creating places and spaces for young people through youth work

During the coding process, initially one final code – ‘cool atmosphere’ – was placed on its own, as it seemed to communicate something quite distinct. However, analysis of this final code and an exploration of its initial codes suggested links to the relationships that youth workers create within young people’s spaces and places. So the code was concerned with buildings and places, but it was also concerned with the relational spaces contained within them. For example, the final code ‘cool atmosphere’ is not only informed by the initial code ‘relaxed, warm and safe place to meet others’ but also by ‘to be accepted as oneself’. In the latter code the role of the youth worker is essential in making the young people feel accepted and in ensuring that young people accept each other. Links were then made to other final codes which communicate the role of the youth worker in this process, such as English final code ‘mutuality’, which is based in part on the initial code ‘being included’. The Estonian code ‘development of relationships with adults’ also refers to ‘youth worker support’. Although the French code ‘experiencing positive emotions’ was not placed in this category, it includes the initial code ‘positive memories and experiences’, and the stories refer specifically to ‘good memories at the youth centre’ so it may well have been placed here.