Thomas Hunt - Why Youth Work...Works

‘Tom Hunt is a bit of a legend in the Nawton community of Kirikiriroa Hamilton’ says Western Community Centre Manager Neil Tolan…‘The love care and drive he has to support and grow our local youth is an inspiration to us all and we are so lucky to have him here’.This month, lotsoflittlefires Joe Wilson, sits down with Tom Hunt (youth worker legend) to discuss and learn what traits and techniques makes a good youth worker and how Tom (and anyone for that matter) can utilise these to create safe, caring, positive and supportive environments for our youth to be the positive change, that deep down, they all want to be. As a trainer of youth workers with Praxis, we also discuss what some of the major systems barriers are that are leading to many youth workers leaving the sector in search of better pay and secure contracts and what could be done to better care for the good youth workers who we all rely on to look after many of our youth. We are so grateful to Tom for sharing his wisdom, insights and heart for the young people in his community. This story is really punching to have the experienced voice and knowledge of the youth development sector to be heard, respected and followed by those who are shaping the policies and processes in government and funding positions.