From first point of contact to NYA Academy Tutor: Sherryl’s journey supporting young people in sexual health settings.
I’ve wanted to be a youth worker since I was 14 and was active in youth forums and youth voice. At 16, I started my first role at a youth centre in the West Midlands. From there, I went on to earn a BA (Hons) in Youth Work at Plymouth Marjon University while running a youth centre alongside my studies.
I never set out to work in sexual health, but I discovered an area where youth work methodology could make a real difference. I saw firsthand how it could complement clinical expertise, bridging the gap by advising professionals on how to connect with young people to improve the effectiveness of their interventions – this truly highlighted the value of youth work for me across different settings.
Sherryl Carey,
NYA Academy Tutor
After qualifying with my JNC, I moved to Gloucestershire and began specialising in sexual health. As Sexual Health Co-ordinator for Gloucestershire County Council Youth Service, I supported youth workers in delivering sexual health programmes and engaged directly with young people. I then completed an MA in Sexual Health, deepening my knowledge of clinical practice, the law and health services. My role eventually expanded to cover all sexual health provision for young people, including schools, GPs, social care and youth centres, providing training and support to healthcare professionals.
Bridging the gap between young people and health services
Within this role, I was commissioned to help health services become ‘young person friendly,’ advising them on how to engage with young people through mystery shop exercises, tailored training and practical recommendations.
Early on, I questioned what I could offer and even completed clinical training as a Sexual Health Advisor to ratify my own knowledge. But during a session where I had taken a group of young people to a GP surgery, I realised my unique contribution – the ability to build relationships with young people and engage them in ways that other professionals often cannot, as their relationships are usually formal, short-term and outcome-specific. Youth workers, by contrast, engage young people in familiar settings and understand their social and emotional context, supporting them on their own terms.
I supported pharmacists’ training by using the youth centre in rural areas, with young people acting as mock patients for sessions on prescribing emergency contraception. While the pharmacists understood the clinical aspects, they didn’t always know how to relate to young people. I supported them in finding effective ways to engage – helping them identify and overcome barriers in communication. Young people themselves were directly involved in the training and assessment process, ensuring the approach was relevant and grounded in lived experience. By bringing youth work expertise into rural health settings, it enabled professionals to deliver meaningful, youth-centred support – even in areas where resources are limited.
Supporting young people through sensitive issues
I was often the first point of contact when a young person needed sexual health advice or signposting. In one case, a colleague asked me to speak to a young person about emergency contraception and how and when it could be accessed.
It was important to be non-judgemental with open communication and actively listen to the young person’s story – skills I developed through my years as a youth worker. The young person had recently engaged in several intimate experiences, indicating there could be underlying factors influencing their choices and raising potential health or safety concerns. Using my sexual health expertise, I recognised they needed additional support and connected them with specialist services, offering safeguarding and help for those at risk of exploitation.
Once the young person was referred, I realised this intervention might never have happened without youth workers – who act as a crucial link between young people and specialist health services.
Helping health service professionals better support young people
Health services can feel overwhelming, especially for young people discussing sexual health. Many struggle to start consultations and may appear nervous or display challenging behaviour, which can be misunderstood by professionals. I trained and supported healthcare staff to understand these behaviours and put processes in place – such as initial triaging or tailored sessions – and supported young people to articulate their concerns and access the right care.
As a youth worker, I put young people at the centre of care. This created positive experiences, enabling young people to understand the information provided to them and make informed decisions about their health.
Youth work training and qualifications
Despite my BA Hons and MA qualifications, the things I learnt at the beginning when undertaking part time youth worker training have been foundational in my role – such as the Level 2 and 3 youth work courses offered by the NYA Academy. These courses include units on engaging and communicating with young people and understanding young person’s development, combining theory and practice. Helping me to understand the essential skills of a successful youth worker – communication, engagement and adolescent development.
Working with other professionals can feel overwhelming, but youth workers have a clear role: engage with young people, build relationships and empower them. You don’t need to be an expert in contraception – that’s for other specialists. Your expertise is connecting with young people.
Training strengthens your skills by bringing theory to what you already do. Understanding the ‘why’ behind your practice is empowering and helps you develop your identity as a youth worker, articulating the unique value of voluntary youth work. A formal qualification gives confidence – knowing you are adding value and fulfilling a critical role of your own.
