What's it like to work at YouthNet?
Click to see the mosaic full of all our lovely faces.
How would we describe the typical YouthNet employee? The truth is there isn't one. We are a diverse and inclusive bunch who thrive in a dynamic and creative environment and we welcome difference. We are passionate about our mission and work hard to help YouthNet achieve its aims, but not afraid to down tools and have fun, for example at our regular 'wine club' social sessions.
YouthNet's working environment is lively and informal. We value innovation, commitment and delivery and encourage a good work/life balance.
In our recent staff survey, where 84% of staff participated, everyone agreed that they work in a good physical environment – and that YouthNet staff respect each other.
As part of our survey we asked our colleagues to complete an informal questionnaire and we thought we'd share some of their answers with you.
What is the funniest thing that's happened while at YouthNet?
"Being taught how to tap dance/roll a cigarette/waltz/braid hair by colleagues in a very memorable team away day"
"Probably not funny at the time, but in hindsight it's funny that I was put forward to do a parachute jump [to raise money for YouthNet] in March of all months - what were the chances of that working out?!"
"Discovering that one of the more senior members of YouthNet's staff had put the wrong number for their direct line in their email signature. Callers were connected to a posh retail store in Sloane Square. At least it was somewhere classy!"
"Chris falling off his seat in the quarterly meeting, although I don't think he found it that funny at the time that it broke!!"
If you could invite two famous people to an away day with YouthNet, who would it be and why?
"Beth Ditto- because she's an activist for diversity and seems fairly nice celebrity-wise..."
"Ghandi & Madonna"
"Will Self for the entertainment of hearing him wax lyrical about our strategic planning and Cory Doctorow (he of Boing Boing fame) for his quirky and far sighted take on the applications of technology."
"Ernest Shackleton and Homer Simpson"
If you got stuck in a lift with someone of your choice, who would it be and why?
"A lift engineer. For the obvious reason (although I once saw a lift engineer stuck in a lift and they had to get another lift engineer to get him out, so maybe not the sensible choice)."
"Anyone with stacks of money - so that I could convince them to give lots of it to YouthNet!"
"Giueseppina [our Partnerships Account Manager] - she might be able to calm me down with some yoga!"
"Leila from The Duke Spirit – google her and you'll see why"
"That's tough, I'd have to say Tony Benn – he's a really inspirational speaker and has a million and one fascinating anecdotes"
"Billie Holliday – wouldn't it be great to ask her why?"
What is your proudest achievement whilst at YouthNet?
"Being able to be creative with my work. It just makes getting up in the morning a lot more worth it!"
"Securing the £5m grant from The Vodafone Foundation and subsequent £1.5m match fund from v. Raising £6.5m is pretty cool!"
"Coming into YouthNet as a temp and knowing very little about the organisation and being about to leave and not only knowing about YouthNet but being passionate about its work. I am proud that I have learnt so much in a short space of time."
"Having work praised by senior managers in a quarterly meeting"
"Being given more responsibility as time goes on – pile it on!"
"Overcoming some of my anxiety surrounding project-related work"
If you could do any other role at YouthNet, what would you like to do and why?
"A software developer so I can understand all the complicated work they do."
"Operations Director - it's a hugely rewarding, varied and exciting role and ultimately, this person is responsible for the delivery of all our services to young people."
"I'd like to work with the Young Achievers - they [the young people] are simply inspirational."
And outside work hours?
There's lots of sports and social stuff going on at YouthNet too – as well as cake on Friday if it's your birthday. There are occasional socials down the local and regular outings such as the upcoming bowling evening or the recent fancy-dress Singalonga Sound of Music event. We have a softball team and a new five-a-side football team - plus several staff either DJ or play in bands and let us know when they're playing.
YouthNet staff also find time to volunteer with or support other charities too - here's a list of some of those charities:
Al Arabiyyah Al Islamiyyah, Alzheimers Society, Amnesty International, British Humanist Association, Cancer Research UK, CTT, Citizenship Foundation, Epilepsy Action, Fairtrade Foundation, The Food Chain, Friends of the Earth, Greater London Volunteering , GUCH, Guatemala Solidarity Network, Leukemia Research, Manor Gardens Befriending Scheme, Masjid-e-Umer Trust, Oxfam, Terrence Higgins Trust, RSPB, RSPCA, UNICEF, Waltham Forest Faith Communities Forum, Ummah Welfare Trust , World Vision, WaterAid, WWF, York Lesbian Arts Festival (YLAF), Young Achievers Trust.