About Us
Young People Lead the Way
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Distraction Community project is a Banbury-based charity founded in 2025 by Lee Davis and a team of dedicated youth workers, following successful engagement at North Oxfordshire Academy. After over 400 young people completed the Level 3 Youth Work qualification through the Academy, it became clear there was a wider need for youth provision across the town- somewhere safe, supportive, and inspiring for young people to go, and something meaningful of them to do.
What we do
Distraction creates opportunities for young people and the wider community to grow, learn and lead. We support individuals to design and deliver projects that tackle local issues, develop vital life skills, and build confidence. Whether it's a creative idea, community event, or an outreach initiative, we believe in empowering people to take action and make change.
Our Mission
Supporting young people and our community to grow and achieve their full potential through:
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Engagement- Creating safe, inclusive spaces where young people feel seen, heard and valued.
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Education- Providing access to learning, training and personal development opportunities.
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Empowerment- Encouraging individuals to take the lead, develop skills, and create change in their lives and communities.
We believe in inspiring the community through the power of innovation- finding creative, meaningful ways to connect people, spark ideas, and make a lasting impact.
Meet The Trustees
Our board of trustees includes young adults who have completed the Level 3 Youth Work qualification and are rooted in the local community- bringing firsthand insight and lived experience into our leadership.
Lee
Project Lead
I’m the Founder of Distraction Community & Youth Project, a Banbury‑based charity created alongside local young adults who wanted to make a real difference in their town. After leaving my role as a Youth Development Worker, I saw a gap: young people needed open, welcoming spaces where they could belong, be heard, and build confidence — and young adults needed opportunities to lead, shape, and seed new projects for the community.My approach is rooted in co‑design, early intervention, and community partnership. I specialise in building youth‑led projects from the ground up. At Distraction we are excited about projects around:
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Spaces for young people
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Alternative education and re‑engagement programmes
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Detached and street‑based youth work
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Empowerment and leadership development
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Designing new projects that meet real local need
Charlotte
Chair of the Board
My main role is to ensure our trustee meetings are planned with an agenda to make sure we are all on track (with a few giggles and off topic conversations along the way!), as well as putting strategies in place to drive Distraction forward. I joined Distraction due to growing up in Banbury and understand the lack of resources available within the community, especially for young people. I have a true passion for making a difference personally but also professionally working as a recruiter within the children’s residential care sector.
Cameron
Finance Trustee
I am a Banbury local, who tries to give back to my town by making the best use of my abilities. I help Distraction with the financial side of things, making sure we are meeting the regulatory standards and keeping the rest of the trustees updated. You may also see me about giving a hand with the projects or on the socials every now and then, trying to convince you to give us a hand.
Liam
Trustee
I support Distraction Youth Project by leading on social media and helping deliver projects across the organisation. I’m passionate about creating opportunities and positive spaces for young people, using creativity and connection to inspire confidence, amplify their voices, and contribute to meaningful change in their lives and communities every day.
Zoe
Trustee
My role is to oversee the safeguarding within the project and to ensure everyone has the necessary qualifications to be working alongside young people. The reason I joined Distraction is because when I was younger Lee helped me get to where I am today and I wanted to give something back and support him in his new project. The other reason for being a part of distraction is to ensure the young people of today have a place to go and things to do in the community, youth work is a true passion of mine and it’s so important to me that young people have access to projects within the community.
Our
Story
Since its inception, young people have played a central role in shaping the direction of the project. Through ongoing consultation and active involvement in a dedicated youth committee, they help ensure the services we provide continue to meet their evolving needs. Our commitment to youth leadership expands to our board of trustees, which includes young adults from the local area who have completed the Level 3 qualification themselves. At Distraction, we place young people and the wider community at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to provide meaningful opportunities that enable individuals to reach their full potential. We empower young people and community members to create, develop, and lead inspiring projects that address local challenges- helping them to grow, build essential life skills, and make their voices heard within the community. Distraction believes in the power of collaboration- working alongside others, forming strong partnerships, making use of existing facilities, and supporting the growth of training and opportunities. We are committed to ensuring that young people and members of the local community are not left isolated. Our aim is to provide affordable, accessible youth and community services, available when they are needed most. We recognise that social isolation and loneliness have become serious challenges for many in our local area. That's why we are actively working to develop solutions that bring people together, foster connection, and create a stronger sense of belonging across the community.
Get to Know Us
After initially running a Youth Work course at North Oxfordshire Academy for several years, led by Lee Davis, the Distraction Community project was established in 2025 by Lee and a dedicated team. Throughout the program at NOA, over 400 young people aged 16-18 successfully completed their Level 3 Youth Work qualification. A core group recognised the importance of creating safe spaces and meaningful opportunities for children and young people- providing them with somewhere to go and something positive to do, rather than spending time one the streets. In response to this need, Distraction officially became a registered charity in 2025.