This paper seeks to highlight the resilience‐enhancing potential for vulnerable young people of roles and relationships in the domains of recreation and work. The paper explores its theme through a specific focus on the needs of young people in long‐term care. The paper has four sections: the first deals with some key conceptual propositions relevant to understanding resilience‐related processes; the second with the resilience‐enhancing potential of recreational activities; the third with the resilience‐enhancing potential of work roles; and the fourth with the implications for practices by carers and professionals in relation to helping young people in care to derive benefits from the positives that recreation and work experiences may have to offer. The paper reviews relevant research evidence from a range of perspectives and through related case examples.
