Tony Gallagher

I cut my professional youth work teeth in my early 20s at a youth club in Bedford. Our centre was open access, five nights a week, and the place was always buzzing. I remember well the strong relationships I formed. Many of these young people were facing rural deprivation, solvent abuse and unemployment, but I knew that youth work could help them to build positive habits which would improve their life chances. These young people instilled in me the belief that youth work can change young lives.