Strategic Plan2012 - 2015

MINDBODY SPIRIT

IntroductionThe YMCA has been serving the Black Country for over 124 years.

This Strategic Plan provides a broad picture of YMCA Black Country Group’s* direction of travel and its development and delivery priorities over the 3 year period, 2012-2015.

Additionally, a Business Plan is approved annually by the Board which provides the detailed operational objectives and milestones for the year, in line with the achievement of this strategy.*including it’s subsidiary and associated companies

YMCA ContextYMCA Black Country Group is a local expression of the worldwide YMCA Movement.

There are approximately 14,000 YMCAs in over 130 countries, united by the Paris Basis (see page 5) and meeting the local needs of young people and the wider community in body, mind and spirit.

In the Black Country, the YMCA provides a wide range of services including supported housing, youth work, childcare, family support, substance misuse recovery, employability programmes and community based social enterprises.

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Our Key DriversThese four statements provide the key drivers for our work with young people and local communities.

VisionOur vision describes where we are heading; what we are becoming

“YMCA Black Country Group is part of an inclusive Christian Movement, transforming communities, so that all young people can truly belong, contribute and thrive”

MissionOur services deliver our mission

Developing Body Mind and Spirit

ValuesOur Christian values aim to be Christ centred, inclusive and aspirational

Inspire | Trust | Compassion | Hope

Founding Basis drafted over 150 years ago the Paris Basis remains the founding statement uniting 14,000 YMCAs worldwide. It describes the faith based motivation of those at the centre of the YMCA

“The YMCA seek to unite those who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour, according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to be his disciples in their faith and in their life, and to associate their efforts for the extension of his Kingdom amongst young people.”

Paris Basis, 1855

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Cross Cutting Imperatives In the context of a rapidly changing external environment, 3 cross cutting imperatives apply to the development of our services:

To meet local need based on the • Vision & Mission and in the context of our values and founding basis

To increase our • Black Country focus – developing services across all parts of the Black Country and it’s Staffordshire border area

To achieve • greater diversification of income which reducesourvulnerabilitytoshorttermcontractfluctuations

Service Developments Our Mission & Vision will be delivered through 3 thematic service areas.

Over the next 3 years we aim to provide:

Housing & Youth ServicesA wider variety of sustainable accommodation services to •enable community transformation and the development of young people

Support services offering a range of pathways for vulnerable •homeless people, operating in each local authority area

Mission driven youth development work which also harnesses •the skills of local volunteers

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Childcare & Family ServicesQuality nursery childcare & early years education •through an expanded network of nursery provision

Familysupportservicestomeetidentifiedneeds•

A childcare profession ‘academy’ for young people •to develop their skills & careers

High quality child & adult safeguarding policy •and practice

Skills, Enterprise & Community Services

A recovery based substance misuse service, targeting •vulnerable, young people and adults

Social enterprises which support the YMCA mission, •enabling young people to develop entrepreneurial and work related skills

A Black Country wide Learning & Skills Development •Service with awarding body accreditation, supporting young people and communities

Our Christian HeartWe will celebrate and nurture the Christian heart of our YMCA as a source of inspiration and motivation whist ensuring our services are open to all, regardless of faith

Over the next 3 years we will:

ExemplifyaconfidentChristianidentity •which welcomes and values diversity

Ensure our ethos and values are evidenced •in each operational project

Increase partnership working with Churches •and the wider Christian community

Create ‘doors’ and ‘windows’ which explore •and express our Christian faith based motivation

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Corporate Governance & Support ServicesDuring the 3 year life of this strategy:

Strong skill-based governance will lead the strategy, •compliance and accountability requirements of YMCA Black Country Group

Ourcorporatesupportinfrastructurewillprovideflexible•andefficientinternalservicesfortheYMCABlackCountry Group to ISO9001 standard

YMCA Movement We will play an active role in contributing to the development and vibrancy of the YMCA Movement locally, nationally and internationally.

Over the next 3 years we will:

Contribute to Movement governance and •leadership at Midlands and national level

Develop young people through Movement •wide participation opportunities

Support strong relations between YMCAs •through the local and national YMCA strategies, participation in YMCA forums and events

Support the growth of YMCA Christian •mission networks

Develop international YMCA partnerships •in support of our wider objectives

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YMCA Black Country Group (Formerly West Bromwich & District YMCA)

Charity No. 1086320 Company No. 4116412 RP No. L4550

YMCA Wolverhampton Charity No. 1043739 Company No. 3012233

YMCA Black Country Group Social Enterprises Ltd Company No. 3427861

West Bromwich & District YMCA Community Enterprises LtdCompany No. 3684577

0121 524 1950 | 01902 371 550www.ymcabc.org.uk

Registered Office: 38 Carters Green,

West Bromwich, B70 9LG0121 524 1950 | 0121 524 1978

Administrative Office: 29-31 Temple Street,

Wolverhampton, WV2 4AN01902 371 550 | 01902 371 595