Sammy’s Week – Work Experience

For many students in years 10 and 12 the last few weeks of the summer term are a time when they seek out work experience opportunities. The illuminate team are always happy to welcome young people to join us during this time, to find out more about our work and to learn a bit more about what happens ‘behind the scenes’. One of these young people, Sammy, joined Isak for a week in June 2025 and here is her report of how she got on….

What were some of your hightlights?

I enjoyed going into Archway school and meeting new people. Also, having my own responsibilities, unlike school where I have to do the same daily routine, the more free will I have had, it’s made me more happy.

You usually go to Rednock school, tell us about visiting Archway

Even though sometimes it was chaotic, it was good to be in a different atmosphere than my normal day-to-day at school. It was easy to connect with the young people we met, which I found really reassuring and it was good to see how many places illuminate is connecting with and making an impact with.

Why do you think it’s good that illuminate is in a school?

I think it means they can help a lot of people. They can also get the ball rolling to help young people explore the IDEA of faith and what it’s all about and answer questions or share about the Bible if that’s what people want to know.

illuminate runs some after school sessions in local churches, how do you see the sessions helping young people

By having sessions like Tin Church (Stroud) and Fusion (Dursley) it gives young people somewhere to go and feel seen even if only for 2 hours, it gives youth a place to talk to others their age, connect and eat– in my opinion it’s great and supportive.

What have you learned about working with and supporting young people?

I’ve learned that not all of it is smooth sailing, it’s a bumpy ride but Isak has showed me how every young person deserves to be heard, how you never know what’s actually going on in a young persons life and how even if your only with them for less than a couple hours but seeing them regularly it can make a big impact in someone’s life, how supporting young people can bring a positive result.

What would you say to a friend about what illuminate is?

I’d say come! It’s a joyful and cheerful place,  there are people to talk to, ask questions to, somewhere you never feel judged and somewhere you can find comfort in.