Alison Dawson

The Festival’s 5-day line up boasts a variety of interactive talks, workshops and events, and is completely free to attend. Based on the theme of education, activities and activism, featured guest speakers from local organisations will be speaking about subjects such as LGBT, drugs and alcohol, Black Lives Matter, Mental Health, and Employment and Training.

The festival is also to offer participants the chance to take part in workshops in poetry and lyric writing, stand-up comedy, circus skills and much more, as well as open mic nights where the young people can showcase skills learned throughout the festival.

The Youth West Summer Festival aims to provide meaningful and engaging activities to young people in a supportive and safe environment. This extends from efforts by YMCA Norfolk since the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown to continue their work with young people via a newly established online youth club website. The festival is a collective effort from local charities to continue to provide this safe and fun environment online where young people can access support during the summer holidays.

Tim Sweeting, CEO of YMCA Norfolk said,

“In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, many youth clubs have had to close leaving young people without the in-person support usually provided by charities like YMCA Norfolk.

“During this unique summer which has left many young people feeling limited in their options, we are pleased to provide an online space where they can relax and have fun, as well as learn skills and access training opportunities.”

Partnering organisations who are helping to run the festival include The Matthew Project, The Benjamin Foundation, The Garage, Swan Youth Project, and the West Norfolk Youth Advisory Board.

Free tickets as well as full details on the festival can be found at www.youthwestsummerfest.com

YMCA Norfolk are looking to recruit at least 20 new staff members to support their multi-service community hub, based on Aylsham road in Norwich. 

Initial recruitment will focus on childcare staff, who will help with the running of Muddy Puddles Nursery – an Ofsted-registered childcare provision based at the site. Roles will include the likes of a nursery manager, deputy manager, early years educators and safeguarding leads. 

All staff will have the chance to take part in various professional development and training initiatives, in line with the charity’s mission to encourage staff members to feel valued and strive to reach their full potential. 

Further roles will become available through the running of the centre’s community café, alongside general building maintenance; providing valuable work at a time where many jobs have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. 

The YMCA Norfolk CEO, Tim Sweeting, said:

“The development of our family-centered community hub will welcome at least 20 new jobs, ranging across nursery and catering industries, with an initial focus on childcare. Expanding the YMCA family is something we are extremely excited about, and can’t wait to have some fantastic childcare professionals as part of our amazing team. 

“We are thrilled to be able to offer some hope to the Norfolk community during a time of uncertainty and worry, and strive to continue making a huge difference to the local community.”

The innovative centre has already provided various work opportunities through contractors and construction workers who are involved in the renovation of the building; which, after a brief delay due to lockdown, is once again under construction. The building company working on the site, Cocksedge, are closely following Government guidelines and have developed a revised health and safety plan to ensure safe working at this time.

YMCA Norfolk are welcoming expressions of interest from the end of the summer, with recruitment for the role of nursery manager beginning in November. Recruitment for other roles will commence in the new year. 

We are encouraging parents and carers to register their interest in nursery places as soon as possible by getting in touch with our childcare team on childcare@ymcanorfolk.org.

Please keep an eye on our social media for further information over the coming months.

YMCA Norfolk provides vital services to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. These services have been deemed essential by the UK government and YMCA Norfolk are continuing to operate during the Covid-19 Pandemic, with new ways being found to provide support whilst adhering to the government’s guidance and social distancing measures. 

Despite the closure of many services across Norwich and Norfolk, the need to support vulnerable young people and families is ever-present, and YMCA Norfolk continues to work diligently to meet this need, through the provision of safe accommodation, and services to support young people’s mental health, wellbeing and independence.

YMCA Norfolk staff members wearing personal protective equipment

Head of Communities, Louise Hinchley said:

“Our families team continues its work to provide support to families across the county through this difficult time. To protect both families, and workers, many support and counselling sessions have moved to online video calls, whilst other clients are being offered telephone support.

“A coordinated effort has seen the delivery of food and toiletry supplies to families in need, and we are also assisting with the swift move of new mothers into safe accommodation. Meanwhile, frontline workers continue to visit those most in need, in their homes, and provide these families with vital support.”

The Youth and Communities Team have also moved their support base online, creating virtual youth groups for young people who would normally attend in person. These groups offer daily devotions, challenges and games, and an opportunity to socialise in a safe and secure environment. The Team are also working hard to provide resources to keep young people engaged in positive activities, such as podcasts from the Mind Matters Team, and videos on crafts, cooking and exercise.

CEO Tim Sweeting said:

“The support we provide to young people and families is more essential than ever in the current situation. I am so proud of our team for the agility they’ve shown to ensure we can continue to offer hope and practical support for those most in need.”

Coronavirus is having a significant financial impact on YMCA Norfolk, and if you would like to offer support to keep these vital services in place please donate via the giving page:

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/finalCharityHomepage.action?charityId=1006418

Construction of an old hall to be transformed into a vital Community Hub by YMCA Norfolk has commenced, just as fundraising efforts surpass £1M. The hall on Aylsham Road was formerly used by war veterans and families before closing in 2014. YMCA’s new project will see the building undergo a complete renovation into an innovative and family focussed community hub, with a nursery, café and soft play centre for 0-11-year olds. The YMCA Norfolk offices will also be moving to the site as part of a long-term commitment to the area.

Work began on the site Thursday 30 January, managed by construction consultancy DCP Surveyors. The existing building is being stripped out before the new purpose built and environmentally friendly facilities are installed.

YMCA Norfolk have recently surpassed £1M in their fundraising efforts, now having raised a total of £1.16M with the support of trusts, foundations and generous individuals, as well as Norfolk County Council. Public support has also helped to raise over £11,000, 45% of the public appeal target of £25,000.

YMCA Norfolk CEO Tim Sweeting said

 “We are excited that we have now passed the £1M mark in our fundraising journey for this project. We are very grateful for the pledges we have received so far to reach this milestone, and they will help to establish our ambitious Community Hub which will benefit and support families and youth in the area for many years to come.”

Once completed, the hub will be the home of Muddy Puddles Nursery, an Ofsted registered Nursery providing a positive environment where children can feel secure and valued. The nursery will have a focus on encouraging children to be curious and adventurous in their play and learning.

The hub will also feature a family centred Community Café, a clean and comfortable restaurant serving coffee and homecooked meals. This will be a space for parents to relax and watch whilst children enjoy the soft play.

Profits made through the Community Hub will be help YMCA Norfolk continue to reinvest in provisions for the local community such as youth clubs.

YMCA Norfolk are continuing to welcome hearing from individuals, community groups or businesses that can offer financial or practical support to take this innovative project forward. Members of the public who would like to offer financial support are invited to visit the public appeal page on Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ymcanorfolkcommunityhub

The escape room is a recent collaboration between YMCA Norfolk, Norfolk Museum Service and Kick the Dust, a programme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund which aims to transform how heritage organisations engage young people in the UK.

The initiative saw YMCA clients from Great Yarmouth develop and run two escape rooms in Great Yarmouth’s oldest building, the Tolhouse Gaol. This provided a fantastic setting for the themes of ‘Smugglers’ and ‘Witchfinders’ that the two rooms were based on. They were delivered by 5 YMCA clients, four of whom were acting in costume as part of the escape rooms, with one overseeing photography and social media coverage.

After their huge success, the partnership are taking their escape room to Norwich, to be a part of the YMCA 175 exhibition on Tuesday 11^th February on the ground floor of Castle Quarter, 100 Castle Meadow, Norwich, NR1 3DD . The 175 exhibition is a part of the YMCA Heritage and History Roadshow, celebrating the 175^th anniversary of the YMCA by showcasing unique materials and untold stories from YMCA’s history and heritage. In addition to the escape room, there will be a range of historic information and artwork on display depicting the evolution and global reach of YMCA over the past 175 years, along with interactive exhibits. The exhibition will be open from Monday 10^th February till 13^th February from 10am-4pm.

YMCA Norfolk CEO Tim Sweeting commented,

“The YMCA has a rich and a varied history, and this exhibition will be a great opportunity to learn of some of its great achievements such as its work in two World Wars, creating the game of basketball and the remembrance poppy, and its work internationally as the largest youth movement and NGO in the world.”

The escape room will be totally FREE to experience, with four slots available for booking at 12noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm on Tuesday 11^th February. It is a timed escape room, where you will work as a team or independently to solve clues and puzzles in order to prove your innocence to the judge – and you have 45 mins to break free! It will be held in Castle Quarter, in the crazy football unit next to the YMCA shop across from the exhibition.

To book an escape room experience please contact Leanne.lacey@ymcanorfolk.org   For more information regarding the exhibition please contact amanda.bayfield@ymcanorfolk.org