Meet Jamie – Learning, growing, and giving back through Youth Work

I’m Jamie Rycraft, and I’m currently a multi-disciplinary youth work apprentice. So far, it’s been an amazing journey I’ve loved getting stuck into the job, learning something new every day, and meeting so many brilliant people and organisations who are all passionate about helping young people thrive.

Back in 2020, I went to college to study Health and Social Care because I wanted to become a social worker. I worked hard and earned my Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma. But at the same time, I was also receiving support from Young Gloucestershire (YG).

That support changed my life. I was struggling with my gender identity at the time, and thanks to my youth worker and counsellor, I was able to take the first steps in my transition. They helped me figure out not just what I wanted to do professionally, but who I wanted to be personally.

After my support ended, I kept working hard and focusing on my goals. Without YG’s encouragement, I honestly don’t think I’d have had the confidence to get where I am today. That experience inspired me to become a youth worker myself to give back and support other young people who might be going through their own challenges.

With both personal and professional experience behind me, I hope I can be someone that young people can look up to and relate to.

Why did I chose a Youth Work Apprenticeship? I’ve always found traditional education a bit of a struggle, sitting in a classroom all day just wasn’t for me. That’s why an apprenticeship felt like the perfect fit. Learning on the job gives me the chance to gain real experience while still building my skills.

In just a few months, I’ve already learned so much. There’s such a wide range of support and organisations out there for young people, and being part of that network is incredible. What I love most about Young Gloucestershire is how much they value the voice of young people. It’s such an important part of helping them grow and feel heard.

I am excited to keep working with YG, learning everything I can, and using that knowledge to make a real difference. Every day feels rewarding and honestly, I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

My advice for anyone thinking about a Youth Work Apprenticeship is to go for it. If you’re not quite sure yet, why not try volunteering first? It’s a great way to get a feel for the job and build some experience.

Volunteering can open so many doors. You’ll learn loads, meet amazing people, and best of all you’ll have fun doing it! One of my favourite parts of the apprenticeship is visiting other organisations, chatting about what they do, and experiencing their services first-hand. It really helps me understand what young people go through and how we can best support them.

Youth work is such an important service and I can say that from personal experience. Everyone, at some point, can benefit from support whether that’s counselling, therapy, mentoring, or youth work. Sometimes, just having someone to talk to can make all the difference.

What makes youth work special is that it’s all about listening to young people and helping them achieve their goals. It’s not about telling them what to do it’s about guiding them, helping them build confidence and self-esteem, and cheering them on as they start smashing life.

Young people face so many changes as they grow up, and youth work is there to make sure they don’t face those challenges alone. It’s about being there, supporting them, and helping them believe in themselves just like YG did for me.