New Workshop Helps Youth Workers Find The Magic Within Each Young Person. Hello everyone, I hope you are well. In today’s post, I will be sharing an exciting press release about a powerful new workshop created and delivered by Sid Madge, founder of Meee (Mindset, Education, Employment, and Enterprise). The workshop at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) helped Youth Worker apprentices identify their unique strengths and passions to positively impact young people, especially in the UK youth justice system. Through creative activities and LEGO® building, participants connected with their purpose and boosted their confidence. Sid Madge highlighted that every youth worker has something valuable to offer, and the workshop aimed to help them recognize that.
New Workshop Helps Youth Workers Find The Magic Within Each Young Person
At the heart of youth work lies an unshakable belief in the potential of young people. This belief took centre stage during a unique and inspiring new workshop held at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) for Youth Worker apprentices.
Over the course of two hours, participants embarked on a creative and introspective journey designed to help them discover their own magic, the unique qualities they bring to the world and, more specifically, the vital work they do in UK youth justice.
YOU: The Foundation Of Youth Work
The workshop, designed by Sid Madge of Meee, was structured around the first three letters of the word ‘Youth’, YOU. This focus invited participants to reflect on their individual strengths, talents, and passions that drive them to support and guide young people facing adversity. Through the unconventional yet powerful medium of Meee resources and LEGO®, attendees were encouraged to explore their personal values, build representations of their challenges within the sector, and share their visions for the future of youth work.
“One of the key messages of the workshop was that every individual working within youth justice has something special to offer. Whether it is empathy, resilience, creativity, or lived experience, each apprentice brings a unique perspective that can help shape a better path for young people navigating the complex justice and rehabilitation system,” explained Sid Madge of Meee, who created and facilitated the workshop.
Creativity And The Legacy Of Sir Ken Robinson
A cornerstone of the discussion was the work of Sir Ken Robinson, a passionate advocate for creativity in education. His renowned TED Talk, Do Schools Kill Creativity?, was a powerful reference point, sparking conversations about how the modern education system has shifted from nurturing creativity and individuality to prioritising standardised testing and rigid academic benchmarks.
In the UK today, nearly a million young people do not have a secondary education. (Source: Over ½m young British people aren’t working, studying, or job-hunting and Almost one million young people ‘not working, studying or job hunting’<) This staggering statistic presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Many of these young individuals possess exceptional talents that remain untapped due to traditional educational structures failing to accommodate neurodiverse minds and unconventional learners. The workshop explored how youth workers and employers could bridge this gap, fostering environments that value creativity, adaptability, and resilience over rigid conformity.
The Role Of Youth Justice In Creating Opportunities
A significant portion of the session was dedicated to discussing the work being done within UK prisons, particularly through the Counting On Confidence programme. This initiative, which has been implemented in various prison settings, including HMP/YOI Feltham, emphasises the importance of confidence-building and personal development in helping young offenders transition towards a more positive future.
“During a recent visit to Feltham, the Meee team saw firsthand the pressing need for support systems that support young people facing multiple barriers. These are not just statistics or case numbers; these are our youngsters, and it is our collective responsibility to provide them with opportunities to break the cycle of disadvantage and reoffending,” says Sid Madge.
The conversation also touched upon the broader context of probation services in the UK. In a recent call between Sid Madge of Meee and Martin Jones, HMPPS Chief Inspector of Probation Service, it was highlighted that there are approximately 240,000 cases currently being managed by probation services. Alarmingly, the service itself is struggling to recruit and retain staff, creating an urgent need for intervention and support.
Brick By Brick: A Song Of Hope
One of the most moving moments of the workshop came from a creative collaboration that emerged during the session. Attendee Nik Varley was inspired to write a song titled Brick By Brick, encapsulating the themes of growth, resilience, and transformation. Music, like other forms of creative expression, has the power to bridge gaps, communicate emotions, and inspire action, further reinforcing the importance of keeping creativity at the heart of youth work.
A Call To Action: Supporting Our Youth
“As a country and as a community, we must step up to provide young people with the support they need to succeed. Whether through creative workshops, alternative education pathways, or employment opportunities tailored to diverse talents, there is an urgent need to rethink how we engage with and invest in our youth,” claims Sid.
“We challenge employers to recognise the untapped potential within this demographic. We encourage policymakers to prioritise holistic and rehabilitative approaches to youth justice. And most importantly, we urge every individual working in this space to continue finding their magic and using it to inspire the young people they support.
“The future of youth justice does not lie solely in policies and procedures, it lies in the hands of those who dare to dream, to create, and to believe in the power of young people to build a better tomorrow, brick by brick.”
I hope you enjoyed that.
Talk soon.
ABOUT MEEE
ABOUT MEEESid Madge is the founder of Meee and the creator of the Counting on Confidence programme, designed to inspire the belief that education and learning are essential for a more fulfilling and positive life. Sid is also the author of the Meee in a Minute series of books, offering 60 simple, actionable ways to transform your life, work, or family life in just 60 seconds.
Web: www.meee.global
Web: www.meeebooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Instagram www.instagram.com/meeehq
TEDx: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
13 Comments
Karletta
The workshop sounds amazing – a full experience. Love the teaching and the message it’s delivering to our youth. Also the work around prisons – we really need to do better and education is where it starts. Thx for sharing.
May
I love how you say that we must provide opportunities for the youth to break the circle of disadvantage because I think that people do not really understand it still nowadays, despite the numerous ways this has been discussed by almost everybody, but most importantly, the media, etc and the people in position.
Melanie E
That’s so great to hear. Helping our youth helps us all in the long run. These types of opportunities are such a helpful resource for them and can help them grow their own experiences and areas where they excel. This sort of thing can help those that may not have finished their education or gone as far as they might have wanted.
Molly | Transatlantic Notes
This sounds like a much-need and highly worthwhile workshop. It’s great to read about things like this being in place and how much both the workers and those who attend get from it.
Michelle
This sounds like such a fantastic workshop! I feel like so many young people will benefit very much from enrolling in something like this.
Emily
How wonderful, that youth can get involved in something that will better themselves and the future of our world. What a lovely initiative!
Rosey
When people step up to help our youth, they are doing our whole communities a big service. “It takes a village” is so true and a village can be formed in so many wonderful ways.
catherine
I admire other people who are providing a good opportunity to the young ones to develop their talents and skills that they need for their future.
Tara
Where there’s a desire to help and teach the youth, there’s power. It’s great that there’s a workshop and bullet points that help get these wonderful people trained.
Kristy Bullard
This is so wonderful for young people. As a mom of teenagers, I know how much they need nurturing and motivation, finding a passion and a purpose in their work.
LisaLisa
Our State-run programs like this for our youth, and they’ve proven to be incredibly effective in supporting thousands of young people. It’s my hope that every state recognizes the value of investing in today’s youth by offering workshops like these. Now more than ever, our youth need guidance, support, and opportunities to grow.
Beth
I love the way they’re nurturing the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. We need so much more of this for the future!
Mow De
Fascinating – and it feels so close to home! I remember doing a project in that area when I was in my teenage years. Wishing Meee every success.