Creating a safer, more hopeful future for young people

We’ve recently completed a project working with Wycombe Youth Action (WYA). Addressing the community Health & Wellbeing needs, we have been able to provide essential first aid training to young people in the High Wycombe area.

Wycombe Youth action works within the community and aims to target and challenge attitudes and perceptions around young people. They work to support safer more equal communities so local communities can thrive.

Wycombe Youth Action sought funding from Buckinghamshire Council – Community Boards, for a First Aid program for young people in the community, specifically targeting youth group members and their siblings.

This project covered three youth clubs, Sheros, Empower, and Be Easy. If is felt the project is highly needed due to the rise in knife crime in and around the High Wycombe area. The first aid training included how to dress wounds from various weapons, as well as techniques for resuscitation, and treating cuts, burns, and choking. The timing of these session tied in nicely with Knife Crime Awareness Week 19^th-25^th May

The Ben Kinsella Trust provides the following statistics for England and Wales:

• Teenagers remain the most likely age group to be murdered by a knife.
• Knife crime has risen by 87% in last 10 years – Police-recorded offences involving a knife or sharp instrument (up to December 2024)
• 3801-admissions to hospital in England and Wales for assault by a sharp object.
• 1,439 – hospital admissions for under 24s for assault by a sharp object in March 2024 ending.
• 16% increase in Met Police recorded offences involving a knife or sharp instrument up to June 2024.
• 54,587 – recorded offences involving a knife or sharp object up to Dec 2024 in England and Wales.
• 57 young people aged under 25 were murdered with a knife or sharp object in the 12 months to March 2024 17 were under 16.

This project gave young people confidence within themselves to know what to do if they come across family members, friends or others in the community to be able to assist with first aid if needed.

I was so grateful to be invited to deliver the sessions for the youth groups. It really does bring me a great a deal of pleasure and job satisfaction teaching the skills to kids who may not get the opportunity to learn this elsewhere. The hard work of WYA is remarkable despite the funding cuts which mean WYA now has only two remaining members of staff.

Across the country, charities, police forces, youth professionals, parents, carers, and individuals are making a tangible difference in the lives of young people every day.

If you can help make a difference, please consider donating so the work of Wycombe Youth Action can continue.