Experiences

This section of the website is to give people a chance to talk about their experiences with FARE.

Shaun Harper - Trainee youth worker

I got involved with FARE by speaking to the integration team while they were doing Streetwork in the Gallowgate.  They asked if myself and my friends would be interested in working with FARE and also to let my friends know that they were starting a club in our area which would involve trips like go-karting, football, gorge walking and residentials.  Working with FARE has now given me the opportunity to become a trainee youth worker. I became a trainee youth worker with the integration team to inform young people in the Gallowgate about the club, trips and the residentials that will be taking place.

As a trainee youth worker I help out in clubs and trips. I also have the opportunity to get involved with the Territorial History project within primary schools over the Greater Easterhouse area.  Alongside this I’m currently on a training course with Project Scotland.  FARE has also helped me gain a place on a college course (Intro to Youth and Community work) which will help me work towards becoming a qualified worker.

The skills I’ve gained whilst working with FARE are how to work with young people, tackle any issues they might have with any other young people from different area or backgrounds, leadership skills and team building skills.

What I plan to do in the future is pass my college course, finish my training course and look at gaining full time employment working with young people.

William Palmer – Trainee youth worker

I have been involved with FARE more or less since it began. I used to attend the club when it was in the Salvation Army when it was only two pence to get in. I came right through all the clubs and now work for them training to be a youth worker.

I do a host of things for and with FARE. I work some of the youth clubs, I am involved with the gang workshops and all the different projects FARE provide for the primary schools and the public. I also work with a lot of different individuals and we take them to play football and other activities.

I have gained an awful lot of new skills working for FARE. I have gained my C.S.L.A. and Early Touches certificates which are S.F.A credited. I have also gained Canoeing, orienteering, food hygiene and first aid certificates which has helped me on my journey to becoming a youth worker. I have gained a lot of experience in working with youths and also in the territorial / gang related issues which I feel I can help with as I was a victim of knife crime and I know how hard it can be.

I plan to gain the right skills to be a youth worker so I can hopefully show young people there are things out there, different facilities to use to keep them out of a life of territorialism and gang culture. I plan to do this to with the knowledge and experience I have and most importantly to the best of my ability.

Ashley Thomson - Trainee youth worker

FARE was an organisation which I had heard lots about.  The work that they have done really impressed me and so I decided that it was something that I wanted to be a part of.  I went for an interview for sessional youth worker and they offered me an opportunity to be a Project Scotland volunteer.  I jumped at the chance and through doing this I have gained valuable experience and confidence. 

When my time with the Project Scotland programme finished I was given the opportunity to become a trainee youth worker which allowed me to go to college and also continue to work at FARE to gain more experience and qualifications.

I was also put forward for a Peer Link award for the work I had done at FARE.  I was completely surprised at this and couldn’t be more grateful to the team that I work with for nominating me. My award was the “Special award for contribution to gangs and territorialism in Scotland 2009” and I went to London for two days to receive it.  There was an award ceremony and we also got the chance to go and look around London.

Working for FARE has already been extremely rewarding and the young people that I have the privilege to work with in the community make my job worth while. The team that I work with are friendly, enthusiastic and help whenever you need it. The banter isn’t half bad either.

My plans for the future would be to continue with my education until I have completed my HND and then work my way up in FARE.

Nikki Quinn – Volunteer

I have been attending FARE for 4 years now. I have been involved in a girls group and through this I have gained new friends, confidence and new skills. I have done a lot of things with the girls group like laser quest, canoeing and gorge walking. I am also currently completing my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award through FARE and the girls group. Just now we are doing a fitness programme. We have gym passes, are going jogging and have started a healthy eating program.

Through my experience at FARE it has made me want to become a youth worker. I am now volunteering at FARE and attending college studying an HNC in Community Development.