Lex’s story: The Truth About Youth
Lex is studying childcare with Nacro Education. Last year she completed Level 1 in childcare, maths and English, and is now working towards Level 2. Lex was bullied at school and felt that she didn’t fit in, and she would often behave badly to try and fit in. She was excluded on a couple of occasions and failed both her maths and English GCSEs.
She has young brothers and sisters and often cared for them as they were growing up. She has a really caring nature, and her experience of caring for her siblings means that she now would like to be a nursery teacher or a carer.
Previously, Lex has done work experience in an elderly care home, and really enjoyed this opportunity. She says that the work is all about keeping people safe and bringing people joy. Lex knows that job satisfaction is all about knowing that you’ve done something good in your life, and this is much more important than how much money you earn.
I worry about the future and whether I'll be able to get a job and create a life for myself. It's becoming harder and harder for young people to work, especially if you don’t have qualifications. Young people need to be given a boost so that they can afford a home, as without this the door is locked for most young people and they stand no chance of climbing the ladder and creating decent lives for themselves and their families.
Lex doesn’t go out on her own after dark as she does not feel safe. She thinks that the police and politicians need to make the streets safer for everyone, particularly young women, and that people must understand the importance of respecting others around them.
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