Name: Alex Jones
Job Title: Youth Engagement Lead
What job(s) did you do before this?
- Programme manager – #iWill Social Action programme- LFC Foundation
- NHS Employment mentor – MYA/ Merseycare
- Intensive Mentor- MYA
- Safe Hands project co-ordinator/ Therapeutic mentoring service co-ordinator – Everton in the Community/ Everton Free School
- Programme Manager (overseeing range of projects) – Alternative education programme/ Sports programme/ youth offending programme / housing project – NACRO
- Tutor/ Mentor – St Helens College
- Senior Youth Work manager (Overseeing all weekend provision) – St Helens Youth Service
- Play programme manager – St Helens Youth Service
- Youth Worker – St Helens Youth Service
- Learning Mentor – Sutton Academy
I have also had a range of other non-youth work related jobs earlier in my career. I have been as a club DJ, worked in a barbed wire factory, worked in a cinema as an usher and worked in a food factory.
Briefly describe a typical day in your job role (tasks carried out)
There isn’t a typical day, each day is different. My role involves things such as programme delivery, report writing, writing funding bids, designing new activities, attending meetings, doing presentations, creating new projects such as youth bank and social action projects, writing risk assessments, linking with community-based projects.
Have you had any special training/completed any qualifications?
Yes, I undertook a range of professional Youth Work qualifications, and lots of training to support my role, such as safeguarding training.
What would you say your key skills are? What type of person are you?
I would like to think I am passionate about my job; I work hard to create as many positive opportunities for children and young people as possible. I am a patient person who can think creatively to make activities fun and engaging. I can communicate positively with young people, to provide a supportive environment where young people are empowered to use their voices to enhance service development within Alder Hey.