Model youth worker - Jon Feltham, assistant support worker, YMCA Hove
Janaki Mahadevan
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
At just 25, Jon Feltham is almost the same age as some of the young residents he works with at Hove YMCA. But his relative youth has not stopped him from making a big impression during the 15 months he has spent as an assistant support worker in the south-coast town.
In fact, Feltham became the first recipient of the YMCA youth worker of the year award in early November after facing stiff competition from YMCA youth workers across England. "If you put 100 per cent in you will get 100 per cent out," says Feltham. And listening to some of the young residents who nominated him shows how this has paid off.
"I've had a lot of problems over the past year and Jon is always there for me," says one young resident Mateusz. "I get nervous going to appointments and Jon always changes his work shifts to go with me."
It is not hard to see why both colleagues and young people warm to Feltham. He is lively, enthusiastic and down-to-earth, but most of all he is committed to helping others.
"I was overwhelmed, happy but completely shocked," says Feltham on receiving his award. "Working with young people is something I have always wanted to do and I couldn't have asked for a better team to work with. There are so many people to look up to."
Feltham left school after his GCSEs. He then did a number of jobs, including a spell working as a labourer. At 24 he decided to take steps towards a career working with children and young people. The first opportunity arose when he joined the Prince's Trust team programme as a volunteer assistant team leader. Here, he worked with unemployed young people who lacked the confidence or qualifications to get into employment. "I think my age helps me to relate to them," he says. "I was 24 when I joined the Prince's Trust programme and had knowledge of how to get into employment.
"I became really inspired by the work of my project team leader there and I suppose I wanted to be a bit like him."
Seeing youth workers in practice spurred Feltham to apply for a part-time position at the local YMCA so he could reach more young people. "The YMCA really caught my eye and when the job came it was absolutely ideal," he explains. "I knew it did some really good work in Hove and I was incredibly happy to join." Feltham now provides one-to-one support for 10 young residents helping with problems ranging from employment to court cases.
His presence at the centre has motivated both young residents and colleagues alike. "When you first meet young people they are often incredibly anxious but to help them through that and help them to learn to live independently and move into the private rented sector is great," he says.
Kristina, a young person who along with Mateusz nominated Feltham for the title of youth worker of the year, says she is extremely grateful to Jon.
"I have known Jon for a year, and he has helped me so much," she says. "My incapacity benefit was stopped and Jon accompanied me to get legal advice. He wrote a supporting letter to the tribunal and liaised with my primary nurse and GP to gather evidence.
"Eventually, my claim was reactivated. He took all the stresses away and he just has the best attitude."
Feltham gets just as much praise from his line manager and senior project leader Angie Fowles, who says: "I have never had a worker like Jon. He makes all of us want to try our hardest. He really does make us believe that we can change things."
Feltham is keen to spend a few more years working to get experience. But he is already thinking about expanding his skills and trying to reach more young people in vulnerable situations.
"I would like to be a social worker and am currently studying for an NVQ in health and social care," he says. "I am happy here and want to get as much experience as possible, but it would be great to help as many young people as I can."
Jon Feltham - What his colleagues say
Angie Fowles, senior project leader: "I have worked for the YMCA for a number of years and sometimes you can become a bit jaded or demotivated, especially when things get difficult. But because Jon is so motivated, he makes me want to be better."
Caroline Jones, senior support worker: "Jon is tremendous at engaging young people who otherwise wouldn't get involved. He is so responsive to any request and somehow always manages to build new tasks in his schedule despite his already busy day. He is dependable, consistent and good humoured in what is sometimes a very stressful environment."
