After the long, interminable periods of lockdowns and isolation it is an absolute joy to have people coming together again. While our programmes and activities have been running at full bore all summer it is just in recent weeks that those other, social events which are so much part of our operation, have returned.
We had a tremendously enjoyable fundraising golf day recently organised by our good friends Alexander & Co, the estate agents working across the area. It was a real pleasure to meet people interested in supporting our work and enjoying a cracking day on the golf course.
Earlier this week we had our first celebration event in 2 long years. Our NCS event in Milton Keynes marked the extraordinary achievement of the young people who took part in a reduced programme with all the additional hassles of covid testing but still enjoyed the programme, gained in confidence, made new friends and raised astonishing amounts of money for local charities. Next week we will be celebrating with young people from Aylesbury, Wycombe and Slough so are looking forward to seeing them all.
Action4Youth’s AGM is in late September and this year we mark the retirement of Duncan Oldrieve, our Treasurer and Graham Hill, Trustee. Duncan has been a stalwart for 4 years and Graham, though with us for a shorter time, has made his mark too. We thank them both for their service and commitment and wish them well for the future. We will welcome Louise Cruttendon to our Board and look forward to having all the skills and experience she brings.
The Junction @ The Library – Now open!
September 14th was a milestone for us as The Junction moved from its summer base at the former Youth Space building to its new, permanent home in Wycombe Library.
Our attendance is growing by the week and we are now seeing around 50 people when The Junction is open, daily from 4.00 – 7.00pm. Young people are enjoying healthy cooking sessions, boxing, kickboxing and much much more within our drop in centre. Our counselling service offers free support to young people. There is no referral process so anyone needing help can just come along and find the support they need.
We have carried out consultation work with the young people attending The Junction as well as wider groups, finding out at they want to do at The Junction, why the Junction is important to them and how they can be part of the development of the new 7 days per week centre.
Full details of sessions at The Junction can be found here: https://www.action4youth.org/the-junction/
NCS Graduation Ceremonies – Milton Keynes & High Wycombe
Over the last two weeks we held our NCS graduation ceremonies at The Ridgeway in Milton Keynes and Wycombe Swan in High Wycombe.
Hundreds of young people attended with their friends and families to celebrate their summer achievements. It was fantastic to see so many young people together, hear the cheers from the audiences and to celebrate each individual for completing the programme.
The Inspiration Programme
It is exciting to be back in schools again with the programme. The young people are eager to learn more and pleased to be back in the classroom learning.
It was good to meet the team at Lindengate and learn about their successes with Social and Therapeutic Horticulture, using the outdoors and nature to promote health and wellbeing. TIP is looking forward to taking some of young people to visit this year.
Alexander & Co Golf Day
Thank you to Alexander & Co for hosting a great golf event in aid of Action4Youth at Whittlebury Hall.
Over 60 golfers played that day and between the raffle and generosity of the players ,Alexander & Co helped raised over £10,000 for Action4Youth.
It was an extremely well organised event and we hope to partner again next year.
Caldecotte Xperience Adventure Days
Join our Caldecotte Xperience team for an action packed 5 day adventure or 1 day adventure course based at Caldecotte Xperience, Simpson, Milton Keynes and run by our team of highly qualified instructors. Full days of activities including sailing, caving, archery, high ropes, climbing, abseiling, kayaking, canoeing and much, much more.
Adventure Regulars G2 : 5 Day Course – 25th-29th October 2021
Adventure Regulars G1 : 5 Day Course – 25th-29th October 2021
Adventure Day – 26th October 2021
Adventure Day – 27th October 2021Adventure Day – 28th October 2021
Membership Update
It is great to hear so many members have been able to reopen their doors to young people again from being closed or on reduced provision for a long time. A couple of headlines below for members
TRAINING- For A4Y members only
If you have staff or volunteers requiring first aid training but not leading in your organisation then Basic Saving Lives is the suitable session (3 hours) This is running in High Wycombe on Thursday 14th October. https://www.action4youth.org/event/basic-saving-lives-thursday-14th-october-2021/
This is accredited and valid for 3 years so do check the expiry date of current qualifications.
Safeguarding
Suitable as an annual refresher or a first introduction into Safeguarding this online workshop provides an overview of how to recognise signs of potential abuse and action to take The session will be held on Zoom. Booking is now open. https://www.action4youth.org/event/safeguarding-essentials-thursday-7th-october-2021/
DBS checks
Please request checks via membership@action4youth.org providing all the details for the applicant as provided in the ‘Requesting DBS checks through Action4Youth v2 0621’
Polite reminder: When requesting a DBS check for staff/volunteers in your organisation it is your responsibility to ensure that the check is completed. We have produced a clear document for requesting checks and applicant information which can be found under DBS checks in the members area and has also been sent to you. We do not have the capacity to chase people and applications will be archived if not completed in one month.
Tesco Community Grants Scheme – In Store Vote
We are delighted that our application to the Tesco Community Grants Scheme has been successful. When shopping in Tesco stores please ask for a token to vote for Action4Youth.
Voting will commence from the 1st October and continue to 31st December 2021.
Participating stores:
HIGH WYCOMBE Superstore
HIGH WYCOMBE LOUDWTR Superstore
WOOBURN HI WYCMBE EXP Express
WYCOMBE NORTH EXPRESS Express
WYCOMBE SOUTH EXPRESS Express
HIGH WYCOMBE LNDN EXP Express
Hazlemere Express Express
BEACONSFIELD EXP
PLOMER GREEN AVE EXP
BOURNE END EXP
HIGH WYCOMBE NEW EXP
HIGH WYCOMBE CHAP EXP
STOKENCHURCH WYCOMBE ROAD EXP
HG WYCMB HTTRS LN EXP
LEIGHTON BUZZARD Superstore
LINSLADE BUZZRD EXP Express
LANGDALE EXP Express
APPENINE WY LBUZZ EXP Express
HIGH ST DUNSTABLE EXP Express
Please help us make this page more visible by sharing it through your own social networks.
