At 18-years-old, Alex Johnstone, who lives in Goole, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, says that the support they’ve received from Goole Youth Action and other local youth clubs in the area has enabled them to get through some dark times and in particular, helped them to come to terms with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis and coming out as transgender aged 14 years.
Finding a sense of belonging
During this time, in year 10, Alex rediscovered youth work and found a sense of belonging at the local youth club. “My youth worker actually knew me from before I was trans,” Alex explained, recalling how the youth worker that they turned to was someone they’d first met at aged eight, when they’d initially attended youth club.
Talking through challenges
“I was surprised to meet the same youth worker I’d had years before. But it was great – they were just so openminded and didn’t judge me at all.” This youth worker offered to talk to Alex about the challenges they were facing with their identity and being accepted by their chosen name at school.
Alex, 18
Alex had been making poor lifestyle choices as a coping mechanism. The death of their grandmother added grief to their emotional problems and burnout soon followed.
A much-needed lifeline
Feeling safe is a big priority for Alex and it was the youth club that provided some respite and sense of feeling valued.
“At youth club we work out our differences and arguments are shut down, but youth workers don’t talk in an authoritative way.”
The support of youth workers was a much-needed lifeline to Alex: “Youth work definitely helped take me out of my dark times and helped me deal with feeling challenges at school, as well as problems at home.”
“I’m comfortable in my surroundings at youth club. There are people there to support you – you don’t get that with other activities, where you can feel quite isolated.”
Acceptance of diversity
Alex’s osteoarthritis was diagnosed when they were just nine years old and as the condition worsened participating in sports became less possible and they were required to use a walking stick on occasions.
It’s obvious that Alex can be themselves in youth work spaces where there’s an acceptance of diversity.
“There used to be a group of lads that would pick on me, but the youth workers helped a lot. They enable the young people to find a common ground without coming across as authoritarian”.
Alex is now a volunteer providing support to other young people. They explained: “Some young people out there don’t have anyone to turn to, so it’s important for me to try to be that person’”
Having recently completed their Level-2 youth work qualification, Alex hopes to one day apply their experience of overcoming identity and mental health challenges to a career in youth work. Alex determinedly intends to turn their lived experiences into a positive: “I went through some traumatic stuff so that means I can see the warning signs in other young people – I hope that anyone experiencing similar issues will feel they can come to me for a chat.”
Alex is also treasurer for the town’s Pride celebration organising committee having helped get the venture off the ground in 2021. The group of young people leading on the celebrations are supported by Goole Youth Action and partners and this year’s event in October promises to be bigger and better than ever.
“I have to take it one day at a time but now I have youth workers I can turn to when I’m struggling to cope.”
It is clear that Alex sees himself as an ambassador for youth work and providing young LGBQT+ people with safe spaces to explore their identity struggles and learn mechanisms for managing challenges that life presents to all young people.
“I’m not bothered about leaving a legacy but would like to see more young people have access to the support and guidance they need, when they need it, as I don’t want them to end up in the places I did.”
