Why I Do It

I get a little world-weary sometimes about the 60 - 80 hour weeks, and the fact that I don't have any time to myself. and the problems that come with running a Youth Club in what spare time I have. But a couple of things this week have made me think "yeah, it's worth it".

On Tuesday, some of my kids went up to a theatre festival to join in a celebration for all the schools and youth clubs who participated in 3 weeks of workshops. I was a bit worried about the kids who were going, as a few of them can be troublesome. In the event, the worst behaved one (with moderate learning difficulties and severe behavioural problems) wasn't allowed to go, as he'd punched another girl in the face at the previous night's session. But the rest went, and they had a great time. The festival's manager told me that our club was the most vocal and enthusiastic among the various groups who took part, and the trip's lead staff member told me that one of our autistic boys had taken it upon himself to go around to everyone else there and tell them all about our club; where we are, what we do, and how fantastic it is! He went down a storm, but more importantly it was great to hear about him coming out of his shell enough to be able to do that.

On Friday, we took a boy with Aspergers Syndrome and one of the girls to a local children's congress, where they get to do workshops and have their say on what goes on locally. Again, it went great.... apart from the fact that I couldn't go and meet them for lunch! Again, both kids were among the most enthusiastic participants. And on the way up there the two kids were throwing out so many ideas for next week's festival and for the summer project... I should have had a pad handy!

Also, one of our girls had developed behavioural problems including bulimia, threatening to self-harm, running away, and general disobedience and nastiness. The social services are now involved, and her parents have to complete a parenting course, and are being fined for her refusal to go to school. this girl is 9 years old. We had to suspend her a couple of times for violent behaviour and verbal abuse. However, during the last 2 weeks, she has spontaneously made a point of helping to distract and play with the boy with severe behavioural difficulties I mentioned earlier. And she has come to me and asked if her and her friend can help with whatever I'm doing at the Festival. I'm not counting chickens, but it's a big improvement!

The staff have made great strides too, in the 2 years the club has been running. Most of them have never worked since leaving school. A lot of them are 'on the sick' permanently for stress and 'nerves'. One has an alcohol problem, but has been staying off the drink since starting to volunteer 2 nights a week at the club. One 'sickie' has also joined the Scouts and received her warrant, and now devotes a lot of her time to them (but is still on our Board of Trustees). Another one on the sick also volunteers 2 nights a week, plus events. One volunteer who was quite immature and had a phobia of moving outside her family / friend circle has just filled in an application for lifeguard training and employment at the local pool, and has an interview coming up (this is the mother of the girl above).

Our 18-year-old Club Leader is an ex member who has overwhelmed us with his commitment, maturity, and above all his organisational skills. So, he's now running the club with a little help from the Trustees, and doing it very well indeed, thank you. A third of our volunteers are members themselves, aged 15 to 17.

So, all in all, that is why I do it. It's bloody hard work, takes up a disproportionate amount of time considering we only run two 2-hour sessions a week. But it's worth it!