Aylesbury Youth Concern launch 'next step' project

The charity has been working on a huge new project to help nine 18-25 year olds.
Young tradespeople at work on the propertyYoung tradespeople at work on the property
Young tradespeople at work on the property

Volunteers at the charity have been helping to fix up a supported accommodation project in the Heart of Aylesbury which can house up to nine people.

The accommodation will be accessible to young people who have become homeless or are in need of housing for a variety of reasons.

The renovation work has been done by volunteer-it-yourself who allow young people to learn a trade 'on the job'.

You can read more about their work here.The accommodation is set to open in Autumn, says Andrew Tippen, Head of Operations at Aylesbury Youth Concern.

"We are very excited for this project to open.

"Young people often find themselves homeless through no fault of their own, and we are here to help them when they fall on hard times.

"The supported accommodation will have staff onsite 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

"We will help the people who come to us to make the steps they need to take in order to live independently."

Aylesbury Youth Concern will help people in need to learn the skills they need to live independently.

Things like budgeting, shopping smartly, washing and keeping things clean too.

Andrew continued: "People who come to us get assigned a keyworker who helps residents to fill out gaps in their knowledge of the ability to live independently.

"They will meet with them every week and work on learning independent skills, things we take for granted but are absolutely vital.

"We teach how to be a good member of the community, and to live in both a peaceful and a respectful way.

"All these skills are vital if they are to get their own property eventually and keep a roof over their heads for the rest of their lives."

During the pandemic lockdown work at Aylesbury Youth Concern has been limited, but things are slowly returning to normal.

Before lockdown began 40 to 50 people were attending the drop in centre at the charity base on Whitehill lane.

They have been taking online chat sessions and a support service where young people can ask for advice during the lockdown, and from this they can refer people onwards to relevant bodies.

And things seem to be returning to 'the new normal', as Andrew explains.

"Recently the drop in centre has returned, but only one 1 to 1 appointments.

"And for people who don't have wifi or a computer, people can still come along and see us in person.

"We are 'covid-secure' with full PPE and will give people who attend a facemask.

"What's been the biggest shame is not being allowed to have the young people who come in for the music sessions.

"The music studio has been hugely popular since we opened, and every Friday, we have a specialist who comes in and helps the teenagers record and make music.

"We have had some success in hosting zoom lessons online to help people record at home, which is great to see.

"They are all itching to get back into the studio but unfortunately at the moment it's just not possible!"

You can see their social media channels here:

https://www.facebook.com/youthconcern.aylesbury or search @youthconcern.aylesbury