Support That Distraction Can Offer

At Distraction, our Detached Youth Work teams offer early help and support to young people across Banbury. We meet them where they naturally hang out—parks, streets, local hangouts—building trust and engaging on their terms.

 

Our youth workers focus on forming positive, consistent relationships that create space for open conversations. Through these relationships, we’re able to offer signposting to services, provide guidance, and help young people build the skills they need to move forward in life.

The young people we work with often face a range of challenges. By taking the time to build trust, we can help them identify and overcome barriers to their personal development—supporting their growth, building resilience, and helping them take positive steps for their future.

At Distraction, we’re a dynamic social enterprise committed to building confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills in young people. We partner with schools and colleges to deliver informal yet impactful sessions that help students thrive—both personally and professionally.

 

Our hands-on workshops and interactive group sessions create supportive environments where students can explore essential topics like:

• Resilience

• Employability Skills

• Confidence & Public Speaking

• Positive Mental Health & Wellbeing

 

We believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed—no matter where they start.

Pupils have a safe space for them to attend and get registered. That within this space there will be educational opportunities personalised to pupils needs.

Whenever possible, pupils should be reintegrated into the school environment promptly so they can participate in specific lessons and receive support through an appropriate curriculum. School is viewed as the setting where students are most likely to achieve educational success and that the provision and school will be working towards this.

Our Youth Clubs provide safe, welcoming environments where young people can relax, build friendships, and take part in a wide range of activities. Whether it's creative arts, sports, games, music, or just a place to chill and talk—our clubs are designed around what young people want and need.

 

Run by trained youth workers and supported by peer leaders, our clubs offer more than just fun. They’re spaces where young people can develop confidence, learn new skills, and access support in a friendly, informal setting.

 

Each session is shaped by the young people themselves, giving them a voice in how the club runs and what’s on offer. This helps us create a sense of ownership, responsibility, and pride in their space—while also encouraging leadership, teamwork, and personal development.

At Distraction, our Youth Mentoring program provides consistent, personalised support to young people during key moments of transition. Whether they’re navigating challenges at home, school, or in their wider lives, our mentors offer encouragement, guidance, and a listening ear—reminding young people that they are not alone and that they matter.

 

Mentoring is more than just support—it's about building trusted relationships that inspire confidence and help young people recognise their strengths.

A key part of our mentoring program is helping young people set and achieve personal goals. Working alongside a dedicated mentor, each young person creates a tailored Personal Development Plan. This plan helps them:

• Define short- and long-term goals

• Track personal growth

• Focus on both soft skills (confidence, motivation) and hard outcomes (education, training, employment)

• Reflect and adjust goals as they progress

 

The mentoring journey is flexible and responsive—adapting as each young person’s needs and aspirations evolve. To make sure every young person receives the best support possible, we prioritise mentor reporting and progress tracking. Regular check-ins and detailed reports help us:

1. Monitor development and wellbeing

2. Evaluate what’s working

3. Strengthen our support where needed

4. This process ensures that our mentoring is both meaningful and measurable.