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Walking through Parsons Woods with Sam Massey: From School Leaver to Youth Work Champion | Walking Podcast

Join us for a beautiful autumn walk along the Cumbria Way from Caldbeck village through Parsons Woods with Sam Massey, co-founder of Woman Up UK and youth worker with over 20 years of transformative experience across Cumbria. What started as leaving school at 15 has led to a career creating inclusive spaces where young people can have the conversations they desperately need, even when schools are too afraid to tackle them.

In this episode, Sam shares her unconventional journey from school struggles to Virgin Atlantic flight attendant to discovering her calling in youth and community work. She opens up about the mentor who changed everything by sitting on a street with someone at rock bottom, sharing chips and unconditional support. We explore why youth workers occupy this unique non-authoritative space in young people's lives, how period workshops open doors to conversations about shame and power, and why Sam believes "you can't hate up close."

Sam also discusses her current work supporting families seeking asylum in isolated rural communities, tackling far-right rhetoric creeping into schools, and launching girls-only (and non-binary inclusive) youth groups across Carlisle through Woman Up UK.

Recorded on a day that started rainy but turned beautiful, you'll hear us navigating muddy riverside paths, nearly dropping phones, and maybe, just maybe, me slipping once or twice!

Perfect for:

• Teachers, youth workers, and anyone working with young people
• Parents navigating difficult conversations with their children
• Anyone interested in social justice and community development
• People who've ever felt like the education system failed them
• Those wanting to understand how to create truly inclusive spaces

Walk Location: Caldbeck to Parsons Woods, Cumbria Way, Cumbria

Music This episode features music by:

• A Band Called Persimmon: https://www.youtube.com/@bandcalledpersimmon

Links:

Sam Massey & Woman Up UK:

• Woman Up UK Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukwomanup
• Woman Up UK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukwomanup

This Podcast:

• Sukany4 Podcast: https://www.sukany4.com/

Episode Highlights:

• The mentor moment that changed everything: Linda and the chips [00:18:00]
• Why youth work is different from every authority figure [00:22:45]
• "You can't hate up close" - confronting far-right rhetoric [00:30:38]
• Period workshops as gateways to bigger conversations [00:51:17]
• Supporting families seeking asylum in isolated communities [00:42:12]

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