From Oxfordshire Youth to independence – a young person’s journey to university

Oxfordshire Youth celebrates ‘Ali’ who is starting his degree after ‘graduating’ from our Young People’s Supported Accommodation (Y.P.S.A.) service. He came to Oxfordshire Youth having experienced very little support for his education in his birth family, saying “I didn’t find school easy”. Ali’s case notes made it clear he had survived a very challenging childhood. 

Y.P.S.A. is a life-changing service for young people in need of safe accommodation and specialist support. Oxfordshire Youth supports over 100 young people aged 18-25 in high quality two, three and four bedroom homes provided by our project partner Response. 

Our Progression Coaches offer support and access to training for young people that enables them to grow in confidence, and move onto their next independent steps. Ali explains the transformative impact this support had on his life.

“If I had been in a loving family when I was younger then I wouldn’t be so independent now. My challenges hindered me in some ways emotionally, I find it hard to be introspective but my family circumstances pushed me to become more self reliant and reach beyond my comfort zone. 

I got involved with Y.P.S.A. in June 2023 and over this period, I’ve had three Progression Coaches who’ve each been beneficial in different ways. They’ve been the support figures I needed when I had none. 

One of the coaches was the catalyst for my journey towards studying at university. He’s the reason why I took such a profoundly, big step.I think starting university will open a lot of doors for me, it’s really exciting! 

People can be their own worst enemies and they can let their past define them and dictate what they do for the rest of their lives. It might be easier not to take a big step, but I think you need to use the support that’s offered and push yourself.

Being at university will shape me a lot, and in this environment, I’ll have the space to uncover the parts of me that I need to develop and understand. 

After this, I think I’ll go on to study for my master’s and PhD. My previous tutors said that they think I should get into lecturing or becoming a professor or something similar. I think that’s down the line for me but I would like to work in academia at some point”.

If Ali’s story inspires you to consider a career in youth work, Oxfordshire Youth runs a Level 2 Award in Youth Work Principles to get you started. Contact hayley.reynolds@oxfordshireyouth.org to talk about the course. We want tomorrow’s youth workers to reflect today’s population and welcome applications from members of the global majority, the neurodiverse, disabled people and anyone with lived experience which may be similar to that of the young people we work with. Talk to Hayley about how your lived experience could make you the ideal youth worker.