The Art of Helping Others: Being Around, Being There, Being Wise

This work describes ways of approaching helping and counseling that are rooted in care and commitment, drawing on the experience and wisdom of youth workers, housing support and hostel workers, educators, and settlement and community workers. It explores the key characteristics of those who counsel and teach, and examines aspects of the helping process, focusing on living well, knowing and being oneself, relating to others, and working to make change possible. The readership for the book includes students in youth work, community education, ministry, and counseling. Heather Smith is a lead tutor in a London further education college. Mark Smith is research fellow and tutor at YMCA George Williams College. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Heather Smith has worked in youth projects, a special school, a residential centre working with families where a child has a very serious or terminal illness, and in a housing scheme for younger people. Currently she is a lead tutor in a London further education college. She works both with students experiencing difficulties with studying and participation in college activities, and the staff who teach and support them. Mark Smith has worked as a careers officer, youth and community worker and project worker. He is now the Rank Research Fellow and Tutor at the YMCA George Williams College. Amongst his publications are Developing Youth Work, Local Education and Informal Education.