• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
YMCA Norfolk
YMCA Norfolk

YMCA Norfolk

Helping young people towards a brighter future

  • Who We Are
    • Our Mission
    • Our History
    • Our Executive Team
    • Our Board
    • Our Partners
    • Annual Review
    • Compliments and Complaints
  • What We Do
    • Accommodation
      • Norwich Central
      • MyPlace, Norwich
      • Community Housing Norwich
      • Community Housing Great Yarmouth
      • Community Housing Kings Lynn
      • Norfolk Nightstop Plus
      • Supported Lodgings
      • Umbrella, Norwich
    • Health and Wellbeing
    • Training and Education
      • Mental Health Training
      • Family Matters
      • E-learning Service
    • Family Work
    • Youth Work
      • Youth West Partnership
      • Youth Clubs
    • Childcare
    • Support and Advice
      • SOS Bus
      • Facilities
    • Coming Soon - Community Hub
  • News and Events
    • Latest News
    • Events
    • Case Studies
  • Get Involved
    • Fundraising Challenges
    • Give As You Live
    • The gift of a lifetime
    • Room Sponsorship
    • Corporate Giving
    • Shops
    • Volunteer
    • Supported Lodgings and Nightstop
    • Working For Us
  • Contact Us
Show Search
Hide Search
DONATE

Exhibition reveals 160 years of YMCA’s work in Norfolk

17 August 2017 by Keith Morris

An exhibition celebrating 160 years of the work of YMCA Norfolk is set to open at the Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse Museum near Dereham from August 21 to September 10.

A group of young people who use the YMCA’s services spent five months helping to research the history of YMCA Norfolk, culminating in the exhibition which last year was seen at the Bridewell Museum in Norwich.

A grant of £47,100 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, supported young people to research and record history about the YMCA, as well as document the lives of some of the people who access YMCA services today.

The Y-Heritage project has enabled the young people to develop new skills as well as giving them access to museum objects and archives, and to meet with museum and heritage professionals.

The YMCA is the longest standing youth charity in Norfolk. In 1856 Norwich Young Men’s Christian Association was founded by a group of young men to help apprentices and shop workers in Norwich and to improve the moral and religious life of the city.

At times of crisis, the charity stepped forward to support the city’s citizens. Almost 300 people who were evacuated from their homes in the floods of 1912 were given shelter. During the First World War, soldiers coming to the city were provided with food and accommodation and during the Second World War, the premises in St Giles were given over to feeding and entertaining troops and mobile vans toured remoter areas of the county with refreshments and essential items.  After the war, the first summer camps were pioneered by the YMCA and enabled thousands of youngsters to enjoy an affordable summer holiday. Today YMCA Norfolk provides a safe home and support for over 240 young people every night across the county.

YMCA Y-Heritage Project Officer Karina Flynn said: “Working on this project has provided an important perspective on what local heritage can offer young people besides a greater understanding of their own background and identity. It offers an opportunity to share stories with the hope of generating understanding amongst other groups and wider communities.”

YMCA Norfolk Chief Executive Tim Sweeting said: “For young people at the YMCA today creating an exhibition revealing this rich and diverse history has allowed them the chance to use the past as a tool for the future. It has also given them the opportunity to discover new skills and interests and to share their experiences of the YMCA today.”

Luke Millman is one of the young people who have been working on the project. He said: “From this experience I’ve learnt about YMCA, its past and just how much its changed from supporting young soldiers during the war and how valuable to us as homeless young people the YMCA still is, and in that sense it hasn’t changed.”

Norfolk County Council’s Chairman of Communities, Margaret Dewsbury said: “This exhibition showcases the significance of the internationally known YMCA, and how it has, over the last 160 years, had such an impact at a local level.  Over the course of history, its support to the people of Norfolk has been immeasurable and I hope the young people who were involved with the research for this exhibition have enjoyed this very special experience.”

Pictured above (L-R) when the exhibition previously opened at the Bridewell Museum: Hannah Henderson, Curator of Social History at the Norwich Museum at the Bridewell; Jenny Caynes Curator or Community History from Norwich Museum at the Bridewell; Karina Flynn, YMCA Norfolk Project Officer; Robin Hanley, Head of Operations & Learning at Norfolk Museums Service; Young Participants from the project, Luke, Amy, Chelsea and Tom; Jo Reilly, Heritage Lottery Fund and Tim Sweeting, YMCA Norfolk Chief Executive Officer.

Filed Under: LATEST NEWS

Primary Sidebar

  • YMCA Norfolk and The Youth West Partnership inspire creativity and provide support for young musicians in Norfolk after partnering with the Play Up Remote Recording Project
    09 October 2020
  • Time Capsule installed at new YMCA Norfolk Community Hub
    20 August 2020
  • Oscar’s face mask project provides much needed face coverings and essential information to fellow YMCA Norfolk residents
    06 August 2020
  • YMCA Norfolk’s Youth West Summer Festival to bring a week of free online events to young people in Norfolk this August 10th – 14th
    03 August 2020
  • YMCA Hub brings hope to Norfolk recruitment sector – set to offer at least 20 new jobs in Norwich
    18 June 2020
  • YMCA scheme is life-saver for vulnerable youngsters
    20 April 2020

Footer

About Us

  • Our Vision, Mission, Values and Identity
  • Our Executive Team
  • Our Partners
  • Our Board
  • Privacy Policy

Get Involved

  • Donate
  • Corporate Giving
  • Fundraising Challenges 2019
  • Volunteer
  • Shops

Stay in touch

YMCA Norfolk

Registered Address:
YMCA Norfolk
Aylsham Road
Norwich
NR3 2HF

Registered in England No. 2067523
Registered Charity Number 801606

YMCA
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.
SUPPORT & ADVICEACCOMMODATIONFAMILY WORKHEALTH & WELLBEINGTRAINING & EDUCATION

Copyright © 2021 YMCA Norfolk · Graphic Design by Bourne Creative · Web development © 2019 Pathlight Design