I am Stephen* and I am a young leader at Waterside. I want to explain why Waterside is important to me and other young people. When I started secondary school, I didn’t know anyone. Year 7 was lockdown year for me, which was boring as I couldn’t do any schoolwork. Then in the December of year 9, I first came to Waterside, and it changed my life.

 

Kelly said I was quiet at first, but I will never forget the first day when she asked how I was and actually listened to what I said, and ever since, every time I see her, she always asks how I am. As I grew more confident, I did more things at Waterside from BoxWise to kayaking to youth café until I was here most nights of the week. 

 

The youth workers here trust me and respect me, so I respect them and that is different to anywhere else, as for example teachers don’t respect young people. The youth workers here put faith in me and for that I am grateful. I do not know what I would do without Ken or Kelly or Natalya or Jessica or David. I would be lost without them. They are always here for me when I need them, are someone to talk to and help me out with my problems.

 

Life at home isn’t the best at the minute and it is beneficial for me the more I am not there. For the past few months, it has been a challenge with the stress of exams and everything else in life stacking up and taking its toll, but it would be a whole lot worse if I didn’t have the youth workers here at Waterside to help me. I don’t know what I would do without them, they are really important to me and for that I am forever in their debt and so are many other young people like me. This building is a place for me to stay out of trouble as I know that if anything happens, I am safe. The youth workers here are amazing, and I owe them so much and will continue to for a very long time.

 

*Names have been changed to protect young people’s identity