The Power of Youth Work

Youth work has long been recognised as a powerful tool in shaping the lives of young people, offering them opportunities to develop personally, socially, and educationally in ways distinct from formal education. Despite a growing body of research on the role of youth work, understanding its full impact remains a complex challenge. This article is based on a recent report for No Knives Better Lives and YouthLink Scotland exploring the impact of youth work through a lifecourse perspective, a method that promises to illuminate its long-term significance. By employing qualitative biographical interviews, it investigated the intricate ways youth work intersects with other aspects of a young person's life, revealing its role as a supportive, preventive service.