Where youth work meets politics (with a big P)
OK, there goes me street cred (if I ever had any, tho I did get asked the other day if I worried about such things at my age!).......but I found myself feeling a little sorry for Boris today. I suppose my unexpected feelings spring from an appreciation of how being well meaning can sometimes end one up in the soup.
Boris's decision to appoint Ray Lewis as one of his deputies I saw at the time as a sound move and if nothing else I was delighted that he had recognised that a youth worker rather than a police officer could offer more in the fight against youth crime. So far from crowing I am rather disappointed that he hasn't had an opportunity to even begin to get to grips with a serious problem that is destroying lives on almost a daily basis. This is not to condone any wrong doing if it is proved, or to excuse Boris for his lack of judgement, but to put what has happened (in which as far as I know nobody died), in the context of the far more serious problem in which many young people are dying and families (of victims and perpetrators) are being devastated. Do we want to take the risk of involving those who may have answers but don't tick all the boxes, or maintain the status quo with those who tick all the boxes but never get beyond the questions? This morning we have heard the news that Martin McGuinness and Lord Alderdice are going to Iraq to try and help them move forward in building a peaceful and cohesive future for that country. I don't hear anyone disqualifying Martin McGuinness from that vital task because of his past? I know I am venturing into dangerous waters, we expect our public servants to be beyond reproach, but sometimes they don't have the answers for that very reason. Frankly if we want to resolve any problem we surely have to involve those who understand, are affected by, or part of the problem. Anything less will lead us back into the vicious circle, the blind allies, the mealymouthed words that have failed to even come close to changing things.
About LINDA JACK
I have spent most of my life in youth work getting the bug as a teenager. After leaving school I started on an art pre dip course but then ran away to join the army! This, surprisingly, lasted nearly 4 years, working as an analyst in Special Intelligence. This was also my first attempt at collective bargaining - it didn't go down too well and I was threatened with a charge of mutiny - the only charge punishable by death!
After doing a combined teaching and youth work degree I went on to teach for a short while but then went into fulltime youth work.
During my youth work career I have been a club based, outreach and detached worker. I also represented Unison on the JNC and as chair of the Youth and Community Workers Forum for several interesting years.
I now work on the FSA Financial Capability Strategy as a Youth Policy Adviser with particular responsibility for developing our strategy to meet the needs of young people who are not in education employment or training.
I have been a local councillor and parliamentary candidate and am currently a Prospective European Parliamentary Candidate (PEPC) for the Eastern Region. I also sit on the Federal Policy and International Relations Committees of the Liberal Democrats.
I am a trustee of ElijahTrust ( a charity working with the 20% Arab minority in Israel) and chair of Compowerment a charity committed to community cohesion.
When I get time to myself I love walking, talking (!) spending time with friends and family and anything artistic. For me, my eyes are the greatest gift God gave me and this is the sense I couldn't survive without.
I have two adorable children, Lara and Ravi and an even more adorable granddaughter Sumaiyah!