Swan Youth Project

What Swan Youth Project does

Swan Youth Project is a UK registered charity (Charity number 1143957) operating as Swan Youth Project (Norfolk) Ltd from a converted old school building on Paradise Road in Downham Market, Norfolk. Founded in 2011, the organization delivers youth services and family support for children and young people aged 8–18 — extending to 24 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities — across Downham Market and directly surrounding villages. Approximately 120 young people access services weekly, with 30–40 attending each Open Access drop-in session regularly and 99% of surveyed young people rating services Good or Outstanding in January 2024.

The service portfolio centers on free Open Access drop-in sessions and is supplemented by confidential 1:1 support using the Outcome Star methodology, family support, a Parents Group, Young Carers support, the Duke of Edinburgh Award (cohorts capped at 15), the More Than a Bike / SPACE Project, C-Card sexual health services, a hygiene bank with Year 6 Period Packs, holiday activities (including a Big Norfolk Holiday Fun-funded summer scheme), and a Young Person Committee. Delivery is entirely in-person via the Paradise Road centre, a dedicated Community Liaison role funded by Bain Capital since 2021, and a school-based lunch-time drop-in at Downham Market Academy plus 1:1 in-school support. Reciprocal partnerships with Matthew Project, Magdalene Group, and Family Action embed specialist peer services into Swan sessions. No proprietary technology platform, API, or digital service is disclosed; the organization is a people-intensive, trauma-informed service operation.

Funding is a multi-source blend typical of UK micro-charities: government and lottery grants (DCMS, National Community Lottery Fund, UK Government Levelling Up, King's Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council), named corporate support (notably Bain Capital for the Community Liaison post), individual donations via JustGiving and BACS, community fundraising (GEAR 10K team, Christmas Big Bonanza raffle, Project Prom), and minor commercial income from branded Swan hemp bags sold at £15. Most services are free to users, with £10 paid spaces available for summer scheme. In 2025 the organization announced the closure of its Love Downham social supermarket after nearly four years, citing funding constraints and the need to prioritize oversubscribed core centre services with active waiting lists.

Name

Swan Youth Project

Legal name

Swan Youth Project (Norfolk) Ltd

Website

https://swanyouthproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Swan Youth Project is a UK registered charity founded in 2011 providing free youth services and family support to roughly 120 young people weekly (ages 8–24 with SEND) in Downham Market, Norfolk, funded by government grants, donations, and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth and Family Community Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

Keywords

• Youth support services
• Family support programs
• Community youth work
• Young carers support
• Open access drop-in

Headquarters

HQ city

Downham Market

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Charity accepts cash donations at their Paradise Road centre, regular BACS payments, and fundraising event contributions. Operates JustGiving page for online donations. Charity number 1143957.
2. Grants and Government Funding: Relies heavily on grants from organizations including DCMS, National Community Lottery Fund, UK Government Levelling Up funding, and local Borough Council funding.
3. Fundraising Events: Organizes own fundraising events including GEAR 10K running team, Christmas raffles (Big Bonanza), and corporate workplace fundraising.
4. Product Sales: Sells Swan Youth Project branded hemp bags at £15 each from their Paradise Road centre.
5. Affordable Food Sales (Love Downham): Love Downham social supermarket operated as part of Nourishing Norfolk Network, offering affordable food to the community. The shop is closing after nearly 4 years to focus on main centre services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Swan Youth Project provides free, community-based youth and family support services from its Paradise Road centre in Downham Market, Norfolk. Its core offering comprises Open Access drop-in sessions, 1:1 confidential support, family support, parents group, young carers support, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, More Than a Bike project, the C-Card sexual health scheme, a Hygiene Bank, and holiday activities. The charity also runs community outreach in schools and a social supermarket (Love Downham) as part of the Nourishing Norfolk Network.

Product overview

Swan Youth Project offers a holistic portfolio of youth support services centered around their main drop-in centre in Downham Market. The core offering includes Open Access sessions (the gateway service), 1:1 Support, Family Support, Parents Group, and Young Carers Support. Additional services include Duke of Edinburgh Award, More Than a Bike/SPACE Project, C-Card sexual health scheme, Hygiene Bank, Young Person Committee, and Holiday Activities. Community outreach and the Love Downham social supermarket extend their reach. The Swan Garden Project represents future outdoor development. Merchandise includes Swan Hemp Bags. The organization operates from an old school building since 2011, serving young people aged 8-24 (up to 24 with SEND) in a Trauma Informed approach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Open Access Sessions Drop-in sessions for young people aged 8–18, run on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons without booking required. Provide positive activities and a safe space to connect with peers and staff.
• 1:1 Support Confidential one-to-one support using the Outcome Star methodology to identify targets and work towards goals, supporting young people aged 8+ with mild or emerging mental health concerns.
• Family Support Rounded family support service covering parental separation, mental health, bullying, SEND, poverty and other challenging situations, working with young people 1:1 and parents separately.
• Parents Group Relaxed, non-judgmental Tuesday morning group (9am–11am, term time) for parents and carers, with free hot drinks and snacks, guest speakers, and monthly visits from Family Action supporting families whose children may have ASD or ADHD.
• Young Carers Support Support service for young people under 18 caring for relatives with disability, illness, mental health conditions or addiction. Includes check-in sessions before Open Access, 1:1 key-worker support, and family sessions. Holds the Young Carers Friendly Tick Award.
• Duke of Edinburgh Award Award scheme for young people aged 14–24 at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, covering Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and Residential sections. Delivered for small cohorts of around 15 young people.
• More Than a Bike / SPACE Project Programme teaching bike maintenance and road safety while building positive relationships with youth workers. Targets young people at risk of anti-social behaviour.
• C-Card Scheme Sexual health service for young people aged 13–24 providing free condoms, information and advice through registration and ongoing distribution.
• Hygiene Bank Integral hygiene-product distribution service available to all young people attending the project, with Year 6 girls receiving special 'Period Packs'.
• Young Person Committee Youth-led committee allowing young people to influence project decisions, participate in organising sessions, and take ownership of how things are run.
• Holiday Activities Engaging holiday sessions and trips (e.g., 10am–2pm with lunch provided) funded through the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun scheme, including themed activities and day trips.
• Community Outreach / Community Liaison Service spreading awareness of the project through school workshops, assemblies on transition/mental health/anti-bullying, and Parent Evening attendance. Funded by Bain Capital since 2021.
• Love Downham Social Supermarket Social supermarket operated as part of the Nourishing Norfolk Network, offering affordable food and a re-loved clothing boutique to the community. Operated by Swan Youth Project for nearly 4 years before being closed to focus on main centre services.
• Project Prom Annual February event providing Year 11 and Year 13 students access to high quality and affordable prom clothing, run in collaboration with local community partners.
• Swan Hemp Bags (Merchandise) Branded Swan Youth Project hemp bag merchandise (45cm x 33cm with short handles) sold at £15 each from the Paradise Road centre.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of young people surveyed rated services Good or Outstanding
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Norfolk Safeguarding Children PartnershipminorOthersFormal safeguarding partnership membership ensuring child protection standards and protocols.
• Matthew ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisited Open Access sessions to share information on their services and brought drugs trays and 'beer goggles' for education.
• Magdalene GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisited 3x Open Access sessions to deliver workshops on healthy relationships and consent to young people.
• Family ActionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAttends Parents Group once a month to support families with young people who may have ASD or ADHD.
• MorrisonsminorOthersLocal supermarket that provides parking for centre visitors and supports the project in various ways.
• Mabel the BakeryminorOthersLocal bakery that has supported the project and donated prizes for fundraising events.
• Words and Wonder BookshopminorOthersLocal independent bookshop supporting the project and community initiatives.
• Downham Market Young FarmersminorOthersLocal young farmers group that has supported the project and its activities.
• Love Downham (Nourishing Norfolk Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial supermarket as part of Nourishing Norfolk Network, offering affordable food to the community. Was operated by Swan Youth Project but is now closing after nearly 4 years.
• Project Prom PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual event hosting affordable Prom clothing for year 11 and 13 students, run in collaboration with local community support.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Barnardo's: One of the UK's largest children's charities providing services including mental health support, family support, young carers, and safeguarding. Direct overlap on family support and young carers services delivered by Swan, though operating nationally across hundreds of service locations.
• Groundwork: Federated charity delivering community-based environmental, wellbeing, and youth programmes across England and Wales. Relevant adjacency given Swan's planned Swan Garden Project combining outdoor engagement with mental health support for young people.
• The Prince's Trust: UK's largest youth-development charity offering mentoring, skills programmes, and personal development for 11-30 year olds. Comparable to Swan Youth Project on target age band and positive youth development model, but operates nationally and at vastly greater scale.
• Coram: London-based children's charity offering adoption, fostering, early years, and youth services. Comparable on children and family support programmes including mental health and SEND pathways, though operating primarily in London and the South East.
• YMCA England & Wales: Federated network delivering youth work, family support, and community services across England and Wales. Overlaps with Swan Youth Project on youth services, family support, and community-based delivery, but at national scale with broader housing and health remits.

Direct peers

• Carers Trust: UK charity network supporting unpaid carers including young carers, operating local Young Carers Services. Directly comparable on the Young Carers Friendly Tick Award-recognised service Swan Youth Project delivers for under-18s caring for relatives.
• The Mix: UK charity providing information, advice, and support services for under-25s on mental health, relationships, and wellbeing. Comparable on youth-targeted mental health and information services, though primarily digital-first rather than community-centre based.
• UK Youth: National membership body and charity supporting youth organisations and young people across the UK. Closely aligned with Swan Youth Project's positive youth development mission and provides infrastructure that small community youth charities like Swan tap into for training, advocacy, and funding pathways.
• Centrepoint: UK charity supporting vulnerable young people aged 16-24 with housing, health, and personal development services. Comparable on wraparound youth support model and 1:1 casework approach, though focused primarily on housing rather than community drop-in services.
• Family Action: National family support charity already a strategic partner of Swan Youth Project (delivers monthly Parents Group support). Highly comparable on family/parenting support, SEND, and mental health service offerings delivered through community-based programmes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/DMSwanYouth
• Facebookfacebook.com/theswanproject1
• Instagraminstagram.com/dmswanyouthproject
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swan-youth-project

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Swan Youth Project