About

The Junction 

The Junction (established in 2005), supports and improves young people’s health and wellbeing in the heart of Leith.

Our multi-disciplinary team of staff and volunteers use both ‘youth work’ and therapeutic approaches to meet the needs of young people aged 12 – 21. Providing services to young people who live, work or learn in North East Edinburgh.

Vision:

Young people thrive, with access to support and resources that meet their health and wellbeing needs.

Mission:

To provide services for young people to support their health and wellbeing, and enable them to make informed decisions about their lives.

Values

We take a holistic approach towards young people’s health & wellbeing. We understand that aspects of young people’s lives are interrelated, so we make sure that young people are able to access our services, without having to fit themselves in with defined issues.

Young people are at the heart of everything we do. Our decisions and services are therefore responsive to the needs of young people and the wider community.

Nurturing – We create a supportive and compassionate environment for young people, staff and volunteers. We work to ensure healthy growth and development for all individuals.

Inclusive – We ensure our services are accessible and inclusive for all. Creating safe and welcoming spaces for young people and an inclusive culture for our staff and volunteers.

Non-Judgemental – Our staff and volunteers are approachable and aim to be non-judgemental. We actively explore our biases and are open to learning and expanding our knowledge.

Collaborative – We work collaboratively with young people, each other, and key partners. We maximise working relationships that improve young people’s wellbeing and organisational development.

Staff

Cara Spence

Director

Cara has an overview of all activities relating to The Junction. She provides support to senior level staff and engages directly with the Board of Trustees and funders.

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Danni Szerszynska

Project Work Team Lead

Danni oversees the development and delivery of key services and supports the Project Work Team. She runs the Friday 'Chill and Chat' service and supports outreach delivery.

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April-Wendy Hayes

Creative Express Worker

April-Wend leads our Creative Express Service, using creative methods to explore health and wellbeing with young people. She provides one-to-one support, groupwork, and outreach work.

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Helen Munro

Young Person's Voice Worker

Helen explores how we listen to and involve young people and supports The Junction's Youth Advisors. She provides one-to-one support and works within our drop-ins, and delivers outreach work.

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Caroline Crozier

Project Worker

Caroline provides one-to-one support for young people impacted by substance-use (including young people affected by substance-use in their families). She provides training for professionals and delivers educational inputs in schools.

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Marnie Murray

Project Worker - Outreach

Marnie oversees our outreach in the local community. She provides one-to-one support for young people, and facilitates the Mosaic youth group working with the Multicultural Family Base.

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Léonie Graham

Counselling Team Lead

Leonie oversees The Junction's Counselling Service. Matching young people with counsellors to suit their needs; and providing support to Junction counsellors.

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Grace McNally

Young Person's Counsellor

Grace provides counselling to young people. Working with young people experiencing a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges.

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Lauren Reavy

Office Administrator

Lauren helps us deliver our services by providing administrative support. She also oversees our social media content working with young people and the wider team.

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Vicki Watson

Fundraiser

Vicki helps us deliver our services by raising funds through small grant applications, partnerships, as well as fundraising events.

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Janice Bailey

Finance Officer

Janice maintains our financial records and preparing financial information to help with the management of the Junction.

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Rachel Lochhead

One-to-one Support Worker

Rachel is the key worker in the 'Time to Talk' project. Her role focuses on providing one-to-one support for young people. She also helps out at our drop-ins.

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