Isn’t Naveed exactly the type of worker that this community needs? From being a regular attender on the Adventure playground from the age of 7, he became a volunteer on the Adventure at 16 (when he could no longer go on as a youth….) Shortly afterwards, thanks to Steve Edwards’ encouragement, Naveed got on Activity Sheffield’s casual list and so got paid work on the playground. And then in 2007, he was successful in getting the apprentice play work job based on the Adventure. And now he’s got a permanent contract.
On a project that’s vital for building relationships with some of our ‘sharpest’ young people, it’s people like Naveed that are so essential for the future of Burngreave. The role of an adult – who is not family, and is not a teacher, or is not in authority – in the lives of some teenagers is the difference between getting there, or getting nowhere. The Adventure plays exactly that role for some of our young people – and it’s the place where these types of relationships are first developed.
Naveed knows this – because he’s been there. Long may he continue to give back to this community not only a committed play worker, but the additional value of someone who knows the users of the playground only too well!