Ethical employer profile: WAYC

Written by: Heather Wilkinson

The WAYC team help thousands of young people across Warwickshire to realise their potential. Barney Jeffries talks to three people who work for the association of youth clubs to find out what they do, how they got in to it and what advice they have for ethical job seekers looking for a similar career.

Warwickshire Association of Youth Clubs (WAYC, or “way-see”) act as an umbrella organisation, offering support and resources to youth groups, volunteers and projects throughout Warwickshire. As well as working with existing groups and schemes, they help young people to set up and run their own community projects. In total, the association works with 130 youth clubs, 800 youth workers and more than 6,000 young people.

The executive director — William Clemmey

“I was unemployed after I left university and was offered a job on an unemployment project. I went on to train as a youth worker, and have been in the field ever since. When I joined WAYC in 1993 we had five staff and a turnover of £100,000. We now employ 30 staff and turn over £1 million.

“As the executive director, I support the management team, help develop and put into practice business and strategic plans and work closely with the trustees. I oversee and help with the forward planning of budgets and accounts, support and advise on funding bids, and work on whatever other day-to-day tasks come up — I've just been reading over our annual report before it goes off to the printers. And I'll occasionally be called upon to drive a minibus too.

“At WAYC, we won the Warwickshire work-life balance award in 2005, and have been commended two years since. We have a high standard of care for our staff — excellent staff are the key to our success. Environmental concerns like recycling are also very important.

“My advice to anyone considering a career in youth work would be: go for it! It's exciting and dynamic, and there are wonderful opportunities to see people change and their skills and confidence develop. I had an email out of the blue recently from somebody who'd attended a youth group I ran years ago, who had since become a youth worker. It's rare to be able to have that sort of long-term impact, and it's a marvellous feeling.”

The Youth Worker — Cathy Scott

“I didn't ever think I'd be a youth worker. I was unemployed and didn't know what to do, but eventually decided to take two A levels, then went on to do a sociology degree. Then I saw an advert for an assistant youth worker at a local school. I thought,

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