Here for Preston since 1969
Since 1969, Foxton has been committed about offering a wide range of services to young people in the Frenchwood and Avenham areas of Preston.
Our services cater to those aged 8-19 years, or up to 25 years for those with disabilities. Through open access youth services, we operate youth groups in the evenings and run various youth programmes during the day. These programmes are designed to provide young people with fun activities, as well as guidance, mentorship and support.
During school holidays, we extend our services to include holiday programmes, ensuring that young people have access to engaging activities year-round. We also offer one-on-one support, providing personalised guidance to help young people manage schoolwork, navigate challenges, or simply offer a listening ear.
To ensure inclusivity, we serve food at all our activities and strive to keep costs low or entirely free, making it easier for everyone to participate. We also organise trips and activities throughout the year, keeping our calendar packed with exciting opportunities for young people.
Community services
Our community services are open to everyone and are designed to be responsive to the needs of both individuals and groups. We host a variety of sessions, such as arts groups, men’s groups, and stay-and-play sessions for parents and children. Additionally, we offer drop-in facilities where people can come for advice, support, or simply to chat over a cup of tea. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels supported and connected.
Throughout the year, we organise various community events that bring families and individuals together. Events such as pantomimes, farm days, and community fun days are designed to create memorable experiences and foster a strong sense of community.
Future growth
We are particularly proud of our Youth Forum, a group of young people who played a key role in securing funding for our future. Thanks to their efforts, we successfully bid for £2.4 million to rebuild our Youth Centre, which is expected to open in Spring 2025. This new facility will enable us to expand our services and reach even more young people and community members.
In the 2023-2024 year, we delivered 331 youth work sessions, with over 3,881 attendances. We also hosted seven community events that attracted over 652 attendees.
Our team and facilities
Our team consists of skilled and qualified youth and community workers. We are fortunate to have a group of dedicated volunteers who assist us in delivering our services, whether through direct support to young people, helping in the community, or assisting with tasks like maintenance and gardening.
Our temporary location at Unit 10 Oakham Court, Avenham Lane, provides a variety of facilities, including a kitchen for hot drinks, snacks, and meals, as well as a games room with pool tables and other activities. We offer free Wi-Fi and phones to support young people with homework or accessing benefits and advice. Our space is also available for group work, training, and use by other community providers.
Community outreach and impact
Beyond our centre, we maintain a green space in Avenham where we organise sports activities, picnics, BBQs, and events. Our detached youth workers are frequently out in the community, engaging with young people during the evenings and connecting with families during the day. We are passionate about the positive, lasting impact that youth work has on young people’s lives. We help build self-confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of belonging, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being.
We also work in partnership with Jamea Masjid Mosque to reach a wide range of young people in our Community of Avenham and Frenchwood. We support the mosque to offer weekend activities for young people and all are welcome from across the community. Please ask us for more information.
Our community work is focused on empowering individuals, families, and the broader community, fostering unity and cohesion. We invite you to visit us anytime and experience our services first-hand.
How we’ve helped.
As a mother I feel The Foxton Centre is a massive part of our community. It brings people together, helps and supports us all, especially our children.
Foxton Women’s Services is extremely important to me because of the other women, they do so much for us, we would be lost without them.
The Foxton has never let me slip through the net. It has been there to drag me out of the darkness so many times.