Community Voices is a new series of posts written by the organisations we support. We hope to provide a platform for local charities to share their expertise and offer their unique insight into the opportunities available to and challenges faced by Buckinghamshire residents.

This week, we hear from Hannah Asquith, Chief Executive at Youth Concern, who received funding through our Covid-19 Support Fund.

Youth Concern supports vulnerable 13-25 year olds in Aylesbury Vale. We offer support and assistance for young people facing a wide range of difficulties and challenges to help them develop the emotional resilience to make informed choices and be able to live safe, happy and fulfilling lives.

Young people are emerging as the forgotten generation during this pandemic. During the first lockdown, their support structures and routine disappeared overnight, and with them, their places of safety, hot meals and listening ears.

COVID has also made it more difficult for young people with emerging problems to receive support. Some young people have retreated, making it difficult for them to re-engage. Many are reporting increased levels of anxiety about going back into the world, with some preferring the hidden online world that may place them at risk.

In May and June, Youth Concern conducted a survey of 290 young people living in Aylesbury Vale that confirmed the need for Youth Concern’s services for the most difficult to reach young people:

• 66% told us they needed more support for problems relating to school, education and general anxiety
• 63% told us they turn to their parents or friends when looking for support (which suggests 27% do not feel comfortable turning to their parents or friends)
• Over 70% admitted they didn’t access pastoral care services

These figures indicate that the majority of young people require additional support, but do not necessarily feel comfortable seeking it from their families, friends or existing pastoral care services.

So how will a grant from the Rothschild Foundation help vulnerable young people develop emotional resilience and capacity? Youth Concern will employ two part time qualified counsellors for six months, after which we will review the project and on-going need. The new counsellors will work alongside our 5 volunteer counsellors, increasing the number of young people being supported at any one time to 23.

Our thanks to the Rothschild Foundation for funding this growth in service at Youth Concern, helping us remain a real lifeline for Aylesbury Vale’s disadvantaged young people.

Hannah Asquith, Chief Executive

Youth Concern

Community Voices is a new series of posts written by the organisations we support. We hope to provide a platform for local charities to share their expertise and offer their unique insight into the opportunities available to and challenges faced by Buckinghamshire residents.

If you are a current or past grantee and would like to be featured in the Community Voices series, please read our contribution guidance.