Helping others gives young people a sense of purpose

Two decades ago, there was quite a fractious debate within the youth work field about the idea of “social action” youth work. Critically, it involved the “why” question – young people said “what” they wanted and youth workers were often too hasty in trying to deliver those aspirations, without paying enough attention as to “why” it was an issue.

A very different concept of social action in the lives of young people has now emerged, following the call by Prime Minister David Cameron at a meeting during the summer for the establishment of a decade of social action. Now the question has moved to “how” young people can be involved in social action, throughout their teenage years. It is no longer about what we can do for young people, but rather more about what young people can do for us.

The engagement of young people in service to others is, of course, generally viewed as good for them, too. It was part of the rationale behind the formation of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the 1950s, as its instigator Kurt Hahn agonised over the declines in British society and how these might be rectified.

Current plans are under wraps and probably have none of the grand philosophy attached by Hahn to his initiative. Yet there are likely to be important parallels, however much cynics may seek to condemn any current proposals as plugging the gaps in the receding welfare state and further exploitation of the young. In hard times, young people do need to develop a sense of purpose and direction in their lives. They do need to be connected to generations and communities in order to give them a sense of place and position. And they do need to find a moral compass to form a sense of self when they are surrounded by an apparent collapse of values as the corruption, negligence and abuse of both individuals and institutions is reported all around them.

Social action activity
Quite how this is to be achieved is yet to be fathomed, but there is little doubt that the much-heralded political flagship National Citizen Service (NCS), the programme of personal and social development for young people at age 16, however necessary, is not sufficient. What is needed are stepping stones and building blocks towards NCS, which can become a crossroads towards more committed service and social action activity on a wider canvas. Such pre-NCS projects could, at least theoretically, take place within schools, through local youth organisations, community projects and, indeed, private initiatives for the public good. We might even whisper “Big Society”, albeit cautiously.

I hope it is acknowledged that a lot of the underpinning ideas are already well established. There is a vast amount of voluntary effort expended by young people that we are aware of, and possibly much, much more that remains almost invisible. The personal and private efforts of individual young people in caring and supporting those close to them should never be forgotten.

So there are plenty of foundation stones for any new approach to social action by young people. Current models need to be marshalled, connected, recognised and rewarded, and extended to more young people, within a coherent framework of options and progression. It will then take its place, alongside academic and vocational pathways to provide for learning, opportunity and development.

Howard Williamson is professor of European youth policy at the University of Glamorgan