When Kristian, Eleni and Zoe first walked through the doors of Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation (CYTO), they had no idea how important it would become in their lives.
They arrived for different reasons. Kristian heard about CYTO through school and decided to give it a try during the summer holidays. Eleni first attended through a holiday programme after her mum heard about it locally. Zoe was encouraged by friends who were already members.
What they shared was the same feeling before attending for the first time: nerves.
Today, those first steps have led to opportunities they never expected.
For Kristian, CYTO has helped him build the confidence to pursue his ambition of becoming an actor. Like many young people considering a career in the creative industries, he questioned whether following his passion was the right choice. Conversations about employment prospects and future opportunities left him wondering whether acting was realistic.
Through CYTO, and conversations with youth worker and Artistic Director Andrew, he found the support to explore those ambitions rather than dismiss them.
“Speaking to Andrew about my goals has given me the confidence to pursue theatre and acting.”
For Eleni and Zoe, youth work has opened doors to leadership opportunities they never imagined when they first joined. Both now serve as Co-Chairs of CYTO’s Youth Board, helping ensure young people’s voices help shape the organisation’s future.
Alongside leadership opportunities, they have developed skills in performance, production, teamwork and communication while building confidence in themselves and their abilities.
Looking back, Eleni sees attending that first session as a turning point.
“My life would be so different if I’d never come here.”
For Zoe, what began as a nervous first visit became a place where she found friendships, opportunities and a community where she felt she belonged.
“Sometimes you just have to go for it. You never know what opportunities you’re going to get out of it.”
When Kristian, Eleni and Zoe first arrived at CYTO, they all describe feeling nervous about attending. Today, they are performing in productions, leading through the Youth Board and speaking confidently about their futures.
The impact extends beyond the stage. Through youth work, they have developed a stronger understanding of who they are and what matters to them. Eleni, for example, discovered a growing passion for history and is considering where that interest might take her in the future. For Kristian, CYTO has reinforced his ambition to pursue acting. For Zoe, it has opened up opportunities in writing, leadership and creativity.
Their experiences reflect something youth workers see every day: when young people are given opportunities to explore their interests, take on responsibility and have their voices heard, confidence grows.
For Andrew, that is what youth work is all about.
“Providing opportunities for young people’s voices to be heard, valued, amplified, and doing everything you can to further their ideas.”
He believes youth work is about helping young people find the confidence and language to express themselves before stepping back and allowing them to take ownership of their journey.
“A lot of youth work is actually creating the channel through which young people can articulate and express themselves well, and then stepping to the side.”
That approach can be seen throughout the experiences of Kristian, Eleni and Zoe. Rather than being told who they should become, they have been supported to explore their interests, pursue their ambitions and shape their own futures.
During a visit to CYTO, Natasha Irons MP, Member of Parliament for Croydon East, was struck by the ambition and determination of the young people she met.
Too often, she said, conversations about young people focus on what they lack rather than what they can achieve.
“We hear that young people can’t be bothered. That’s nonsense. There are young people who are desperate for work. They’re desperate to have a shot at something. The challenge is not a lack of ambition – young people already have that in abundance. The challenge is ensuring they have access to the opportunities, experiences and support that allow that ambition to flourish,” said Natasha
“In a world often shaped by grades, exams and outcomes, youth work offers something different: the chance to try new things, discover new interests and learn from failure without fear of judgement. It provides a space where young people can experiment, build confidence and develop resilience, helping them better understand who they are and what they want from the future,” she added.
For Kristian, Eleni and Zoe, those opportunities have been transformative.
Their stories are a reminder that young people do not lack ambition, talent or potential. What they need are trusted adults, supportive communities and opportunities to explore what is possible.
Their experiences show the difference youth work can make.
Not by deciding young people’s futures for them, but by giving them the confidence, support and opportunities to shape those futures for themselves.
Because when young people are given the chance to be heard, try new things and realise their potential, that’s where futures begin.
