Harrison, 23, has been involved in youth work for the past ten years, as a young person at a youth club and then progressing to become a youth work volunteer.
At six years old Harrison was diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia and autism and didn’t feel like he fitted in at school. At thirteen a chance encounter at college with Senior Youth Work Manager, Jackie Coupar from Gifted Young Generation youth club (GYG) at The Grand in Gravesend, lead him on a path he never expected.
GYG focuses on performing arts and around two hundred young people are regular members. The centre, in an old methodist church in Gravesend, provides somewhere safe to go and fun arts activities with youth work support integrated into the sessions.
Embracing differences
Jackie invited Harrison down to the youth club to participate in their performing arts activities. She went on to become his vocal coach and mentor at GYG and he started to believe in himself.
“Jackie never looked at me like I had ADHD or autism. She explained that once my neurodivergences were harnessed they’d become my superpowers.”
Harrison performing on Britain’s Got Talent
She was right. After his parents secretly sent his vocal audition to ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, Harrison went on to become a celebrated semi-finalist in the show in May 2024.
Finding his voice
Growing up Harrison felt insecure about his sexuality and lacked confidence in singing and performing.
”I really struggled with my sexuality prior to meeting Jackie and being part of the youth work system, but she supported me to make my own box, not the one that society makes you believe you have to be in. The Grand was the birthplace of many things for me - Jackie told me that they were here to back me, and they did.”
Harrison Pettman
From spectator to star
In the Britain’s Got Talent live auditions Harrison and his family were in the audience. He surprised them with the fact he’d got through when he took to the stage to perform.
“Singing in front of 20 million people was amazing! At the first audition Simon said he was on the fence about me. And he was right – everyone’s a novice in that moment and you have to learn on your feet.”
Harrison says that GYG has provided him with a trusted ‘family’ environment which has helped him get through every tough moment. He said, “I’ve still got friends that I made at GYG ten years ago.”
“Now as a youth work volunteer I’ve met young people at 12 years old who have nearly lost their entire world. I know young people who were selling drugs and now their lives have completely changed because of the youth club. No young person should ever feel neglected and if you grow up with past trauma and not having a responsible person to help you, it’s going to suffocate you. Youth work directs and supports you. And if I can help put a smile on their face – that’s why I love it.”
Empowering the next generation
Harrison’s dream is to become a successful singer and performer, creating the same circle of opportunity provided to him through mentorship “For the rest of my life I will always support youth work.”
“It builds you into being a good person – every young person who has come to our centre has gone on to meet their potential. And every time I see Jackie and the team it’s like I just get ‘me’ back. They recharge my batteries.”
As one of NYA’s Art of Youth Work campaign champions, Harrison is encouraging young people everywhere to get creative and express the difference youth work has made to their lives, this Youth Work Week.
