Meet the Team - Ben Hyde

Ben started at The Island in 2022 after spending a year-long placement at the charity in 2018. Continue reading to find out more about Ben and the important role he plays The Island.
Describe what you do within your role?
I work as The Island’s Research Officer, where my primary responsibility is to collect and analyse data that evaluate the charity’s services. Data collection has brought numerous positive benefits to The Island. It is used to support our grant applications and also for marketing purposes. However, most importantly, it allows us to understand how well our services work for our mentored young people.
Why did you want to pursue a career in the charity youth sector?
I have always been passionate about helping people, and through my own life experiences, I have also come to see the incredible importance of early intervention services. Before my role with The Island, I worked with a research agency in York, where I often interviewed young adults in their 20s who had grown up in troubled upbringings. I saw how many were now struggling with substance misuse. Early intervention for struggling young people can go a long way in preventing these outcomes once they transition into adulthood.
What inspired you to want to work with The Island?
Working with The Island has allowed me to contribute positively to my local community by helping York’s struggling young people. As a young person, I had a good upbringing which allowed me to succeed in going to University and finding skilled employment. However, I also recognise that not all young people have the privilege of stability during these years. I want to help York’s struggling young people in any way I can so they also can go on to lead happy and fulfilling lives into adulthood and beyond.
Can you share with us your proudest achievement at The Island so far?
A project I completed that examined how previously mentored young people had progressed years after ending their involvement with The Island. I spoke to over 50 young people and it was amazing hearing all the positive life steps they had made since their mentoring had finished. The data also went some way in assisting fundraising and marketing!
Finally, why are mentoring services important to children and young people?
I believe it is really important for young people to have a positive anchor and who is also constant presence in their life, such as a mentor. Why? Because it leads to positive reinforcement in the young person which has numerous long term benefits.
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