Building Bridges: Reflections on the Mitte Berlin Exchange

Written by Gareth Dixon, CEO of Young Hammersmith & Fulham Foundation

Last week, the Young Hammersmith & Fulham Foundation (YHFF) hosted ten youth work professionals from Berlin-Mitte for an enriching exchange. The group visited various spaces across Hammersmith & Fulham, including WEST Youth Zone, Mosaic Trust, Masbro Youth Club, Action on Disability, and QPR in the Community Trust. We were joined by representatives from H&F Council as well as John Lyon’s Charity. Each visit fostered dynamic discussions and fresh insights on youth engagement.

Perhaps the most fascinating revelations came from understanding the fundamental differences in how youth work is structured and professionalised in our two countries. While the UK has historically developed youth work as a distinct profession, in Germany, it is deeply integrated into the broader field of social pedagogy and social work. The Berlin team, predominantly holding advanced degrees in social work or social pedagogy, highlighted how this academic foundation shapes their approach to youth engagement.

The differences in professional training are striking. In Germany, youth workers typically complete comprehensive university degrees that combine theoretical understanding with practical applications, reflecting the nation's emphasis on formal qualifications in social services. This academic grounding gives German youth workers a broad theoretical framework informing their practice while ensuring solid connections between youth services and other social support systems.

Another significant contrast emerged in funding structures. Unlike our mixed-economy model in the UK, Berlin operates with significant statutory funding for youth services, backed by constitutional guarantees. This structural difference shapes everything from programme planning to staff development and professional recognition.

The Berlin team's 'youth centre' concept also provided valuable insights, where young people can access various services in one location - an innovative approach to breaking down barriers to engagement that could inspire similar initiatives like Family Hubs here. These centres often integrate social work services with youth work, reflecting the German holistic approach to supporting young people.

Their emphasis on youth work offered fresh perspectives on how we might enhance our youth voice initiatives, particularly given their theoretical solid grounding in social pedagogy principles.

Shared Challenges, Different Solutions

Despite operating in different contexts, we found remarkable similarities in the challenges our communities face:

• Digital Engagement: Both regions are grappling with balancing online and face-to-face youth work post-pandemic and as we move forward into a more digital world.
• Space and Place: The pressure on youth spaces in urban environments affects both Berlin-Mitte and Hammersmith & Fulham.
• Young People's Mental Health: A growing concern in both communities, though with different support structures in place.
• Resource Distribution: Whilst funding models differ, both regions face challenges in ensuring equitable access to services.
• Youth Voice: Both communities are working to embed young people's voices in decision-making processes meaningfully.

Building on Common Ground

• What became clear throughout the week was how much we could learn from each other's approaches:
• Berlin's statutory youth participation structures offered valuable insights for our developing youth council
• Our participatory grant-making model sparked interesting discussions about involving young people in funding decisions
• Shared experiences in supporting LGBT+ young people highlighted the importance of specialist provision
• Both regions' approaches to detached youth work provided opportunities for methodology exchange
• The integration of social pedagogy principles into youth work practice offered new perspectives for professional development

Looking Ahead

This exchange marks the beginning of what we hope will be a lasting partnership between our communities. Moving forward, we are:

• Developing a Youth Exchange Programme: We are exploring opportunities for young people from both regions to participate in reciprocal visits
• Creating a Digital Platform: Establishing a regular online space for ongoing collaboration between youth workers in both regions
• Sharing Resources: Developing ways to share resources to exchange successful methodologies and approaches and learn when things don’t work
• Professional Development: Planning staff exchanges to deepen understanding of different working practises, including opportunities for UK practitioners to learn from Germany's social pedagogy approach.

As we reflect on this enriching week, we're reminded that youth work, at its core, is about creating opportunities and supporting young people to thrive - regardless of geography. The exchange has not only broadened our perspectives but also reinforced our commitment to innovative, inclusive youth work.

The contrast between our approaches, particularly in professional training and service integration, has highlighted opportunities for growth and development on both sides. While we can learn from Germany's comprehensive academic approach and integrated service model, our expertise in community-based youth work and participatory practices offers valuable insight for our Berlin colleagues.

We look forward to continuing this journey of collaboration with our Berlin colleagues, knowing that our shared learning will ultimately benefit the young people we serve in both communities.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our partners who helped make this exchange possible, including Masbro Youth Club, WEST Youth Zone, Ark, Action on Disability, MOSAIC LGBT+ Youth Club, QPR in the Community Trust, John Lyon’s Charity and the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.