Nothing too much for youth worker Karen

Photo: Anthony Miller

YOUTH worker Karen Wrigley.

“A FANTASTIC youth worker — nothing is too much for her.”

These are the words used to describe youth engagement officer Karen Wrigley, nominated for a Pride in Oldham Award.

The mother-of-four works at Fitton Hill Youth Inclusion Project, part of the organisation Positive Steps Oldham, which helps to steer young people away form crime and anti-social behaviour.

She works with young people who are referred to her on a one-to-one basis and also organises a range of summer activities.

“I love it,” said Karen, who lives in Glodwick: “Watching the young people go from one stage in their life to another, supporting the parents if they need it and working with a fabulous team of staff.

“We work with young people aged from eight to 17 who are at risk of offending or anti-social behaviour, who might just need a little bit of guidance to get them back on track.

“They are just children. Sometimes they make bad decisions and they make mistakes, but everyone does. Hopefully we show them there is more to life.

“When I was a child my dad was really strict so I used to do to do things I knew would wind him up and I used to get myself into trouble. In those days it was only the local policeman and your parents who dealt with it. There is a lot more help offered nowadays.”

Karen did a range of jobs, including working at Park Cake and managing the Bath Hotel in Oldham, before becoming becoming a youth worker with Oldham Council and then moving to her present job 11 years ago.

Nominated by a young person she has worked with, Karen added modestly: “I am a bit shocked really because I am just doing my job.”