Action4Youth has secured £449,732 over five years from The National Lottery Community Fund to power the next chapter of The Junction in High Wycombe. Tucked inside the library at the Eden Centre and open every day from 4–9pm, The Junction is a free, drop-in space where 11–18-year-olds can feel safe, supported and inspired. Since opening in 2022 it has grown into a buzzing hub, now welcoming around 2,000 visits every month.
A safe space every day
For many young people, The Junction is the place they go when the school day ends or at weekends – somewhere warm, welcoming and free of judgement. Experienced youth workers are always on hand, offering a listening ear, crisis support and mentoring that many families simply cannot access elsewhere.
Alongside this vital support, there is plenty to get involved in: from cooking and fitness sessions to workshops on money management and life skills. A relaxed recreational area gives young people the chance to meet friends, try new activities and build confidence, helping to break down barriers and bring together High Wycombe’s diverse communities. The centre’s consistent, positive presence has also contributed to a reduction in anti-social activity locally.
Young people at the helm
What makes The Junction stand out is how strongly it is shaped by young people themselves. Increasingly, they help to design activities, lead sessions and take responsibility for parts of the centre’s day-to-day running.
Paul Dyne, Centre Manager at The Junction, said:
“This donation will allow us to continue the amazing work we have been undertaking with the young people of High Wycombe (and surrounding areas) for the past 4 years. Allowing us to fulfil our dream of becoming a centre where the young people not only attend but manage and run themselves (with the assistance of the staff), making this a truly young people led youth service.”
Backed for the long term
For Action4Youth, this five-year investment is transformational. It provides the stability to plan ahead, strengthen what already works and innovate with new ideas. The funding will support more targeted sessions, additional mentoring and further opportunities for young people to have a say in the running of the centre, ensuring The Junction remains a vital, youth-led space at the heart of High Wycombe for many years to come.
Please help us make this page more visible by sharing it through your own social networks.
