Homeless people need a voice in Scotland's corridors of power
Well-meaning systems designed to help vulnerable young people are often not designed with their needs in mind
I have worked as the youth participation lead at charity Cyrenians for several years now, facilitating discussions, consultations and campaigns with the young people who use our services – many of whom have experienced or are at risk of homelessness – to make sure their voices are heard.
I have always been interested in this kind of work. I originally went to university to study fine art but my work was always very political. After graduating, I ended up going into social work.
Youth participation is the perfect job for me. In my previous roles, I felt really frustrated by the systems I was having to work within – I could see how they were setting up incredibly traumatised young people to fail.
Whilst it was well-meaning, much of the support that was available to the young people I was working with was not designed with their needs in mind.
Misunderstandings
I have first-hand experience of this – my own childhood contained some trauma, including domestic abuse and the risk of homelessness. I know how those experiences can impact you throughout your life, in ways that are sometimes misjudged or misinterpreted by people who want to help you.
I also know that it is very hard to understand why a person may behave in a certain way, when you haven’t been through it yourself.
Many of the young people I work with are drawn to Cyrenians’ services because they seem like a good alternative to school, or a place where they can be themselves.
Our ‘Creative Natives’ group is a great example. On the face of it, it is an art club for young people. But really, it’s a place where they can be who they are and build relationships with trustworthy adults.
I can think of three examples, off the top of my head, of young people who have opened up about things that are happening in their home because they have been given the time to build that trust.
Young people’s passion
Once they are out of immediate harm’s way, it is amazing how many feel strongly that they want to use their experience to make a difference. I am constantly amazed at the passion – and the compassion – of young people I work with, who are willing to talk about very difficult things in the hope that what happened to them will not happen to anyone else.
In almost every consultation, conference or meeting we have attended, the organiser has commented that the input from the young people themselves was the most astute and engaging. That should not be a surprise.
As we move forward to the next election, my hope is that current and future MSPs, ministers and policymakers will see people with lived experience as a font of knowledge and as the starting point for the most impactful solutions. But this can only happen if they take the time to build trust and to meet people where they are at.
Maxine McGinn is the youth participation lead at homelessness charity Cyrenians. For more information, visit its website cyrenians.scot
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