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Original poster

I am foing to see a young offender soon in a volunteering capacity, please come and tell me I will be ok and not crap

25 replies

colditz · 10/03/2008 16:41

OP posts:
HuwEdwards · 10/03/2008 16:41

oh how interesting - do you know much about this person?

claricebeansmum · 10/03/2008 16:42

This sounds really interesting and worthwhile.

What are your worries?

Original poster
colditz · 10/03/2008 16:42

I have seen her charge sheet and an assessment of her needs

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EffiePerine · 10/03/2008 16:42

I'm sure you will be great . What are you talking to him/her about?

EffiePerine · 10/03/2008 16:43

HER (see I typed 'him' to start with as was assuming spotty yoof in hoodie)

Original poster
colditz · 10/03/2008 16:43

I am scared i will be crap and they will get nothing useful out of their time with me.

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Original poster
colditz · 10/03/2008 16:43

I am scared i will be crap and they will get nothing useful out of their time with me.

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Original poster
colditz · 10/03/2008 16:44

Self esteem and assertiveness

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EffiePerine · 10/03/2008 16:44

At least you;re making an effort, which is prob more than most adults who come into contact with her. Without wanting to sound like your mum, you can only do your best

Mamazon · 10/03/2008 16:44

ooh what are you volunteerng as Coldizt?

Im a youth offending social worker so i saw young girls like this on a dailu basis.

of course you have no reason to be fearfull. her rap sheet doesn't mean anything.

You are a lovely person who is witty and articulate. so long as you don't talk down to her, try not to judge her or her family adn listen to what she says without a look of fear or shock on yoru face you will be fine.

good luck.

claricebeansmum · 10/03/2008 16:45

Surely she will be getting something out of being able to talk to someone who wants to talk to them for themselves, that can give a different view and perhaps wont be quiet so judgemental...

HuwEdwards · 10/03/2008 16:45

do they have a choice about whether to have a volunteer visitor or are you er...foisted upon them ?

Original poster
colditz · 10/03/2008 16:49

well, I am kind of foisted upon them, as in they agree to the volunteer visitor or take a criminal charge type thing.

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HuwEdwards · 10/03/2008 16:54

Well she may be defensive then. Just be yourself and let us know how you get on! Good luck

Original poster
colditz · 10/03/2008 19:14

It was ok. she warmed up fairly soon (and so did I) and we worked through what we needed to do quite nicely. Nice girl.

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FuriousGeorge · 10/03/2008 22:24

Only just seen this Colditz & I'm very impressed.What a fantastic thing to do.You could be the person who makes a difference & changes this girls life.

Well Done!

pinkspottywellies · 10/03/2008 22:29

Just seen this! Hope you enjoyed it. Like some of the others said just the fact that you're there cause you want to be is really positive. Make sure you role model things like punctuality, letting her know if you can't make it etc. That's the kind of thing young people often miss out on. Be a stable and reliable influence and you'll be great.

LynetteScavo · 10/03/2008 22:29

Wow! I'm very impressed Colditz!

How did you get involved initially?

workstostaysane · 10/03/2008 23:01

good for you colditz.

sounds as if you don't need any advice, but if i'd seen this before you'd gone i would have told you to remember that she will be much more frightened of you than you ever could be of her. she has messed up her life thus far and you are offering to help. however defensive she may seem she will be really really really happy that someone is giving her time.

good luck with it all.

Original poster
colditz · 11/03/2008 16:50

I am, interested in people, and my dad gave me the number of someone to ring who runs the volunteering service - it goes through the council.

It's really interesting, and I get a lot of good quality free training too!

I have also applied for a job. Working with 'young people as parents'

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tiredemma · 11/03/2008 19:37

That sounds fantastic Colditz- You always offer shit hot advice on here, you come across as 'with it' aswell and not patronising etc. From your posts on here, I think you would be a great 'befriender' for a young offender.

I did a bit of volunteering with Surestart (only for a brief period)- Going around secondary schools with teenage parents to discuss the challenges of parenthood (in other words, trying to deter the rest of the school population from reproducing)- it was very interesting- the job that you have applied for sounds slightly similar-
Good Luck- Im sure both roles will be very rewarding.

Good Luck.

FrannyandZooey · 11/03/2008 19:39

nice one colditz
am pleased for her that she has you to offer support

policywonk · 11/03/2008 19:40

Good on yer.

Hulababy · 11/03/2008 19:41

That sounds really interesting. Good on you for doing the colunteer aspect too.

I work with YOs (plus adult offenders) and to start with it was a bit unnerving to start with, esp when yu read their long list of previous and their current stuff. But it is almost always fine.

Original poster
colditz · 12/03/2008 14:10

I am seeing a different kid today, who I will be seeing for longer. Less motivated than the first, with more family ishoos.

Also had a snotty letter from the benefits agency, saying that they wish to see a "Spreadsheet of the company's accounts" to prove that they can't afford to pay me for the job I am doing.

It's not a JOB! It's just some help! i (hope I) help them, and in return I get valuable work experience! Doesn't anyone do anything for free anymore, or do the DWP assume all benefits claimants are scum? Grr

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