Helping young people build a future

For 165 years the YMCA has adapted to meet the needs of young people and their families. From providing emergency support to young men on the front lines of the First World War, to working with young people caught up in the criminal justice system today, the YMCA offers help where young people need it most.

The YMCA works with disadvantaged young people – regardless of gender, race or faith – giving them the skills and support to turn their lives around.

We are driven by the desire to see young people transform not just their own lives but also the lives of their families and communities. We believe in the potential of all young people and help them to reach it, no matter what their background. This belief is at the heart of our work.

Introducing the YMCA

“Without the YMCA I don’t think I would have got my life back on track.” Anthony, 19

Often, the most important step in transforming young lives is getting young people to believe in themselves.

By building confidence and aspirations, the YMCA enables young people to recognise and reach their full potential. In this way we empower them to take control of their own lives, whether

this means living independently, not returning to crime, choosing a career or simply having hope for the future.

We also give them a voice, enabling them to shape services and influence decision makers, from YMCA residents’ committees to Cabinet ministers.

Self-belief

Every young person deserves a safe place to live, plus the emotional support and practical skills they need to gain independence. And yet in the last year alone, 23,000 young people aged 16-24 were officially registered as homeless.

The YMCA is the largest provider of safe, supported accommodation in England, providing over 7,000

homeless young people with a safe place to sleep every night.

But homeless young people need more than just a bed; they need holistic practical and emotional support in order to get back on their feet. During their stay, we provide each young resident with a dedicated support worker to help them rebuild their life. We also offer a huge range of

services to help them move towards independent living, from cooking and budget-management classes to counselling, recreational activities and work experience schemes.

Homelessness

Every year, around 5% of young people leave school with no qualifications. Despite having the same potential as their peers to succeed, personal problems can make it hard for some young people to cope at school; while others struggle with traditional teaching methods.

Without support, young people who fall out of education are more likely to become homeless, end up in prison, have poor health or low incomes throughout their life. To combat this, the YMCA offers a huge range of informal and alternative learning opportunities so young people can gain educational and vocational qualifications in order to move

forward with their lives and eventually earn a living.

The YMCA also works with children and young people in school, helping them to make the most of their opportunities. This includes breakfast clubs, mentoring schemes, in-school pupil support and homework groups.

Education and Skills

The YMCA works with some of the most marginalised and disadvantaged young people in our country. Our combination of practical help and emotional support enables young people who are caught up in offending to transform their lives.

We work with young people on bail, in prison and after release. We challenge their negative behaviour, but also give them the skills, confidence and support to lead new lives.

In addition, the YMCA helps prevent children and young people getting caught up in anti-social or offending behaviour at the outset.

This can be through YMCA youth clubs, outreach buses, partnership projects with Youth Offending Teams or any of the many other ways in which we support young people. By providing young people with fun activities and encouragement, we help them make positive choices.

Crime

Young people do not grow up in a vacuum. Families sometimes need support and guidance to help them avoid conflict and mend bridges. Family breakdown is one of the main causes of youth homelessness. It can also lead to other problems such as mental health issues, drug or alcohol dependence and involvement in crime.

The YMCA offers a wide range of projects and services designed to support families and encourage positive relationships between parents and their children.

Family mediation, for example, is an excellent way of helping families discuss their issues in a constructive way, and work together to resolve conflict.

The YMCA also offers support, advice and training to help parents play a more active and constructive role in the lives of younger children too. These include ‘Dads & Lads’ sessions, residential parenting courses for struggling families and parenting networks.

Parents and Families

Physical activity plays a vital role in combating obesity, increasing self-confidence and creating healthy communities. We offer more projects and programmes that encourage people to exercise and eat well than any other charity in England. We believe that everyone should be encouraged to lead healthy and active lives, whatever their age, ability or income level.

Every year over 500,000 people exercise with the YMCA, with around 26,000 children taking part in YMCA sports and fitness activities each week. The YMCA encourages people who would not normally exercise to get fit and have fun.

As well as traditional gym programmes, exercise classes and team sports, the YMCA provides

sessions for specific groups including people with disabilities or those with medical problems. As part of our holistic support we encourage all young people to enjoy regular activity and a healthy diet. The YMCA is also the leading provider of professional fitness training in the UK.

Physical Activity and Health

The YMCA Movement in England consists of 135 autonomous YMCAs, which affiliate to YMCA England. YMCA England works to support, represent and empower these YMCAs, providing them with expert advice and guidance in all areas of their work.

By working with YMCAs who understand local issues, the YMCA Movement in England meets the real needs of young people, supporting them in a way which is nationally significant but locally relevant.

We are part of the world’s largest youth charity, with around 45 million members in 124 countries.

The YMCA Movement

124 countries

45 million members

165-year history

The YMCA’s vision is of an inclusive Christian Movement, transforming communities so that all young people truly belong, contribute and thrive.

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YMCA England

The National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations (Incorporated)Charity no. 212810Company no. 73749

www.ymca.org.uk