Caitlyn, 16
A message from a Youth Worker
Caitlyn is an extraordinary young person, who is always willing to help others in any way she can, and shows a clear passion for trying to make the world around her a better place in any way she can. She hasn’t had an east ride, and has definitely gone through some rough patches but has shown a real resilience that I’m so proud of her for. Caitlyn always puts herself forward for opportunities when she can, and always gives them her best; she is not only an asset to the youth forum but to the Youth Zone as a whole
Caitlyn’s Youth Forum Story
“I decided to come to Youth Zone as it was my sister birthday, and I didn’t want to go to her birthday party, I mean would you want to be surrounded by loads of 6 year olds… I didn’t want to hang around on the streets as there’s people I didn’t want to be around. I wasn’t doing anything before I joined Wigan Youth Zone as there isn’t really anything to do. I live in a really quiet area with loads of old people so nothing for me to do. I saw my sister’s free pass for the Youth Zone so decided to borrow it and go check it out for myself.”
“At the time I started coming I was really quiet, and I didn’t speak to anyone. I felt really nervous when I first started the Youth Zone, as I was a really quiet person. I got lost on my first day, and thought I’d ask someone who had a red jumper on, but it turned out they were another young person. I went straight in the art room, because it was the quietest room, because I didn’t like loud people and didn’t want to be around them. I stayed in the art room for the first three months until a member of staff encouraged me to go and try other things. I only started in the Youth Forum during the first lock down, literally because I was bored and one of my friends mentioned it was something they were doing and I might like it. I now feel a lot more confident, and I don’t stop talking, I don’t give up as easily and I’m definitely more resilient. I’m actually not even camera shy anymore, and this is all because of the things I’ve got involved in at Youth Zone.
“Being part of the forum has given me more opportunities, it has given me a lot more opportunities in speaking to people. A board member said my public speaking ability was amazing! And my confidence has grown loads through having the opportunity to do it. Attending the youth forum helped keep me busy through the lockdowns and take my mind off the boredom and stress that lockdown give you.”
“We started looking at a social action stuff, and I really enjoy that, because it helps other people and I really like to help people. I became a young leader to help other young people as well. I like doing the project work, because it feels good to be improving the youth zone and taking part in opportunities that help improve my local area. I’ve been involved in the ‘Bee heard’ campaign with Youth focus, which is where you meet up once per month, to discuss different topics and helping other young person’s group complete their projects. I’ve recently taken part in a BBC interview giving my opinion on the exams being cancelled, which was amazing! I took part in a global warming project, with imperial college London, we had to research how global warming is effecting our local area and research different environmental problems. It makes me feel excited that I get to take part in all of these opportunities, it can be stressful but it’s really good as helping to teach me how to manage my time. I get really good support from youth zone staff that helps me take part in all of these things.”
