We recently had the pleasure of hosting a German student through the Erasmus+ programme. Tina joined us on an 6 month internship and was involved lots of different areas of CY. Here are her thoughts on her time with us………..
I did a five month placement at Canongate Youth Project from September 2017 – February 2018. I was involved in organising, planning and running most of the afternoon clubs at Canongate Youth as well as the Play Ranger project.
Canongate Youth is a very unique organisation. They provide a whole range of activities and programs for children and young people. The combination of afternoon clubs and activities for children and young people and support work is one of a kind. I haven’t seen another organisation like this. I also think the Old School Cafe project is a wonderful thing. Young people can learn how to cook and be in customer service and also connect with the people of the community that visits the cafe. Volunteers have the opportunity to get valuable work experience at Canongate Youth, while supporting the staff in the clubs.
My favourite activity has to be the play rangers project. The Play rangers come equipped with lots of play resources, games and ideas to the playground at Dumbiedykes. The project provides free play outside for the children while meeting their friends in a protected and secure setting while being in their own outside environment.
What impressed me is that Canongate Youth is a very community-based organisation. They are close to the people they work with, not just the children and young people they work with but also with their families/caregivers. Canongate Youth gives children and young people the opportunity and support to learn, grow, become the person they want to become and release their full potential.
Every club is run by experienced and competent staff members who are passionate about working with children and young people. I was impressed on how everyone works really professionally and have fun at the same time. The team at Canongate Youth is one of a kind – very supportive, professional, very welcoming, open minded, trustworthy, empathic, respectful, positive, cooperative and just lovely. Everyone maintains a communication that is based on appreciation and acceptance. Every team member is incredible in what they are doing and unique in their own way.
Participation, inclusion, child/young person – lead, support, nurturing and empowering is very important at Canongate Youth. Everyone is welcomed at Canongate Youth, no matter what their background is. They understand diversity, individuality and variety of all people as an enrichment and normality. They show empathy and respect towards children, young people and their families. They support children and young people to develop a positive self-concept, confidence, a positive attitude, responsibility. They learn how to deal with problems and looking after oneself and the people that surround them.
Not a single day is the same at Canongate Youth. The work can be challenging, fun, surprising every day and very rewarding. Canongate Youth constantly evaluates their work and their ministries and look for areas to improve. They always try to improve, innovate, reach more, and become more effective in their work. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to work at Canongate Youth along such a positive, fun and welcoming team.Thank you so much everyone at CY. You are dearly missed! (kind reminder of planning a roadtrip to Berlin 🙂 !)
A huge thank you to Tina for her very kind words and all her hard work! We will miss you and hopefully get to see you in Berlin soon!!