That man Maslow again...

A day of extremes in terms of my work with and for young people. It started with a great meeting with partners from local authorities across Scotland, sharing the work they are doing - both strategically and operationally - at the front line to support young people. There is a fantastic new facility in Perth, where the majority of youth services have come together under one roof to provide an inclusive and accessible one-stop-shop for ALL young people - no stigma, just support, whatever their needs. There are so many committed and talented folks working in local authorities who are remaining motivated and upbeat despite the tough climate they work in sometimes.

Then to Glasgow to hear a fantastic lecture from David Gustave of the London-based Kids Company, talking about the code of the street for vulnerable young people, and their morality in the face of simply having to survive due to the abuse and neglect they have suffered at the hands of adults. Incredibly powerful stuff, with moving personal testimony from David himself, who has moved from a very dark, chaotic childhood, through violence and gangs, to become a powerful academic, with various Oxford degrees: a happening he put down to simple "luck and the random kindness of strangers" that someone spotted he was smart and gave him a chance.

The theory of his lecture is that gangs can be equated to nations, and that the attachments that young people have to gangs is like a form of nationalism - then linking into identity and pereceived threat from other "nations" etc. Fascinating stuff. I could go on...but suffice to say that one of the key things which came up - yet again - is the antipathy of adults towards young people, and that the over-professionalisation of services means we cannot give young people in need what they require the most - a hug and some nurturing, loving care. The whole Kids Company model of care is based entirely on ensuring that the young people they support have each element of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs met as a baseline.

A brilliant lecture, but it was preaching to a room full of the converted (or "like-minded brothers and sisters" as David called us!). It has left me sad though, that this is the world we live in, where so many young people face such struggles and pain. Hurts my heart. But also reminds me why I do what I do, and why it's important.

[Another Glasgow architecture blip - but this time thought I'd show the contrast that exists alongside the merchant-built grandeur!]