PlayBoard’s Youth@Play programme launched in early 2020. The programme, funded by the Department of Education through the Education Authority, builds on the capacity of youth workers to facilitate play in youth centres for their younger members.
The pilot programme is currently being delivered to youth settings in Belfast, Armagh/Craigavon, and Banbridge and includes 1-1 support and playwork training for workers and young leaders. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions in place since March 2020, the programme has been adapted for online delivery.
Almost a year into the programme we talked to two participants about their experiences so far.
Gary Dougan
Gary Dougan
Gary Dougan works as a Youth Support Worker In-charge with the Education Authority.
What does your role involve?
Being a Pathway Student I am both a full time worker and a student on Ulster University’s Community Youth Work Degree. I can work with children and young people from around the age of 8 right up to 25. I do group work sessions, work with children and young people on a 1-1 basis if there is a need, general youth work in drop in and working with schools delivering OCNs. I also do the admin side, planning groups, developing session plans/booklets, applying for funding, organising meetings etc. Then at the same time I am studying for my Youth Work Qualification also as part of the Education Authority’s Pathways Scheme.
What does a typical day look like?
Before Covid a typical day for me would be going into the office and answering and sending emails, organising meetings with people whether that be my line manager for supervision or local services to provide workshops for our children and young people, or even parents about different opportunities for the children and young people. Then once the admin is done I would plan the night ahead in the centre, what groups are happening, what staff are in and what does the night look like etc. and the day might start around 9:30am and end around 10:00pm as I live in Belfast but work in Craigavon.
How did you decide on this career?
I volunteered for an organisation (Northern Ireland Alternatives) where my uncle was the manager and he offered me the opportunity to get involved from a very young age. Then I stopped when I went to university because I had no time studying for a full-time course and working three jobs. Then I got the opportunity to do my Diploma with Challenge for Youth through George Williams College London. From doing this I found a love for youth work that I didn’t have originally volunteering and I think that is down to age and maturity – I didn’t appreciate the work I did when I was younger. Then I finished my degree in Art and knew I wanted to work with young people and art so applied for a teaching degree in Liverpool and got accepted, but failed a skills test and when I didn’t get upset I knew that I didn’t want that type of career so pursued youth work more. I worked in four different youth clubs then over a period of eight years in the Education Authority and the voluntary sector to gain experience and then applied for this post I’m in now. The rest of my story is still to be written.
How did you get involved in the Youth@Play programme?
The senior workers suggested the programme, we were giving the options of different days to take part and they were flexible. It involves many different youth workers from different areas of Northern Ireland with a vast variety of skills and knowledge, working together to learn and develop their skills within their youth work settings.
Has the programme been beneficial?
It has, it gave me opportunities to meet other workers from different clubs and create a better network of resources, but it has also given us all great examples of how we can integrate play within our centres when working with the development of young people and how important play can be to a child.
What have you learned from the programme that you will use in your current or future roles?
The importance of play for children and young people, and that it can be as easy or as difficult as we or the children and young people want it to be. It has opened my mind more to let children be more expressive and creative in what they do.
Would you recommend the programme to others?
I would recommend it, but I think it would need to be delivered differently than online which is not PlayBoard’s fault, that is down to Covid.
Has your view of play changed?
My views have always been positive about play, I become a big kid when our children and young people want to get involved in games and activities because it engulfs them for a period of time in this world of fun and takes their mind off things they may be struggling with or dealing with in the real world.
“We don’t stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing” – George Bernard Shaw
Mark Mead
Mark Mead
Mark Mead is a Resilience Educator with the Education Authority Youth Service
What does your role involve?
My role involves supporting young people and children to experience good mental health and resilience.
What does a typical day look like?
At present, I am engaged in professional development and training. When it is safe to do so, I look forward to working with children and young people.
How did you decide on this career?
I have been an employee for over 10 years now, and enjoy working within the helping profession. At the beginning of January 2021, I started my new role as a resilience educator for REACH (Resilience Education Assisting Change to Happen).
How did you get involved in the Youth@Play programme?
The opportunity was presented to me within my previous role, and I jumped at the chance to learn something new.
Can you tell us a bit about it?
The programme involves weekly Zoom sessions, engaging in reflections and discussions around playwork theory and process, and completing assignments and group tasks.
Has the programme been beneficial?
I can use playwork methods as a process of engagement that can assist change in the lives of the children and young people I work alongside.
What have you learned from the programme that you will use in your current or future roles?
The programme content was guided by theory and playwork methods. I will take this forward into my new role, to help improve positive outcomes for children and young people.
Would you recommend the programme to others?
Yes, I would definitely recommend this programme to others.
Has your view of play changed?
As a father to two boys aged 8 and 6, play has always had its time and space in our routine. Having participated in the programme I understand how crucial it is to have play intertwined into the daily routine of children and young people. It contributes to their social, emotional and physical development.
I would like to thank Maeve and Aisling from PlayBoard for their support and commitment throughout the training programme.
If you would like further information on the programme download the flyer or email Peter McCartney, Training Coordinator at peter.mccartney@playboard.co.uk
