Riyad.
Riyad has been part of Youth Unity since the very start. Now a qualified English teacher working in Saudi Arabia, he jumps straight back into youth work whenever he’s home in the UK, bringing his teaching expertise with him.
He sees past the behaviour, and sees the young person.
Part of Youth Unity from the start
Riyad has been with Youth Unity since the very beginning, growing up alongside the organisation. From those early days he has had a real passion for youth work and for making genuine, lasting change in young people’s lives.
From the classroom abroad to youth work at home
Riyad is now a qualified English teacher living and working in Saudi Arabia. Teaching brings generous time off, and whenever he is back home in the UK he jumps straight back into his youth worker role.
He brings his teaching expertise into the mix, combining the structure and skills of the classroom with the trust and informality of youth work.
Seeing past the behaviour
Riyad understands that behaviour is often a young person’s way of communicating something they can’t yet put into words. Rather than writing anyone off, he looks beyond it to the person underneath, building relationships based on patience, respect and belief in what they can achieve.
Literature through philosophy
One of the things that makes Riyad’s sessions stand out is the way he introduces young people to elements of literature through philosophy. Using stories, poems and big questions about life, fairness and identity, he gets young people thinking, debating and sharing their views.
It is a way in that helps them build critical thinking, confidence and their own voice, often without even realising they are learning.
