%20(2).png)
This is the first in our series of guest blogs from people involved with The Matthew Project. This week we're hearing from Mackenzie - a young person who has taken up a work experience placement with us. Over to you, Mackenzie...
Since September I have been doing work experience with the Matthew Project one day a week. I have mainly worked with the Unity and You Can services but I have had the opportunity to work with other teams. Placement at The Matthew Project is an amazing opportunity for anyone regardless of what you are hoping to do in the future. Before I started, I did not know what I would be doing whatsoever, however I feel that The Matthew Project has been one of the most enjoyable work experience placements I have taken to date.
The Matthew Project has enabled me to develop new skills outside of my comfort zone, for instance writing this blog, but I have also realised talents and skills that I didn’t even know I had in the first place. Part of my work experience here has involved me producing information cards about different substances for young people using digital design software. This is something that I was intimidated by at first as I did not want to say the wrong thing or make the cards too confusing or too simplistic, however with support and guidance I was able to produce a set of cards that are now used by the Unity and You Can teams to help empower young people to understand different substances.
Recently I have been working on some informative stickers about substances, these stickers are a work in progress but could be used to promote harm reduction advice to young people who are less likely to access The Matthew Project. As a young person I feel that my perspective has been greatly appreciated in the office, and I have used my insights and personal experience as a young person to make the service more accessible for young people. For instance, I used TikTok to find different street names for drugs and the emojis that are used to describe them to include on both the drug info cards and the stickers.
Placement with The Matthew Project has also increased my knowledge and understanding of drug and alcohol use, I have had numerous conversations with different members of staff who have taught me about drug and alcohol use, the impact it can have on individuals' lives, and the reasons why individuals may use drugs and alcohol. This has enabled me to use this deeper context and knowledge with the course I am currently studying, and I feel has given me more empathy towards different types of people.
The work environment is the most friendly, positive and welcoming one I have ever experienced. From day one I felt completely comfortable in the office and I feel completely valued and a part of the team. All the staff are super friendly, will always offer support if you reach out, and most importantly will always offer cups of tea to everyone.
If you are reading this and you are considering doing work experience here, I have some advice for you – go for it! No matter what career or education you are pursuing in the future, a placement at The Matthew Project will equip you with new skills, confidence and knowledge that can help you obtain your goals or realise them.
