Youth Concern

Who We Are Supporting

This year, all proceeds from our match, raffle, and silent auction go directly to Youth Concern. Their mission is simple: ensuring 13–25 year olds in Aylesbury Vale feel seen, safe, and supported to live with confidence, purpose, and possibility.

Youth Concern creates spaces where young people can feel safe and be real. Through their homelessness prevention projects and counselling services, they support around 700 young people every year, with approximately 130 young people visiting each month.

How Your Donations Help

None of this vital work is possible without generous donors. Your participation in the charity match helps fund:

• The Drop-in Centre: A safe central Aylesbury hub where young people can access a youth food bank, use a music studio, and receive guidance on sexual health and substance use.
• Counselling Services: Direct access to therapy. Demand has surged recently, with up to 71 young people receiving support at any one time.
• The Next Step Project: Supported accommodation for up to 9 homeless young people (aged 18–25). It provides safety and stability for up to 18 months, helping them develop the skills to live independently.
• Practical Guidance: Hands-on support with housing, education, training, employment, and finances to build confidence and life skills.

On behalf of the young people supported now—and those who will be helped in the future—thank you for your kindness and generosity.

The Reality in Aylesbury Vale

Unfortunately, the need for these services is growing. Here is the reality for young people living in our area:

Poverty & Deprivation

• Aylesbury Vale is in the top 20% most deprived areas in England.
• 42.8% of Bucks households experienced deprivation in at least one of these measures: employment, education, health and household overcrowding.
• 13% of children in Aylesbury Vale live in poverty, rising to 34% in Quarrendon.
• 24% of under 19s in Bucks are in low-income families compared to 15% nationally.
• Youth Concern distributed 63% more food parcels in 24/25 versus the previous year.

Mental Health & Loneliness

• 1 in 5 children experience mental health difficulties.
• The average wait for counselling in Bucks is 378 days vs the 187 national average.
• Of children and young people with mental health conditions, 25% live in households with reduced income, 10% live in homes that rely on food banks, and 14% live in homes that cannot be kept warm.
• 16-29s are twice more likely to feel chronically lonely than over 70s.
• Stigma stops young people (esp. men) from seeking help.
• There is a lack of safe spaces: "Life is just school/work and then home".

Homelessness, Crime & Complexity

• Youth homelessness in Aylesbury Vale is 22% higher than the national average.
• There are an estimated 983 homeless or at-risk young people (aged 16-24) in Bucks.
• Aylesbury reports 65% more violent & sexual offences than the national average.
• Aylesbury North is higher than the national average for drug offences.
• 20 people in Aylesbury Vale experience domestic abuse daily, which is slightly higher than the national average.
• SEND prevalence in Bucks (4.7%) is in line with the national average (4.8%), but EHCPs have doubled since 2015.