🎙️ In this episode of the What Really Matters podcast, we sit down with Ali Dale – youth worker, community practitioner, and leader within Bristol’s grassroots youth sector – to explore belonging, trust, and what it really means to show up consistently for young people.
Ali reflects on his own journey into youth work, the relationships and moments that shaped his values, and the realities of working with young people facing inequality, trauma, and limited opportunity. He speaks honestly about the importance of presence, patience, and long-term commitment in a system that often prioritises short-term outcomes over real human connection.
We explore:
- Ali’s route into youth and community work
- The role of trust, consistency, and relationships in supporting young people
- What young people really need from adults and services
- The challenges of delivering meaningful youth work in underfunded systems
- Why lived experience, empathy, and authenticity matter
- The importance of community-led spaces and listening to youth voice
- What needs to change to better support young people and the youth work workforce
🎧 A grounded and reflective conversation about youth work, relationships, and why showing up – again and again – is what really makes the difference.
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Contact Ben Carpenter at info@grassrootcommunities.org
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Learning from the past and present to help inform a brighter future — What Really Matters ❤️