Hello, please introduce yourself and tell us what you do at The Door

Ok, hello, I’m Morgana and I’m a Sessional Youth Worker at The Door. That means I work with the other Youth Workers to run youth club sessions for young people aged 11-17.

Thank you, now could you tell us how you came to be at The Door?

Which time?

Of course! This is the second time you have joined the team. How about the first time.

Ok, simple really, I was the age where you were supposed to be in training or employment or college and I wasn’t in any of them. I wasn’t really sure what I was doing next when my mum saw and advert to work at The Door. We’ve always known about The Door and eventually (after lots of persuading!) I applied.

I really enjoyed working as a youth worker and I did some telephone mentoring for a while too but I was missing out on my other passion – art. An opportunity came up to study Art and Design in Bristol and after some thought I went for it.

It’s something I always thought was out of reach but it was suddenly right in front of me. Now a year later after completing the course I’ve come back to Stroud to do some illustrating. Seeing The Door was hiring again I went for it straight away this time!

And we are so glad you did! So, what is your favourite thing about being a youth worker? 

I really like how as a Sessional I get to move around all the different youth clubs and meet so many young people. I also love the role because I am always learning, either from my colleagues or the young people. And it’s been great to see how the young people I knew before have grown – and not just those few inches taller! But, to see their confidence has increased, their sense of self is much stronger and their general well-being flourish.

Excellent – so what is the more challenging side of the role?

It’s kind of the same answer – being in lots of different places all the time does mean it’s harder to establish meaningful relationships with the young people, and as someone that doesn’t actually like meeting new people it’s a challenge. But I like the fact that it makes me push myself out of my comfort zone.

And what is it you are looking forward to at the moment?

I’m just really excited to be back doing something I love, seeing the young people every week and building those deeper relationships. I’m looking forward to getting to know them all better, nurturing a new cohort and seeing the young adults that they grow into. I’m also excited to see how the new youth clubs in the Cotswolds continue to grow now they are more established.

Great, now onto the fun questions..

Ok

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

Oh I don’t know – I used to say peanut butter but I’ve recently become allergic to nuts so that’s no good anymore.

Oh No!

I haven’t found my new favourite yet.

Fair enough, what about sports? Do you follow any?

No not really, I probably follow artists more!

Ok, who’s your inspiration at the moment?

Iris Compiet, their style is much like the illustrations I’m working on.

Cool! And finally do you have any advice or a saying you’d like to share?

Oh, I never remember those! But… I think “Fake it til you make it” is a good one.

Great

Thank you