Supporting Community Growth and Wellbeing
The Bungalow Youth Project is part of Buckfastleigh Community Development Trust, a charity rooted in the belief that local people have the power to create meaningful change when given the right support, spaces, and opportunities.
Our journey began over a decade ago, when community members, youth workers, and local partners came together to open a vibrant, inclusive space for young people in Buckfastleigh. The Bungalow was born from a shared vision: a youth-led environment where every young person could feel safe, valued, and inspired to shape their own future.
Growing with Our Community
Since those early days, we have steadily evolved in response to the needs and aspirations of our community.
Our work has expanded from open-access youth sessions to a rich programme that includes:
- Skills-building workshops, wellbeing support, and leadership development.
- Youth-led projects and decision-making opportunities.
- Counselling services and 1-to-1 emotional wellbeing support.
- Partnerships with local schools, health services, and community groups.
In 2023, we launched our Strategic Plan 2023–2028, setting out a clear vision for how we will continue to build a thriving, inclusive community.
Key goals include empowering young people, supporting grassroots social action, strengthening community leadership, and ensuring our organisation remains sustainable, inclusive, and impactful.
Recent Milestones
- 2021–2022: Secured a major three-year grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to develop a youth-led, asset-based community development model.
- 2022–2023: Expanded The Bungalow’s provision to include wellbeing-focused sessions and counselling services.
- 2023: Developed a Young Leaders Programme supporting 18–24-year-olds to train as youth workers.
- 2023–2028: Strategic priorities now include embedding inclusion and climate consciousness across all projects, building stronger partnerships, and investing in local leadership and participation.