A small overview of young people’s opinions on the youth centre
In order to create the picture of an ideal youth centre, we needed to hear the voices of young people, the main users of youth centres. A total of 47 young people, aged between 16 and 29, were interviewed. Here you can find the vision of young people, summed up by youth workers who worked on this project to show what an ideal youth centre should look like.
Recommendations on how youth work can be implemented and, above all, how the positive perception and recognition of open youth work can be improved. It contains: a vision of a youth centre in terms of space, time and conditions; a detailed description of open youth work; recommendations about youth workers’ profile.
THE PROJECT
OPEN YOUTH WORK FOR OPEN SOCIETY is an international project that aims to raise awareness about open youth work and stimulates a discussion through different perspectives of young people, youth workers and social scientists. The project involves five partners from different countries that worked together to create this dossier as an argumentation aid to support open youth work.
Voices of the project
“I believe that the staff has a nice understanding of us and our problems. That's why we are able to talk with them”
Germany
“So, I would say preferably it would look like a graffiti store. All the entrance with spray cans sticker text of graffiti spray, and generally also full of posters or pictures of spray cans, I will celebrate in particular”
Germany
“They ask me who I am and how I feel. They introduce me to other people. I feel welcomed, but not forced. They show me the building and opportunities, and connect me with peers.”
Germany
I believe, that the staff has a nice understanding of us and our problems. Thats why we are able to talk with them.
Germany
"Well, whatever you can imagine, everything for youngsters that is creative. for example music and film workshops, rooms writing and journalism."
Serbia
“I see a big room with posters, pictures and paintings from people that come there. Walls painted, everything is very crafty!”
Spain
“A young friendly enthusiastic staff member is running a team building activity. Everyone is laughing and having the time of their life while trying to solve the team task that they were given in the activity”.
Slovenia
“The best thing that the YC does is that it connects people from different backgrounds and people with different priorities.”
Slovenia
“I think it gives young people the feeling that they are not alone, that they always have someone or someplace where they can go and be heard and understood. I would say that the YC is good at connecting people that would otherwise not even meet.”
Slovenia
“I see big rooms, painted walls with powerful colours and the walls are written, and that gives me the idea that this place has been lived by a lot of people!”
Italy
