How I Got Here: Stephen Lewis, community youth worker, Popworks Youth Centre, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire

You're a local boy then?

I started coming down to Popworks regularly when I was about 13. My youth worker later suggested I do senior member training. I really enjoyed that and started working on projects such as a football fun day linked to the World Cup and going on club trips as an additional member of staff. It built my confidence a great deal. When I was 18 I was asked if I wanted to sign up for a Level 2 course in youth work.

When did you decide it might be a career?

When I was given responsibility to run a rural youth club I started to think it could be a job. When you are 16 and just know your own club, you don't realise there's so much you can do in youth work.

So you did more training?

I was fortunate that Pembrokeshire had six places for youth workers to study for a professional qualification. I studied part-time for three years for an Open University foundation degree. It was good that we had to go off and do placements in a different setting - that really improved me as a youth worker.

And now?

I've come full circle and am back here — I've just started as full-time worker. I think it helps that I know the issues, such as the isolation and the poor transport links. I've got a professional qualification but I'll definitely be going on to do an honours degree.