The Wee Haven Youth Project started in October 2018, founded by friends Kevin Brown and Sabrina Tickle, who met while studying Community Education at the University of Edinburgh. With years of experience in youth and community work, both Kevin and Sabrina knew firsthand how important youth clubs are—they grew up going to them! Kevin, from Wester Hailes, and Sabrina, from Glasgow/Niddrie, both came from working-class areas, and their own experiences shaped their passion for making youth work accessible to all. They believed that every young person deserves a safe, welcoming space to grow and have fun, which is how the vision for The Wee Haven Youth Project was born.

In January 2019, we launched our very first youth group—running on almost no funds, no paid staff, and a lot of heart! Kevin and Sabrina worked full-time jobs but spent all their spare time building the charity. Friends, family, and amazing local people stepped in, volunteering their time and donating whatever they could to make it happen. Without their amazing support, we wouldn’t be here today—and we’ll never forget those early days of kindness and hard work.
When it came to picking a name, we went back and forth for a while. We wanted something that honored the community, highlighted the importance of safe spaces, and felt like a “home away from home” for young people. After a public Facebook poll (because why not?), The Wee Haven Youth Project was born, and now we’re affectionately known as ‘The WHY Project’ or simply ‘WHY.’

Fast forward a few years—and a global pandemic—and here we are, thriving! We now work with over 120 young people every week, running awesome youth clubs, weekend groups, holiday activities, and providing support for families. We’ve got a brilliant team of youth workers, a dedicated board of trustees, and continued support from our community, friends, and family.

And the best part? We’re just getting started! We’re excited to keep growing and making a difference for many more years to come.