A Youth Worker's Best Friends: Self-Care and Professionalism

October 28, 2024

Article author Sära-Sthella Tohv

Social professions, including youth work, mostly originated from 19th-century charitable work, often carried out by religious organizations and volunteers (Kötsi, 2017). However, today, youth work has developed into a science-based profession that is much more than merely 'babysitting and playing with children'. Nevertheless, a lot of work still needs to be done both within the field and in society at large to change the perception of youth work's seriousness. Furthermore, youth workers must also take great care of themselves to avoid burnout.

A youth worker's daily life is, quite humorously, truly like having nine different professions. In our work, we acquire the necessary foundational education, learning youth work ethics, developmental psychology, counseling, pedagogy, including how to address special educational needs, community work, and more (Community Education and Hobby Activities, 2024). This ensures a professional and high-quality youth work service for both young people and the wider community. A youth center is not merely a pool table; in the broader picture, it encompasses the characteristics of a non-formal educational institution, a counseling center, and a leisure center.

However, the foundation of youth work is self-management. The issue is not a lack of work or ideas, but rather an infinite number of opportunities. To avoid losing oneself in the daily hustle and bustle, it is crucial to find time for one's own activities and thoughts, even amidst the most exciting projects. It is quite cliche to mention all the mental health 'vitamins' such as sleep, exercise, and nutrition. This has become clear to many by now. More importantly, especially in a professional context, it is to truly notice and share difficult moments with colleagues, seek external support, and find real solutions to these problems. But how can the image of a youth worker in society be elevated to ensure an even more supportive environment from the state? In summary, this requires education and effectiveness. If we want to make youth work taken seriously, we must first speak about it seriously ourselves, highlighting genuinely demonstrable positive changes in the community.

Every profession involving working with people is quite unpredictable and mentally exhausting for the worker. However, it also offers a lot of spiritual fulfillment and joy, an opportunity to support other people. To maintain oneself in this environment and gain broader recognition in society, self-awareness and a sense of purpose in one's actions are essential. Even playing billiards can be a deeply meaningful and effective activity.

Used sources:
Kötsi, K. (2017). Youth Work as a Profession: The Professionalisation of Youth Work. Master's Thesis. Supervisor: PhD Ilona-Evelyn Rannala. Tallinn University, Institute of Educational Sciences.
Curriculum of Community Education and Hobby Activities at the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy: https://ut.ee/et/oppekavad/kogukonnaharidus-ja-huvitegevus.

Further reading:
Reflecting on youth work and the role of a youth worker: a collection of youth work articles. Editors: Tanja Dibou, Ilona-Evelyn Rannala, Author: Tallinn University, Estonian Youth Work Centre: https://www.digar.ee/arhiiv/et/raamatud/119656

news:

A mobile youth center will be on the move in Tartu this summer

From June 1 to September 1, the Tartu Youth Work Center is launching the MoNo bus—a youth center on wheels—as part of a pilot project, bringing youth work to young people at their everyday gathering places. It is a specially adapted van designed to provide young people with a safe and supportive environment in areas where youth work services are currently unavailable or where young people cannot easily access them on a daily basis. MoNo

Youth workers from the Tartu Youth Work Center on a study trip to Portugal

From April 19–26, youth workers from the Tartu Youth Work Center participated in a study trip to Lisbon, Portugal, as part of the Erasmus+ program, to learn about local street youth work methods, non-formal education, and ways to support young people in the NEET situation. Study trips give youth workers the opportunity to step outside their usual work environment for a moment, learn about different practices, and bring the knowledge and effective solutions they gain back to their own community (Pavlakias and

Tartu Youth Work Center Study Tour Seminar: Bringing Together Knowledge from Around the World

This spring, the staff of the Tartu Youth Work Center went on two study trips: one to Cologne, Germany, and the other to Lisbon, Portugal. On June 3, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., we will gather in the NOKK room on the second floor of the Anne Youth Center (Uus 56, Tartu) for an information seminar on this year’s study trips. We invite all youth workers, activity leaders, and interested city residents from Tartu, Tartu County, and beyond to our information seminar,

“Let’s start a green-thumbed club!”

With the arrival of spring, there’s a growing desire to be outdoors and do something interesting—something that brings joy, excitement, and sparks curiosity. At the Lillekese Youth Center, we’ve found gardening to be the perfect activity for this. We started one Wednesday by weeding the flower bed in front of the Lille House gate. We divided up the tasks on the spot—one person weeds here, another

The Voice of Youth in the Action Plan

Actively involving young people in developing the youth center’s action plan is an important step in fostering their sense of participation and responsibility. Children aged 7–11 are able to successfully express their interests and ideas when provided with a safe and supportive environment. One effective way to do this is through a monthly brainstorming session, during which young people can freely suggest activities and topics. Young people’s opinions matter and have a real impact on the life of the youth center. In addition to the idea generator, it is important to gather ongoing feedback on daily activities to understand what resonates with young people and what needs to be changed. The youth worker’s role here is to guide: to help make ideas more concrete, then link them to an action plan, and involve partners as needed. Even with younger children, simple tools such as voting, drawing, or discussion circles can be used. In a young person’s life, everything changes very quickly: what was relevant two weeks ago

Come work with us this summer – 0.5 FTE mobile youth worker

Mobile Youth Worker (0.5 FTE) For the period June 1 – August 31 Job responsibilities: establishing contact and communicating with young people on the street and in other public places; carrying out youth work activities in the mobile youth work bus; introducing opportunities to young people and supporting them in finding suitable activities; assisting youth workers at the youth center as needed. Requirements for the candidate: higher education (may be in progress); good communication and planning

Students from Annelinna High School visited the Lille Youth Center

The Lille Youth Center, part of the Tartu Youth Work Center, offers young people a wide range of opportunities for participation and personal development. Schools are welcome to visit us for project days or to encourage their students to join our clubs. The clubs operating at the Lille Youth Center include the Hiking Club, Cooking Club, Book Club, Career Club, and the sex education club “Seks vä?”. In addition, we organize city-wide major events, where we welcome young people to actively participate in the organizing teams.