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7. Job Profiles
Before my youth work career commenced I was a young person who was disengaged from mainstream society. Education and employment did not mean a great deal to me or my peers, we were happy doing our own thing which at times may have lead to the involvement in anti-social behaviour. In 1996 I reached a point in my life where I needed to change my attitude and behaviour and was told about an opportunity at the Hideaway Youth Project for a Trainee Youth Worker. The work involved engaging young men who were either on the margins, or directly involved in the drug and gang culture and supporting them into more positive lifestyles. I didn’t think I would get the job but to my surprise I was awarded the opportunity, this was a major turning point in my life. I spent three years at the Hideaway which I gave 100% with regard to commitment. The experience gave me a good insight into the realities of living in inner-city Manchester as a Black young man, although I had lived the experience now I understood it better from a theoretical and organisational perspective. My passion for youth and community work grew from this point. After my time at Hideaway I gained an opportunity with Black Heath Agency as a Young Black Men’s Peer Education Development Worker, the work entailed engaging young Black men and supporting them in developing sexual health peer education initiatives. The project attracted additional funding which enabled a wider gender and geographical brief. The project grew from me as a lone worker to a team of four project development workers and four peer educators, I then became the Project Coordinator. I spent eight years with the organisation. In 2007 I became the Manager of Trinity House Community Resource Centre. As a relatively new manager this opportunity has been a steep learning curve with regard to what it takes to lead an organisation and manage its various functions, particularly in time of economic uncertainty. The organisation is in a better place than it was when I arrived. In order to support the growth I have had to gain a wider knowledge base of other areas of work including Governance, Early Years, Alternative Education and Building Management; I have recognised gaps in my practice and brought on board other agencies to support the organisation; I have also built relationships with other professionals across the city that have acted as source of peer mentoring. Managing an organisation with all its components is not a stroll in the park. Sources of inspiration for me have been positive feedback from young people, parents/carers, residents and other professionals with regard to services that meet their needs and the progression of the organisation; the fact that other agencies want to work with Trinity House and support its growth for community benefit; my will and determination to develop the organisation into an all singing all dancing community based provision that supports its users in achieving positive outcomes in their lives, I think we’re getting there slowly but surely.
This ‘case study’ has made me really think about my work journey – from leaving college 24 years ago (stop adding up how old that makes me!) to my current role as Chief Executive of 4CT, a youth and community charity in East Manchester. Strangely I can never remember wistfully looking out of a classroom window and dreaming about long days managing a project – I didn’t write ‘I want to be a manager’ on my careers list. I wanted to be a graphic designer, and at 18 that is what I became – or an artist to be more precise – the artist for Employment Service – producing adverts, posters and the like for Jobcentres across the north west! After 7 years in Employment Service I looked around and thought I need a change. I saw an advert for a ‘housing regeneration officer’ and a salary that was double mine and I thought that was the life for me! Six soul destroying months in Salford’s housing department later and I had changed my mind, housing was not for me. I was incredibly lucky with my next job, Community Care at an HIV charity, sorting out benefits and housing (knew housing would pay off in the end). I loved this job and after two years the charity expanded and recruited a manager. I applied (mainly to stop another internal candidate getting the job as I didn’t like the idea of her being my boss!). I had no experience but … got the job. Another year or so later and I decided to move on again, to set up a new project in Openshaw. 13 years later I’m still in East Manchester – managing a fairly large and fairly successful local charity in a phenomenal regeneration area. I guess that advert 17 years ago was the way forward! So, I guess I fell into management – but I’ve stayed there because of the support I’ve had from others along the way and a desire to continue learning and developing. I’ve done lots of courses – most recently an MSC and had an incredible amount of support from colleagues, trustees and other managers. Top tips if you have written ‘I want to be a manager’ on your career plan – take any opportunities that come your way, listen to those with more experience and keep learning… oh, and be prepared for some long days and sleepness nights – management sounds a bit like having a baby doesn’t it! 1. Introduction |
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