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Youthwork in Newcastle: Meeting Patchwork
13th June 2017
When I looked for Patchwork head office I expected to find a typical English house, like the Northbourne one.
What I found, on the contrary, is a shop window and a door, like a normal store. And after few hours of conversation with the Patchwork family, as I’ll start calling them from now on, I think this office perfectly suits them.
When you walk in the street you can go to the bakery, because you need some bread. You can go to the barber because you need a shave. And you can go to Patchwork, because you need someone to spend time with, someone who listens to you and likes to do that.
Maybe you need an advice, a bit of help, or just something to do; if that’s what you want, you’re in the right place.
It seems I have a magical power which brings me to places exactly when they have free food to offer. That day was Michael’s birthday, and a delicious chocolate cake was waiting for him – thanks Carol!
While trying to be civilized and don’t devour my slice, I took my pen and asked them some questions: I felt like a cool interviewer!
The story behind Patchwork is different but in many ways similar to that of other youth organisations. We can say, they simply wanted to be present for people in needs, like a family is with its relatives.
I asked them if they had a success story to tell me about, and their answer was so significant I didn’t need to ask many more questions.
The concept of success and failure, explained Michael, is partial (or “rubbish”, as he kindly specified). When a person has success in life, it’s not thanks to only one event or one specific person. There are many factors which can influence them, and this is how Patchwork members feel: a part of people’s lives. As long as they can welcome them, give them the support they expect, a familiar presence, they are doing a successful job.
“It’s a privilege to work with kids with problems”
The same thinking stands behind their second answer. “Do you have some fail stories?”
As success depends on many factors in someone’s life, also does failure. They will feel to have failed if they are not able to approach them respectfully, to be welcoming with them.
It also seems they are not facing particular problems in this period, such us bureaucratic issues. When they have to interact with other organizations, they like to sit down and talk, so everything can be clear from the beginning and they can work together with fewer problems.
After the interview, they showed me the main office and the other space they have Patchwork 2, where young people can play and do some of the activities they plan.
But, sometimes, pictures and videos are better than words, so why not have a look on their Facebook pages Patchwork and Patchwork2 ?
Good luck with your work guys, and thank you again for the great cake warm welcome!
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