YMCA Chaplain Jez, EVS volunteers Marian and Franzi and Accommodation Support Workers Tess, Jonny and Pete took a group of YMCA Bournemouth residents to Sandyholme for three days of activities and workshops from 27th to 29th June.
Tired but happy! YMCA Bournemouth residents’ Sandyholme trip
YMCA Chaplain Jez, EVS volunteers Marian and Franzi and Accommodation Support Workers Tess, Jonny and Pete took a group of YMCA Bournemouth residents to Sandyholme for three days of activities and workshops from 27th to 29th June.
Volunteer of the Year Award – Congratulations to the winners!
Huge congratulations to the nominees and winners of our Volunteer of the Year Awards. Our volunteers are invaluable to our organisation and we are immensely grateful for their hard work and enthusiasm.
Congratulations in particular to Christine Graydon at the Townsend Children’s Project for being named Volunteer of the Year!
Local Youth Charity Calls On Political Candidates To Take On National YMCA Manifesto Recommendations
A youth charity from Bournemouth is calling on local political candidates to listen to the voices of young people who have been given a platform in this year’s General Election through a national YMCA manifesto.
YMCA Bournemouth, which supports 2,000 young people across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, has given its backing to the national YMCA manifesto that lists more than 40 recommendations for the next government, all inspired by consultations with young people across the country. The recommendations cover a diverse range of subjects that matter to young people today, including access to housing, mental health support, apprenticeships and physical health and wellbeing.
Lucy Culkin, Business Development Manager at YMCA Bournemouth, said: “Only 43% of young people voted in the last General Election and, as such, young people’s voices can be easily ignored by political candidates and decision makers. “We’re backing this manifesto because it puts young people back at the centre of political debate, ensuring that the issues that matter most to them are highlighted in the run up to 8 June.
“Young people have the most to gain – and the most to lose – from the policies of any future government and that is why we’re calling on our local candidates to put YMCA’s recommendations front and centre of their policies in the coming years.”
YMCA Bournemouth runs a range of services across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch including children’s centres, gyms, housing support and youth support. It is part of a nationwide YMCA federation of 116 local charities that, combined, works across 740 communities and supports 630,000 people.
View the YMCA’s national manifesto at: www.ymcabournemouth.org.uk/ymca-manifesto-2017
For more information on YMCA Bournemouth, visit www.ymcabournemouth.org.uk
Young people are also being encouraged to register to vote ahead in the General Election by the Monday 22 May deadline. Visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Lifewise Gym Re-Opens May 2017
Lifewise gym has seen a complete refurbishment over the last year and re-opened on 09 May 2017.
The gym is a key part of the YMCA’s drive to promote a healthier lifestyle for all and offers excellent facilities at an affordable price.
YMCA Bournemouth is launching a new Child Contact Centre later this month
YMCA Bournemouth have gained enhanced accreditation from The National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACC), to help separated families across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch work towards building positive relationships. The contact centre will run from three YMCA existing sites (Southbourne Children’s Centre, Pokesdown Children’s Centre and Townsend Youth Centre) from Monday 24 April.
‘Half Time’ initiative helps over 40 homeless people find a safe place to stay
We don’t often hear good news about homelessness, but over 40 people got off the streets and into more secure accommodation this winter thanks to the new Half Time centre on Westover Road.
The Half time centre is a partnership between YMCA Bournemouth, Faithworks Wessex, BCARS (Bournemouth Christians alongside rough sleepers) and Christians in the town.
Changing People’s Lives – Spring Edition
YMCA Bournemouth’s Spring newsletter is now out!
Find out what we have been doing in the last quarter and fabout our summer plans.
YMCA Bournemouth raises over £9000 for homeless people with 80 people sleeping rough for one night
Local people helped to raise £9000 for YMCA Bournemouth at a local fundraising event last week that saw them sleep out for the night in Bournemouth.
More than 80 people took part at the event on Friday 17th March helping to raise money but also awareness of the work of YMCA Bournemouth. Participants were sponsored to sleep rough in their own cardboard beds for the night.
The Chatterboxes present at The Council for Disabled Children National Conference
The Chatterboxes, part of YMCA Bournemouth, were invited to speak and deliver workshops at the “Making Participation Work” National Conference in London hosted by The Council for Disabled Children, The Department of Education and KIDS.
YMCA enables people to develop their full potential in mind, body and spirit. Inspired by, and faithful to our Christian values, we create supportive, inclusive and energising communities where young people can truly belong, contribute and thrive,