The voices of grassroots youth workers are rarely heard in policy, research or public debate. This book paints a picture of passionate practitioners who build meaningful relationships with marginalised young people, at a time when their practice is threatened by spending cuts, target cultures and market imperatives. Written by an experienced youth worker, this engaging book uses interviews, dialogue and research diary excerpts to bring youth work practice and theory to life. Offering perspectives not found elsewhere in the literature, it will interest researchers and practitioners in youth and community work, education, social work, and health and social care. Its rich, empirical research will resonate internationally. "written with an engaging freshness, honesty and vigour...Tania de St Croix has written the best book on youth work since Mark K. Smith’s seminal Creators not Consumers, published in 1980." Youth & Policy "Essential reading for youth workers and other creative and critical thinkers who are looking for the cracks where life can still break up and break through the grids of control." Janet Batsleer, Manchester Metropolitan University "A motivational and inspiring insight into the experiences of part-time and volunteer youth workers, providing an opportunity to hear their voices within policy and practice" Emma Chivers, University of South Wales Dr. Tania de St Croix has been a youth worker for over twenty years, and is a Lecturer in the Sociology of Youth and Childhood at King's College London. She is active in Voice of Youth, a youth workers' co-operative, and In Defence of Youth Work, a campaign for critical, democratic and emancipatory youth work practice. Tania has written several widely-read articles and book chapters on youth work practice and policy.