Meet Alex

What is your role at TIM?

I am a Youth Trainer, which means that as a young person with previous lived experience of exclusion and gang involvement I am able to have an input into the needs of excluded and at risk young people today.

Why is helping excluded young people important for you?

Wherever you have started in life, if you get to a certain point where you have a chance to give something back or to help others, you should take that opportunity. I have been in a gang in my teenage years, then ended up in prison in my early twenties, and now I am able to look back and see all the mistakes that I have made. The chance to help prevent young people from going down a similar path as I did in my early and teenage years is the main reason why this job is so important. Not just for me but for the future of our youth.

How did you get involved in TIM?

I was already working for MAC-UK in the project MINI MAC. When that ended, I was approached by Sinem (TIM’s Director of Youth Participation), who told me and other young people, that are today Youth Trainers, about TIM. At that time, TIM didn’t even have a name yet, but there was definitely a clear vision and a clear message. When I heard they were trying to change the practice of frontline workers and see young people for who they are and not as number, I couldn’t wait to get involved.

How do you see yourself in 5 years?

I think everyone sets good goals and targets for themselves, mentally, financially, physically. For me, I have always wanted to be in a position where I am able to provide for myself and others. As long as I can sustain that and I am involved in an organisation like TIM or doing positive work in the community, then I consider myself successful.