Edge Forum

Michael Jones is a youth worker who has been involved with the Edge Learner Forum since its earliest days. He has become a great leader in the forum and uses his coaching and motivational skills to empower younger forum members in their work with Edge. He’s overcome some fairly big challenges to get working in the field he’s passionate about; he chose youth work because ‘you can give something back while getting something from the young people.’

Who are you?

Michael Jones, 22. I’m a freelance youth worker and trainer.

What was your learning like?

Primary was ok, but when I got to secondary I was in one of the hardest schools in Hackney. Many of the teachers didn’t relate to the pupils, who were mainly from ethnic minorities.

What did you like about it?

I liked going to class, because we just jammed. We played drums on the table.

How did you get to where you are today?

When I got to year 10 there was a new teacher. She left a year after, but she made an effort to speak to the boys, especially the black Caribbean ones. She felt there wasn’t enough emphasis on them. That made me change my outlook, get some GCSEs…

What challenges did you face?

I had a brain tumour when I was younger. That made things a lot harder.

What motivated you?

Having school as a place to relax rather than to learn.

What is success to you?

Finishing what you’re doing. To be able to get on and do the things you want to do.

Any regrets?

I’ve got some general regrets from Secondary school. Fighting, bullying people, that kind of thing.

Who do you consider your role models to be?

People who are close to me rather than those on TV. My religion is my role model, that’s what I aspire to be.

After your brain tumour, did you find it difficult getting back into education?

I don’t think I did. The school tried to provide support and special teachers for every class.

What did you want to do when you were younger?

When I was younger I was always a person people wanted to follow- a leader in my group. When I was 10 it was people 6 and below, now it’s under 19s. So there’s always been a gap!

I wanted to be a banker for a while. But I wanted to give something back. So I thought, ‘be a youth worker’. You can give something back while gaining something from the young people.

Did you feel let down by your school?

No, but they could have helped me more.

How did you get into youth work?

When I left secondary school there was no direct route into youth work. So I went to uni and got into it from there.

What does youth work involve?

Speaking to young people, helping them to work out their issues. Directing them into the right path.

What do you like most about your job?

The young people I get to see every day.

What are your future ambitions?

For the next 5 years, by God’s grace, politics. Then, when I feel more comfortable, I hope to move up a step to be an MP for Hackney.