Every Friday, I have the privilege of spending time at Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy, where over the past year I’ve listened to more than 50 young people. Each one has their own story, and it’s an honour to offer a space where they can be heard without judgement.
Listening here is more than simply taking in words. It is a small, steady refuge carved into a busy school day: 30 minutes where a young person can step away from the noise and speak freely. No verdicts. No pressure. Just room for their thoughts to uncurl and take shape.
This term, many students have shared openly about what has been sitting on their minds, and a few themes have surfaced again and again. Friendship worries and shifting peer relationships have been at the heart of many conversations, alongside the strain some families are feeling at home. Others have spoken about stress, being overwhlemed or low moods, and some have needed support with routines or behaviour when school feels heavy. Among older pupils, the conversations often drift toward relationships, growing independence and the trickier choices that trail behind adolescence. Along the way, quiet activities like chess, music and creative projects help students settle their thoughts and find their footing before they speak. These sessions reveal just how much young people are carrying, and they underline why a safe, supportive space matters so deeply.
We currently deliver weekly Listening Sessions in Paulet High School and Anglesey Primary School. Other schools have requested the service and are on our waiting list. Our aim is to provide a free and easily-accessible Listening Service for the young people of Burton and so we are constantly seeking funding to make this happen.
It means a lot to know that students I’ve supported speak positively about the service, so much so that others often know me before we’ve even met. Staff across the school recognise the value of this work, referring students thoughtfully and sometimes calling on me when a young person is struggling.
I’ve met young people from all kinds of backgrounds, and some of the school’s more complex or misunderstood students have completely captured my heart. Often, they simply need a reliable person who listens and stays present, and being able to offer that is something I care about profoundly.
It has also been wonderful to hear directly from families. A couple of parents have expressed their thanks, and one grandmother greeted me with, “Ahh, you’re Nathan – my granddaughter speaks very highly of you!” Moments like that quietly remind me how far patient listening can reach.
It has been a joy to bring this service into Blessed Robert Sutton, where it shows their commitment to creating an environment where listening and support genuinely matter.
Nathan O’Neill
Children and Youth Outreach Worker