Who is east to west? east to west is a Christian charity that strives to see Youth Workers and Churches empowered and equipped to impact and transform the lives of Young People through the hope that we find in our Christian faith: hope of restoration, reconciliation and transformation.

Description
An east to west School Relational Youth Worker (SRYW) is based four days a week in a school and spends time building purposeful relationships with the students. The non-teacher, non-student nature of the role allows a unique relationship to be formed where confidence is central and advice and support are offered. The SRYW’s are involved in a wide variety of activities based upon our desire to simply support schools by asking; “how can we serve you”. This question enables each of the schools we work in to be impacted in a personalised and responsive way as east to west does not seek to deliver a one style fits all approach to serving and supporting schools and young people.

At present the SRYW’s serve schools in settings ranging from pastoral support and mentoring through to Duke of Edinburgh Award Schemes and after school provision, from Young Carers Groups to Christian Union’s, from group sessions on behaviour management through to Christian lessons and assemblies, from residental holiday’s through to enrichment weeks. Additionally our workers seek to act as an interface to the local church offering training and accreditation that will enable the local church to serve and support the life of the school. This holistic provision is seen as a vital addition to the well-being of the individual and the school community as a whole.

·         Charters School, Sunningdale ·         Magna Carta School, Staines ·         Matthew Arnold School, Staines

 It is our desire that this service continues to grow and develop. 

Evidence
In 2008 east to west implemented a recording system that monitors the impact and effect of the SRYW’s using the 5 ‘Every Child Matters’ outcomes. To date, an average week in a school records interventions and support to young people in the following areas:

How does this role operate in the school? east to west’s strategy is to place the youth workers into schools so they can offer a more flexible, responsive and accessable service to both students and members of staff. Being on-site four days a week enables the SRYW to become part of the life of the school and not simply an external sessional worker. Equally being part of the schools community enables the SRYW to build strong relationships of trust with key staff and internal and external agencies in order that appropiate referrals and interventions can be made. The four days based in the school are exclusive of Wednesday, where at the east to west office SRYW are involved in team meetings, management & personal development meetings, admin and training.

We have a number of vulnerable children who use our Youth Worker for emotional support. It is a testament to their work that some of our students have not only completed their education but actually have blossomed as young people…I can directly attribute theses successes to east to west’s direct work with the children concerned…I would commend the work of east to west to any Headteacher.   Philip Roe, former Head The Magna Carta School

Expectations of east to west

1. east to west would oversee and manage the youth worker.
2. east to west would employ the youth worker according to east to west policies and procedures, however the schools operating policies will take president.
3. east to west would ensure a high level of service both professionally and personally to the school.
4. east to west would facilitate and be responsible for all cost’s of this post.
5. east to west would facilitate the funding of the post.
6. east to west would seek regular feedback in order to develop the post.

Expectations of a school

1. The school would provide appropriate office space for the youth worker.
2. The school would provide internet access and a phone in the office.
3. The school would provide a senior member of staff as point person to offer direction and accountability.
4. The school would provide personal indemnity cover for the youth worker.
5. The school would be asked to give a financial contribution to the post, east to west does not have a fixed fee, simply asking for a gift which would be revisited each year. On average a school’s contribution is £6,000 per annum towards the over all budget of £28,000 per annum.
6. The school would be asked to partner with east to west for an initial one year trial period and after review to partner in three yearly cycles.

Development of role
In partnership with the school east to west would establish yearly targets and termly goals to ensure that the post is responsive, flexible and effective.

east to west is dedicated to ensuring that the highest standards of youth work are delivered, as such all of our team are appraised in their work, developed by a personal coach and trained to meet the needs of their role. By 2010 all SRYW will be qualified or in the process of professional qualification to a minimum of NVQ level 3 in Youth Work.

If you would like to know more about how east to west, through SRYW, can support your school then please contact Andy Burns on 01932 571301, andy@easttowest.org.uk

Mentoring and supporting young people is a real passion for me. I’ve recently been spending weekly time supporting a young person who is going through a very tumultuous time within her family. We have been practically doing things together to bring closure and perspective to the past, like creating a memories book and a photo collage for her family for Christmas. “Tracey has helped me cope with both home and school through talking with me about my problems. She has brought a place for me where I can come and go and feel safe and able to talk about things that are close to me and what is worrying me.”

Matthew Arnold Young Carers is a provision set up to support young people who in their personal lives are carers of either siblings or parents suffering from disabilities or illnesses. Young Carers offers respite to these young people whose lives otherwise revolve around the support they give to their sibling or parent. The club provides space to have fun and provides support through leaders or peers. Thanks must go to Spelthorne Youth Council for providing a grant that will keep the club running. Once a month it provides a safe harbour in which to meet with other young carers who attend the school and an opportunity to talk with other young carers who attend the school and an opportunity to talk with people they know understand.