Schools work
east to west has been involved in the life of secondary schools for over 12 years and began by pioneering, implementing and sustaining three fulltime and two part-time placements in four of our local schools.
- Charters School, Sunningdale
- Magna Carta School, Staines
- Matthew Arnold School, Staines
- Thomas Knyvett College, Ashford
What do we do in schools?
An east to west School Relational Youth Worker (SRYW) is based four days a week in a school and spends time building purposeful relationships with the students. The non-teacher, non-student nature of the role allows a unique relationship to be formed where confidence is central and advice and support are offered. The SRYWs are involved in a wide variety of activities aimed at supporting and increasing the emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of young people.
"east to west has allowed those students that might be shy, lacking in confidence, lacking self esteem or worse face their issues and with guided support... the style of relational youth work compliments the work we also have going on in school through our own learning support department to ensure that their work is effective and is having the desired impact."
Kathy Janzan, Deputy Head, The Magna Carta School
Charters School: Tracey Simcock & Carolyn Shaw
Supporting young people through relationship is a real passion for us. The support that we've given to one young person best sums up how our time is spent. We've been spending daily time supporting a young person who is going through a very tumultuous time within their family. Alongside mentoring sessions we've been practically assisting them to external meetings in and out of the school day working through current difficulties, bringing closure and perspective to the past and liaising with other professionals to set up extra support and being flexible with the support we can offer whilst in school.
We enable young people to voice the worries, troubles and concerns that all too often plague their lives, giving them the space to think creatively about how they could move forward and how they could process problems at times when life doesn't quite make sense. Group work has grown and we now offer a number of various course's across the school year groups such as Self Esteem, Anger & Behaviour Management, New Students, Yr11 GCSE support groups and responsive / tailored courses meeting presenting need.
Magna Carta School: Nicola Lainsbury
My passion is to make sure that every young person can find the support they need. I love being able to offer a hot chocolate, a listening ear and advise (if wanted) to help make the young people feel that they are being listened to and are valued. I feel that this is an expression of my Christian faith as I respond pastorally to their needs.
My week consists of one-to-one mentoring of young people who are deemed vulnerable, at risk of exclusion, have anger issues, low self esteem, pier issues or are generally not coping with life.
I run a number of support groups to help young people with social skills, behaviour management, conflict resolution and single sex support groups as well as Anti Bullying Days, Yr 7 team building days, shows & performances, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme as well as various after- school activities and events. Being a support worker in school is a real privilege! It can be tough and frustrating at times but on the whole it is very rewarding and yes, I love it!
Matthew Arnold School: Nicki Sudworth
I am always aware that the minute I arrive at the school I hit the floor running. So much goes on and so much can change even overnight, young people arrested, hurt, family rows, relationship breakdowns, violence, etc - so being responsive and flexible is key to this job.
Part of my 12 hours in the school, I spend facilitating support groups; anger management and a stop smoking group are the current ones. I love seeing the groups develop and grow as we share with each other and learn to move forward in a positive way. One-to-one mentoring takes up most of the rest of my time. I am constantly humbled by just what these young people face on a daily basis. The teachers are feeding back improvements in behaviour and emotional stability in their students.
There is something special in being allowed to be part of a young person's life when they are at their most vulnerable.
Thomas Knyvett College: Emma Swinden
So, what's schools work all about? For me, it's an opportunity to spend quality time with young people who may have very few opportunities in life to sit down and feel listened to. It's about having fun with young people and helping them to discover the potential strengths, gifts and talents that lie within them. This might come about through running a street dance workshop, being involved in training peer mentors or simply through a conversation. I feel privileged to be in a position within a school where the young people know they can come along and I will always have the time to work issues through with them. I often have conversations with young people who seem to feel alone because the significant people in their lives don't listen to them. I'm not saying that the reason for this is always these significant figures don't care or take an interest in this young person's life, more that the young person has struggled to find someone to share their fears and frustrations with.
Empowering the local churches
In addition we recognized the need to get even more people involved in supporting the needs and aims of the schools. Therefore east to west recruits youth workers and volunteers from the local churches to partner with us in the schools running lunchtime or afterschool clubs, Mentoring as well RE lessons and assemblies.
We are constantly grateful for all of their support and time and the young people love the increased impact we have as a team.