Action4Youth is proud to share the news that our former Chief Executive, Jenifer Cameron, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours, in recognition of services to children and young people.
Jenifer stepped down from her role in early December 2025, completing ten years at the helm of Action4Youth. During that decade, she led the charity through a period of significant growth and change, navigating economic uncertainty, a global pandemic and increasing demand for youth services, while ensuring that Action4Youth remained resilient, ambitious and focused on its purpose.
Under Jenifer’s leadership, Action4Youth expanded its reach and deepened its impact, supporting many tens of thousands of children and young people across Buckinghamshire and beyond. From outdoor learning and personal development programmes, to targeted youth work and safe spaces for young people who need them most, the charity strengthened both the breadth and quality of its provision. Throughout, Jenifer was known for her calm determination, clarity of vision and unwavering belief in the potential of young people.
True to her character, Jenifer is quick to emphasise that the honour reflects collective achievement rather than individual recognition. In a message shared with the organisation, she said:
“While the award is in my name, this OBE is in recognition of the work of Action4Youth in making positive changes to the lives of many tens of thousands of children and young people over the past nearly 10 years. Every individual, company and charitable trust which has supported A4Y has contributed to these achievements along with many others from outside the organisation whose aid has been invaluable. Within the charity, all of the team members down the years: the Programmes, Junction, Caldecotte Xperience and back room teams have all worked with commitment and skill and their achievements are huge. A4Y’s Board members are, and have been, an extraordinary group of people giving their time, experience and skills to help the organisation to flourish and reach ever greater numbers of young people. My personal thanks goes to the 3 Chairs who have been such a joy to work with; Ken Birkby, David Teasdale and Alastair Douglas. I look forward to seeing A4Y continue to flourish in the years ahead.”
Those who have worked alongside Jenifer will recognise this sentiment immediately. She has always placed people at the heart of the charity, championing collaboration, valuing expertise at every level and ensuring that success was shared. Her leadership style created space for others to grow, innovate and take pride in their work, while maintaining a strong strategic direction for the charity as a whole.
The OBE is therefore a fitting recognition not only of Jenifer’s personal commitment, but of the collective effort that has driven Action4Youth forward over the past decade. It reflects the dedication of staff and volunteers, the support of partners and funders, and the governance and guidance provided by trustees who have given their time and expertise so generously.
As Action4Youth looks to the future, the charity does so on strong foundations shaped in no small part by Jenifer’s leadership. We are delighted to see her contribution recognised at a national level and are deeply grateful for the legacy she leaves behind. We offer our warmest congratulations to Jenifer on this well-deserved honour and thank her for ten years of outstanding service to young people and to Action4Youth.
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