A retreat and activity-base centre offering self-catering accommodation to families, clubs and groups.

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Our vision is to create a space for people to come together, grow… and achieve.

History

Sandyholme is over 100 years old. It was built by Alexander Berens, a wandering artist who named it ‘Full Stop’ in recognition of the fact that he was calling a halt to his extensive travels. Some of the original artwork that Berens created can still be seen on the walls of Sandyholme.

After his death, the house was purchased by Mr Mills, a local solicitor who converted it into a hostel and named it Sandyholme. Mr Mills ran it as a Christian hostel providing cheap holidays for ministers and missionaries until 1987 when he gifted it to a charity, The Shaftesbury Society, who continued to run it as a hostel/holiday accommodation until they in turn passed the property on to YMCA Bournemouth in 2006.

YMCA Bournemouth

YMCA Bournemouth, which works across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, is part of the oldest and largest youth charity in the world. Each local YMCA works across five key areas – Accommodation, Family Work, Health & Wellbeing, Training and Education, and Support and Advice – with the aim of enabling people to develop their full potential in mind, body and spirit.

YMCA Bournemouth’s vision is of an inclusive Christian movement transforming communities so that all people can belong, contribute and thrive.