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Community and support at the Youth Project

Whats on this week

Find an activity that’s right for you. All sessions are free unless stated otherwise.

The centre is open for 1:1 until 18:30

Lunch time Drop-in at DMA

4pm

6pm

More than a Bike

The centre is open for 1:1 and Family support until 18:30

9am

11am

Parents Group

4pm

4:30pm

Young Carers Drop-in

4pm

4:30pm

Young Persons Committee

4pm

4.30pm

Duke of Edinburgh Check-in

4:30pm

6:30pm

Open Access (age 8 - 18)

The centre is closed today

The centre is open for 1:1 and Family support until 18:30

3:30pm

4pm

Young Carers Drop-in

4pm

6pm

Junior Open Access

From age 8 and at primary school

The centre is open for 1:1 and Family support until 18:30

3:30pm

4pm

Young Carers Drop-in

4pm

4.30pm

Duke of Edinburgh Check-in

3.30pm

4.30pm

C Card

4:30pm

6:30pm

Senior Open Access

high school aged

The Hub

Stay up to date with our latest news, events, and activities. There’s always something happening!

What We Do

We provide a range of services designed to support young people’s social and emotional wellbeing.

Open Access

Drop in and spend time with us

Duke of Edinburgh Award

We are providing a high quality experience for 15 young people to work through this award, gaining super valuable skills and experiences.

More Than a Bike

Learn the basics of maintaining your bike and road safety

One-to-One Support

Confidential support from our experienced and caring staff

Family Support

Whole family support for challenging situations

Young Carers

Support for you while you support others

Community Outreach

Connecting with young people in schools and local spaces.

What our young people say

The best thing is making new friends and the people here are all really nice. I don’t have many friends at school

If we need help with anything or if we don’t feel safe you’re there

The help that can be accessed runs much deeper than the swan project. The connections they have are amazing.

The staff are lovely and supportive. Feel like genuine Friends.

I’ve never not wanted to come. Family support and young carers support is the best because I’ve never had that before

I like being accepted no matter what

Great staff great groups great support network

I learnt key skills on employment and how things work in the work place

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? We’ve got answers. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to get in touch.

We cover Downham Market and the directly surrounding villages.

We welcome young people from age 8 to our groups and services

Our services are generally free to the user, there may be the occasional group where we ask for a small entry fee but please speak to staff if this is a barrier to attending.

We are based in an old school building on Paradise Road, Downham Market. PE38 9JE. We request that visitors park off site where possible, in Morrisons car park or the Hollies car park nearby.

Meet The Team

Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers are passionate about supporting young people in our community.

Anna Foster

Anna Foster

Project Manager and CEO

Anna has been working with young people and families for over 20 years, having originally trained as a Dance teacher. She loves her job and feels privileged to work with our amazing community to nurture the young people and families within it. She brings vision, passion and care to the role and is always looking at what is needed and wanted in the community. Her absolute passion is providing a holistic framework of support and care that allows each individual to grow and flourish.
Sonja Fysh

Sonja Fysh

Assistant Manager (Direct Delivery)

Sonja has worked with young people for the past 20 years, initially managing a Pre-school and for the last 5 years at the Swan Youth Project, she is in awe of our young people’s resilience, passion, uniqueness, their stories, their laughter and the joy they bring. Sonja brings a sunny personality and lots of positivity to the team, making everyone feel welcome. The holistic approach to supporting young people, their families and the community around them is the thing Sonja loves most about Swan Youth Project.
Louise Ramsey

Louise Ramsey

Assistant Manager (Community)

Louise is our Assistant Manager for Community . She is a highly experienced family practitioner with many years of community support within her roles, she has also recently become a Trauma Informed practitioner. You will find her delivering assemblies and workshops into schools and community groups, hosting events and generally gadding about the local area spreading the word of the Swan Youth Project! She also oversees our community shop Love Downham, and loves spending time chatting with our customers and signposting to our in-house services.
Lucy Kenna

Lucy Kenna

Senior Youth and Family Worker

Lucy previously worked in a local children's home and has a Degree in English. Our young people love her huge enthusiasm and amazing crafting skills and seek her out where possible. Lucy supports young people and families 1:1 both here and in the local schools, plus delivers a drop-in service at DMA. She can also be found planning/overseeing Open Access and all of our holiday activities.
George Last

George Last

Youth Worker

George comes to us from working as a TA in primary schools. He is a great male role model, bringing positivity and enthusiasm with a can-do approach to all areas. He enjoys that every day is different and that he can support young people in a way that suits them. He likes to tackle challenges in a slightly leftfield way! He loves the ‘genuineness’ of Swan Youth Project and seeing how lives can change for the better.
Naomi landymore

Naomi landymore

Youth Worker

Naomi has recently joined us from a local high school. She brings a caring approach and a familiar face to many young people. She can be found in Open Access sessions, looking after our Young Carers and delivering 1:1 support.
Shelley Martin

Shelley Martin

Bookkeeper/Administrator

Shelley has recently joined us and brings a love of all things accounting. She is a calm and reassuring presence, who is a pleasure to have around. Shelley completes our bookkeeping and admin for both Swan Youth Project and Love Downham. At home she has a busy family life and loves a bit of Pokémon spotting!
Kara Neve

Kara Neve

Love Downham Assistant

Kara helps us to run our community shop. She is an absolutely joy to be around and makes all of our customers feel like they have won the lottery on every visit! She is a whizz with the clothing area and loves to display all of the donations in our re-loved boutique area.
Lizzy Mathis

Lizzy Mathis

Love Downham Assistant

Lizzy started off as a volunteer at our Love Downham shop and is now an employee! She loves to meet our customers and can always be relied on for a cuppa and a supportive chat with everyone. Lizzy looks after the food area and loves to get to know our customers really well.
Trustees

Trustees

Supporting the centre

Our Trustees oversee the running of the project and the governance. They bring expertise in their particular field to build a balanced and knowledgeable board. They are the guardians of the project's assets and purpose, meeting regularly with the Chief Executive to ensure the Mission and Aims are being met.
James Bagge

James Bagge

Chair of Trustees and Patron

James was born and reared at Stradsett, West Norfolk. Sent to London to earn a living, he returned to be High Sheriff of Norfolk. Have since walked a few miles in aid of Carers Charities, James says, "It's time to ensure that all young people in and around Downham have the sort of love and support I have been so lucky to enjoy.

Love Downham

Love Downham is part of the Nourishing Norfolk Network,  offering affordable food  to the whole community. Our food is around 30% cheaper than the supermarkets, making the money go a little further in these times of financial challenge. Everyone is welcome in our shop to benefit from our lower prices and drive down food waste – we look forward to our weekly delivery from Fareshare on a Tuesday each week

Our staff and volunteers are friendly, non-judgemental and always happy to help, with kettle always on for a free cuppa. Our Community space is a welcoming spot to sit a while and chat with others or take a little time out.

We offer volunteering and training opportunities for the community, with targeted NEET support for 16 – 24 year olds. For more info please contact communityliaison@swanyouthproject.org

Our shop also houses a boutique style pre-loved clothing section, where you can browse the rails of new and nearly new clothes, shoes and accessories. We take only the very best stock, meaning everything is in excellent condition and the best part is it’s affordable!

The professional links that we have benefit our customers by us having the knowledge to be able to sign post appropriately, we are also fortunate to have regular visits from:

  • Norfolk Community Law Service

Our shop is an extension of the holistic support approach we offer at our Paradise Road site.

Sponsors & Partners

Thank you to our Supporters and Partners!

Our mission is to create a safe, engaging place for kids to be kids.
We rely on grants, donations, fundraisers and sponsors to make this a reality.
Donate Fundraise Sponsor