Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you
(Bible, 1 Peter 5:6-7)

More Than Just a Song

The song is what comes to many people’s minds when ‘YMCA’ is mentioned, but both the abbreviation and the organisation mean so much more. Historically, the letters stand for ‘Young Men´s Christian Association’.

But don’t worry – as an organisation we are far from being only for men or only for Christians!

The Chaplaincy Team

The chaplaincy team are passionate about God and passionate about people. We have experienced God´s love personally and we want to share this with those around us. We help people to know God better and to follow Him no matter what the circumstances. We get alongside those people on their way to God.

Our chaplaincy team offers spiritual support, pastoral care and moral guidance to YMCA Bournemouth´s clients, volunteers and staff, and to their families.

We write a regular chaplaincy blog and our prayer is that God will use this as a way to speak into people’s lives. You can read our blog here.

Culture of Prayer

At YMCA Bournemouth, we pray that God might be glorified through our work. We seek God’s plan for the vision of the organisation, and for the wisdom in the way we operate.

We pray for specific clients, for staff and for organisation-wide needs. We pray because we want God to do what only He can do – to save people for eternity.

To promote a culture of prayer, we have staff prayer meetings, offer prayers to clients and promote prayer days that are open to everyone.

Supporting our Hostel Residents

We run a number of activities for our housing clients, who are often in the process of recovery and struggling with drug issues and/or mental health. These include a supportive 12-step Christ-centered group for people struggling with addictions or compulsive behaviours; a ‘Bereavement Journey’ course; Snack & Chat sessions; and a Bible study – an informal environment in which we read the Bible together and answer questions.

Clients are always welcome to attend one-to-one appointments to receive our support. We also deliver inspirational workshops and trips to enable clients to work on self-development and/or relax in a different environment.

Rough Sleepers

Alongside Faithworks Wessex/BCARS, we run Half-Time, an individual-approach based service enabling rough sleepers to receive advice and get in touch with housing providers, as well as to have a shower and/or wash their clothes.

In addition we provide staff for the HealthBus, a mobile medical bus that allows local rough sleepers to access non-emergency medical care.

Supporting Youth

We are absolutely committed to supporting young people as they grow individually, relationally and spiritually. Consequently, our Chaplain co-leads a youth group at our youth centre in Pokesdown that’s primary focus, as well as having fun together, is on raising young leaders that are grounded in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Sandyholme Retreat Centre

We are blessed to have beautiful retreat centre in Studland, Isle of Purbeck, just a few minutes walk from the beach and Old Harry Rocks. This relaxing environment is a great opportunity for church groups to have some quiet time with God and/or take part in coastal teambuilding activities.

Please see here for more information about Sandyholme.

Contact Us

Passionate about serving God and helping people, our chaplaincy team offers spiritual support, pastoral care and moral guidance to YMCA Bournemouth´s clients, volunteers and staff, and to their families.

Our door is always open for enquiries.

Please call Ryan on 07827 848478 or contact us using the form below.

Over 2019, the chaplaincy team have held over 100 ‘snack & chat’ drop-in sessions for our hostel residents

Download Leaflet

About YMCA Bournemouth

We work across five key areas – Housing & Support, Family & Relationships, Youth Work, Training & Education, and Health & Wellbeing – to enable people in our local community to develop their full potential in mind, body and spirit.

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Get in touch

Chaplaincy Team
YMCA Bournemouth
56 Westover Road
Bournemouth
BH1 2BS

01202 290451