Aspiring Champions From Isolation to Inspiration: A Small Step, A Huge Shift

Yesterday reminded me why I do this work.

I spent the day supporting one of my aspiring champions—a young man recently released from prison, grappling with social anxiety and a lack of motivation. Since leaving custody, he’s been largely isolated in his hostel, rarely leaving his room, and struggling to find direction. But yesterday, something shifted.

I’d arranged to accompany him to his probation meeting. That alone was a win—it meant getting him out of the hostel, breaking his routine of isolation. But as any youth worker knows, every journey is a chance for connection. I used the travel time not just to talk, but to gently plant seeds—seeds of curiosity, hope, and opportunity.

I mentioned Grassroots, a local youth space running during the day, and Sound Progression, a project he might find interesting since he’s keen on rapping. No pressure. Just an invitation to consider something different.

And he said yes.

When we arrived at Grassroots, the staff greeted him with warmth, gave him a full tour, and took the time to introduce him to everyone. That simple act—welcoming, seeing him, treating him with respect—was powerful. It aligns so deeply with what we know in youth work: that informal, relational spaces are where transformation begins. This is what the theory tells us too—young people thrive when they feel safe, seen, and part of something.

Later, after some time to take it all in, he came back to me and said, “I now feel at home. I’m going to bring my mate here too.”

From isolation to connection. From reluctance to future-planning. That’s not a small step—it’s a huge leap.

In youth work, we talk about “starting where the young person is.” We centre their voice, their pace, their interests. We don’t rush. We don’t fix. We walk beside. This is relationship-based practice in action—using trust and consistency to create the conditions for growth.

He didn’t need a lecture or a program. He needed a person. Someone to believe in him when he couldn’t quite believe in himself. Someone to help him imagine that maybe life could be different—and then to walk with him through the door.

What struck me most was how quickly things changed once he felt welcomed and empowered. The sense of belonging, purpose, and connection he experienced in just one visit had an immediate impact. It reminded me of the positive youth development approach, which tells us that when young people feel competent, connected, and in control, they’re far more likely to thrive—and far less likely to return to negative cycles like crime or disengagement.

All they need is a little trust. A little support. A space to be seen.

This is the heart of youth work.