Change Makers’ Summer Recap
11th September 2025Andrew Wren, Director
27th November 2025
Naimah Miah - Rise Up member
In support of the National Youth Agency's Youth Work Week 2025, we asked Rise Up member Naimah to speak about how being involved with Participation Works has impacted her. We first met Naimah at Sir John Thursby when she was in year 11. Now, three years later, Naimah is studying Medicine & Surgery at the University of Manchester & has a paid role in our Rise Up group, helping to shape future opportunities for young people as part of our project in partnership with the Youth Futures Foundation.
How has being part of this project brightened/impacted your future?
- Enabled me to use my voice to amplify the voice of others and this made me feel like I was genuinely making a difference within my community.
- It motivated me to pursue a career where I am actively engaged with people and working to make a difference in people’s lives; I decided to pursue medicine.
- Helped boost a range of different skills which I did not have before the project - communication, EMPATHY, team work, cultural competency, public speaking.
How has being supported by a youth worker/trusted adult impacted you?
- Great support; everyone I met was really friendly and welcoming. Lynne was definitely a trusted adult - it was nice to know I had access to an adult outside of friends and family, who I could open up and talk to if I ever needed it.
- Meeting up with the team and Lynne to chat over meals helped me during times where college and university applications were getting stressful.
- Youth workers were open to talking about ‘taboo’ topics; first time in my life I could openly engage, talk about these and ask questions in a safe space.
- Youth workers often helped us reach our goals; often Lynne provided excellent references for me to enable volunteering opportunities, etc.
What does a safe space mean to you?
- A space where I can be myself and express my opinions with no judgement.
- A space where my beliefs, choices and ideas are respected.
- Usually, a safe space will be somewhere physically safe - i.e. in a place I am familiar with, and in a confidential setting.
- Safe space also refers to the people I am around; friendly, welcoming and non-judgemental people make a biggg difference.
- Being with people that I know.
How could a youth worker better support you?
- I think youth workers are already very supportive.
- Some additional things they could do is engage the youth more via social media such as creating Instagram reels or TikToks/doing livestreams where young people can join from the comfort of their own homes (reduces cost and is more accessible) talking about key safeguarding issues/‘taboo’ topics.
Lots of food for thought there as we reflect on the themes of Youth Work Week. Thank you, Naimah!
