! Contact Jenni hello@jenniosborn.org FB: www.facebook.com/jennitalks Twitter: @jenni_talks Instagram: @jenni.osborn I hope you enjoy this conversation and don’t forget to share!