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YMCA Norfolk

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Harriet King

“It made me feel really proud to be a part of the YMCA” YMCA Norfolk staff share their experiences of #YMCA175

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On 6 June 1844, 22-year-old draper George Williams joined 11 friends to organise the first Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), a refuge of Bible study and prayer for young men seeking escape from the hazards of life on the streets of London.

This week, 175 years later, YMCA Norfolk staff attended a global youth event at the London ExCel Centre to celebrate YMCA’s landmark anniversary. The event – which ran from Sunday until Wednesday – hosted a wide range of exciting activities, concerts, forums and workshops; with attendees from over 120 different countries.

Team YMCA Norfolk leaving Norwich on Sunday to head down to London for YCMA 175

Tim Sweeting, YMCA Norfolk CEO, said: “YMCA175 gave our young leaders an experience of the breadth and depth of the oldest and largest youth organisation in the world.

“Impressive young leaders from across the globe inspired us with their stories of transforming communities and helped equip our team to bring lasting change to Norfolk.”

Our CEO caught up with YMCA colleagues from all over the world

Each day of the four-day event started with young people telling their inspirational stories; demonstrating how young people are fronting change in communities all over the world. From YMCA youth leaders to high-profile advocates and media campaigners; individuals shared talks on how every one of us has the potential to unleash positive change.

Following a ‘daily kick-off,’ attendees then had the chance to grab a quick lunch before jumping straight into an afternoon where they chose their own agenda. They could take part in an array of different activities including interactive workshops, seminars, reflective learning spaces, and open forum sessions to problem-solve how young people and YMCA address global issues. There were also various training opportunities, hosted by keynote speakers and involved thought-provoking panel discussions surrounding issues such as the impact of climate change and the rise in mental health conditions.

Team YMCA Norfolk at the Guvna B concert

Charlie Wall, Senior Youth Engagement Worker at YMCA Norfolk, attended the event along with Tim and five other staff members. Charlie said:

“YMCA175 was a unique chance that allowed YMCA Norfolk and the global YMCA family to come together at the birthplace of the youth charity’s origins and celebrate the amazing work we are doing.”

Charlie took full advantage of the amazing training opportunities on offer at the event: “At YMCA175, YMCA Germany and YMCA Springfield USA led the YMCA 175 Sports Leadership Award, which I had the opportunity to complete alongside my YMCA colleagues from all over the world. Within this training I was able to learn the importance of Mind, Body and Spirit and how we can link it to the health and wellbeing of the young people we support,” he added.

Charlie Wall outside YMAC175

Throughout the four days there were also opportunities to feed into global research and participative sessions to highlight some of the biggest issues facing young people. These were available in a range of languages and a variety of accessible delivery methods, to accommodate for YMCA’s widespread global services.

Rob Canniffe using George William’s desk – Founder of YMCA

Robert Canniffe, YMCA Norfolk Performance and Impact Officer, said: “I really enjoyed my time at YMCA 175! It was full of energy with sports, various workshops and evening celebrations. There were performances from the Saltmine Theatre Company doing extracts from their play on the founding of the YMCA and a YMCA choir called Choriosity  from Germany.

“There were a range of talks and workshops on climate change, mental health and history which I enjoyed. I met people from across the world including the USA, Australia, Germany and the Netherlands.”

UN Advocacy Workshop at YMCA 175

During the afternoon of each day, attendees could take the time to meet with friends and colleagues in the Plaza, interact with exhibitors and heritage experiences, or take part in a physical activity in the Health and Wellbeing space. Our YMCA Norfolk staff took full advantage of the fantastic sports on offer and participated in the likes of dodgeball and rock climbing, teaming up with colleagues from all over the world.

Rob giving his global YMCA colleagues a team talk

Catherine Watling, YMCA Norfolk Staff Development and Wellbeing Officer, said:

“The YMCA175 experience was eye opening on many levels. The 3,000 + attendees gave a true reflection on how far the YMCA movement stretches around the globe. It made me feel really proud to be a part of the YMCA.

“A strong message was echoed throughout the event that young people are the change makers, they have the power to take action, they are not the future, they are the present.

“I’ve come back to YMCA Norfolk enthused and excited with ideas and plans to take forward to play my part in giving a platform for young people to make a change and help deliver on the UN’s 17 SDG’s.”

Check out YMCA Norfolk’s social media pages for more photos of the event.

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‘Kick the Dust Norfolk’ Project: ‘It’s great to see Norfolk’s Museums Service open to hearing young people’s voices’

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Jade Prentice – our amazing Kick the Dust Youth Engagement Worker – is sadly moving on from YMCA to further her career in mental health. While we wish her all the best for the future, YMCA Norfolk wants to take this opportunity to showcase her fantastic work with the project over the last year. 

What is ‘Kick the Dust?’

‘Kick the Dust’ Norfolk is an exciting 4-year project supported by the National Lottery through the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It is aimed at young people aged 11-25 years of age to help them engage in heritage and to be more involved in having their voice present in Norfolk Museums Service.

At YMCA Norfolk we are working in Partnership with Norfolk Museums Service to help our residents become involved in this project and partake not only in fun and heritage-based activities, but to also have their voice shape the Museums service going forward; in turn offering volunteering, training and work placements. 

This is achieved through various levels of engagement; within YMCA we created a ‘Pre-Player’ Level, which are activities that are offered in our housing services across all sites (covering Norwich, Great Yarmouth & Kings Lynn) to help them engage in positive activities, learn new skills and make new friends.

The next level is ‘Player’, where the young person works with the Kick the Dust Project Worker and takes part in a range of activities within the Museum such as a tour of the dunegons or the Escape Room. In these sessions they also get a taste of different jobs within the Museums Sector by meeting professionals and getting involved in hands-on activities with them. 

After this we have the ‘Shaper’ level, which allows the young people to be more involved in directing and shaping the project. These people attend forums and discussions to influence not only how YMCA Norfolk offers sessions, but also the direction of Norfolk Museums Service when working with young people. 

A big part of the ‘Shaper’ level is also about young people volunteering at the museums and creating their own tours and exhibitions within the museums. Finally, we have the ‘Leader’ level which is where young people get involved in volunteering and work placements, which prepare them for Museum Apprenticeships & Traineeships which give people the opportunity to work at the museums whilst receiving qualifications and training.

The focus of this project is getting young people involved in Heritage & Arts, as well as educating them about the history of Norfolk.

Jade’s Journey with Kick the Dust Norfolk

Jade – who has worked with Kick the Dust for the last year – originally worked for YMCA on another project, and it was during this time that she learnt the importance of activities and engagement within YMCA’s housing services. While we believe a safe place to stay is of the utmost importance, positive activities and community engagement is also at the centre of YMCA Norfolk’s values. 

Jade said: “I liked the idea of working for Kick the Dust because it is very person-centred project; our young people’s voices are at the heart of the project, and that helps them remain engaged because it highlights the importance of their opinions and contribution to our community.

“I always want to work in a job where people’s voices are heard and valued, because that is how you make someone feel accepted and appreciated.”

Jade said she has noticed a huge transition in the young people who have taken part in the project, with many feeling more welcome and accepted in local museums and heritage sites:

“When we started this project I remember young people saying that they felt they could not go into a museum because of who they were, but through this project they have been given the opportunity to; and they have learnt that history and heritage is all around us. It has really illustrated the amazing history of Norfolk, and what their personal heritage is too.

“It has also illustrated how interested young people are in history. When asked what they would like to do for activities within this project, most of them always say how they would like to go back and live like people did in the war and before technology, so they could understand different points of view from different age groups.

“It has shown to me that young people want time away from technology and to spend time in the world just being,” Jade added.

Transforming Young Lives

In addition to learning about heritage and history, Jade and Kick the Dust’s young people have also helped to co-ordinate the YMCA 175 Exhibition & Roadshow, which is travelling across the UK, and will come to Norwich in February 2020. This has not only enhanced historical knowledge surrounding the YMCA, but also encouraged young people to use their research skills to gather information to be used in the exhibition. 

Gary, a YMCA Norfolk young person who has taken part in Kick the Dust, said: “the project has opened me up to new possibilities and made me realise everything I am capable of.”

Gary is actively engaged with the YAB in Great Yarmouth and does a lot of project work with MAP, but he says that Kick the Dust has given him the opportunity to partake in YMCA and made him settle into the environment a lot more. 

“I can’t pick out my favourite memory with Kick the Dust, all of it has been great so far. It has given me opportunities to always have fun and keep smiling, even when I’ve had a bad day. My engagement with Kick the Dust has also meant I’ve built lots of new friendships,” Gary added.

Jade – who supported Gary’s engagement – said her highlight of working on the project has been seeing a huge change in the confidence of the young people she worked with:

“Some young people I have worked with on this project suffered with such low confidence and anxiety, and after partaking in some activities within YMCA they then feel confident enough to go to the Museum and to then attend Forums and voice what they would like to do. 

“To see young people travel through the levels of Kick the Dust has been so rewarding, because you see them grow in their confidence and realise what they are capable of. To see young people learn new skills and be amazed at what they can do will always be the most fulfilling part of this job.

“It has also been so rewarding as well to work closely with amazing teams throughout Norfolk and to learn the work the Museums do with different groups of young people. It is nice to see Norfolk Museums Service open to hearing young people’s voices and see the importance of this project.”

We wish Jade all the best for the future, and can’t thank her enough for her outstanding contribution to YMCA Norfolk and our partnership projects. 

If you’d like to find out more about you can take part in Kick the Dust, please click here.

YMCA Norfolk launches fundraising appeal in community hub bid

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YMCA Norfolk have raised a further £95,000 towards their £800,000 fundraising target, following their announcement in May to open an exciting community hub next year.

Jubilee Hall on Aylsham Road in Norwich, opening Summer 2020, will be open to the local community to enjoy and will offer a range of services with a particular focus on families; including a day care nursery, café and soft play centre, on site pastoral support and youth clubs.

The total cost of the refurbishment is estimated at £2M; of which YMCA Norfolk now have a shortfall of £705,000.

Chief Executive, Tim Sweeting said: “Huge thanks to Norwich Freeman’s Charity, The Lind Trust, Norwich City Council and the John Jarrold Trust for their early support to this innovative project.

 “We’re currently awaiting responses from applications already submitted and are also writing a large number of additional bids and applications to a wide range of potential funders.  We feel confident that with their help and the support of local businesses and the wider community we can raise the necessary funds to ensure this essential community resource opens on time.”

YMCA Norfolk are continuing their fundraising campaign, and are launching an appeal to the public to assist them in making this scheme a reality.

Susie Knights, YMCA Norfolk Marketing and Fundraising Manager, said “There’s lots of ways the public can get involved in helping us achieve our fundraising target.

“We’re encouraging supporters to host their own fundraising events, with the full support of our fundraising department. From cake sales, non-uniform days, to live music or hosting your own sport event; there’s lots of different ways for everyone to get involved!

“We would love to hear from individuals, community groups or businesses that can offer financial or practical support to take the refurbishment forward. Every donation, big or small, is greatly appreciated and supports us in building a fantastic and much needed service within the community.”

You can donate towards our community hub scheme online via our web site:  www.ymcanorfolk.org

Or alternatively contact Susie Knights, 35-37 Exchange St, Norwich NR2 1DP or on susie.knights@ymcanorfolk.org.

YMCA Norfolk takes ownership of the E-Learning Service

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YMCA Norfolk has recently taken ownership of the E-learning service to combine their shared vision of transforming young lives.

The E-Learning Service began over 16 years ago to offer an alternative method of delivering education to children out of lessons or main-stream school through the use of technology.

Jason Beattie, YMCA Norfolk Business Development Director, said:

“We invested in the E-Learning Service to grow our menu of services to schools as it complements our existing provision of Mind Matters, a package of mental health support to schools and pupils, and Family Matters, our parenting support service.

“A good education is vital to the life chances of young people and we are really excited to be able to give them the best possible chance of future success.”

The E-learning Service has provided online education to several thousand pupils who have reintegrated back into school or continued with entries for GCSE and other exams with the Service.

While primarily Norfolk based, it already operates in partnership with schools and academies across Suffolk, Kent and Cambridgeshire – and is open to extending provision to education establishments across the UK.  

Students of all key-stages can select subjects to study and lessons are individually prepared for them by qualified subject teachers. Lessons are accessed online and can be completed by pupils on any day of the week and at any time of the day; offering much needed flexibility.

A time-tabled one-hour weekly webinar tutorial is available to students in each of their subjects giving them an opportunity to talk to, or IM, their teacher in order to get direct help with any work issues they may be having.  In addition, e-teachers can be contacted directly for help via the secure online email.

Work is usually completed by the pupil at home but can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection, including those at school, college, an inclusion unit, education centre or PRU.

Jackie Thompson, E-learning Service Manager said:

“It is exciting to be working within YMCA Norfolk which shares the ethos and vision that the E-Learning Service has worked towards in its 16 years of operation.

“The academic help which the E-Learning Service can give, coupled with the wider care which YMCA Norfolk so excellently provides will, I am certain, result in even better support and outcomes for all of our young people.”

YMCA Norfolk have recently appointed a new manager, who will start in September and initially work alongside Jackie Thompson to oversee the running of the service.

Farewell Lynton: Read about his inspiring transformation with YMCA Norfolk

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As much loved staff member – Lynton Adams- bids farewell to YMCA Norfolk to move back to London, we reflect on his exceptional transition from service user to long-term staff member.

Lynton grew up in London, and after falling in with the wrong crowd was exposed to a life of crime and drugs – which eventually led to a prison sentence. He was in and out of prison and number of times, and on his final sentence, a drug worker came to his cell and offered him some assistance; at this time, Lynton says he was finally ready to accept this help.

On release, he had an assessment with a rehabilitation centre in Norwich; and they accepted him for the day he came out of prison. He got on a train to Norwich, and went into treatment for eight months. Once his treatment had finished, he decided to stay in Norwich  – following advice from the centre that he should relocate from London; changing his environment and social circle.

His resettlement worker contacted YMCA Norfolk on his behalf. He was invited for an assessment to access our accommodation services. Lynton was interviewed by Martin Rye – who worked within housing at the time and is now the Income and Housing Development Manager for YMCA Norfolk. Despite what Lynton recalls as a tough interview, he was accepted and provided with a room at YMCA’s housing on St. Giles Street, Norwich. Lynton describes being scared, but feeling supported in a way which had never been before.

After 18 months staying at the YMCA, Lynton said he felt equipped with the tools to gain independence, and began looking at social accommodation with the help of his support worker. He was provided with a flat through Norwich City Council, and immediately began looking for a job. Initially, he was declined for a role with another service provider, as they argued he would be a risk to their clients. He volunteered at the treatment centre, and then went onto employment, but sadly was made redundant after three years. Despite gaining qualifications, Lynton said he felt like he was back to square one; unemployed, receiving benefits and struggling to find work.

After a year of job hunting, Lynton bumped into his former YMCA support worker, Martin, walking down Anglia Square, who asked what he was up to. Lynton explained how he was unemployed and looking for work, and Martin offered him a volunteering role at Throckmorton Yard. Six months later, Lynton was employed as a support worker within YMCA Norfolk’s housing.

Almost ten years later, following a successful career at YMCA, Lynton said: “Working at YMCA has meant seeing our young people grow. I see them from assessment, to moving, to support, and then to their own housing. To see that transformation – you just can’t beat that. That’s what’s kept me here for ten years.

“Naturally, as human beings, we make judgement. What I’ve learnt from working at YMCA is you can’t judge a book by its cover, because you don’t know when that person’s going to change. It’s been great to walk alongside our young people, and seeing that change. I walk around the city, and they say ‘thank you for what you’ve done for me’ – that is priceless, you can’t beat that.

Lynton has recently decided to leave YMCA Norfolk, to return to London and be closer to his family:

“Leaving YMCA Is the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make. It’s one of the hardest places to leave, because this is where I grew up; from service user to where I am today. It’s tough but I have family in London – my kids and grandkids are in London, but part of me will always be in Norfolk.

“My hopes for the future are to carry on inspiring and supporting others; making a difference in the community I live in rather than taking, which is what I’ve done previously,” he said.

“I came to YMCA as an adult, when I was at a point where nothing or no one could get through to me. The support, encouragement and empowerment that YMCA delivered to me has helped me become the person I wanted to be; hope filled, inspired and a productive member of society.”

We wish Lynton all the best for the future, and can’t thank him enough for his ongoing commitment to transforming young lives during his time with YMCA Norfolk.

Team YMCA Norfolk takes home 9th out of 44 at the 2019 Business Games

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YMCA Norfolk took home 9th place at the 2019 Active Workplaces Business Games at UEA’s Sportspark; an annual event hosted by Active Norfolk.

Over 40 Businesses and organisations across Norfolk entered teams to take part in 10 different sports throughout the day, which also included a ‘charity challenge.’ The sports for 2019 were:

  • Archery
  • Back to School Games
  • Kwik Cricket
  • Shuffleboard
  • Spring Centre Challenge
  • Table Tennis
  • Team Tennis
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • Volleyball
  • Wheelchair Basketball

Active Norfolk launched the event with the vision of heightening staff health and wellbeing across the county, in a fun (yet competitive) day of sport that offers a chance for team-building and networking with other businesses.

Led by Catherine Watling, Performance and Participation Officer at YMCA Norfolk, the YMCA Norfolk team comprised of various members of staff from across the organisation, demonstrating what a wide range of services YMCA Norfolk has to offer:

  • Claire Thacker – Family Matters
  • Kevin Dynes – On Track
  • Amy Chenery – Rapid Response (Families Team)
  • Keith Willier – Pathways
  • Sally Higginson – Umbrella, Housing
  • Ben Rafalski – Norwich Community Housing
  • Joe Fisher – Families team

Catherine, who runs a variety of staff health and wellbeing activities at YMCA Norfolk, said:”Our team finished in 9th place; the best position the organisation has ever come in comparison to previous years.

“The staff representing YMCA Norfolk demonstrated great sportsmanship and were overall superstars throughout the day. The day went so quickly as everyone was enjoying the fun atmosphere and friendly competition with other Norfolk businesses.”

Claire Thacker, YMCA Norfolk Families Engagement Worker, added: “I had a brilliant day and enjoyed getting to know other YMCA staff and their roles better – and having fun too!”

YMCA Norfolk wishes to thank Active Norfolk for putting on the event each year and giving staff a chance to try out new sports, test their fitness and all in all have a great day out.

The date for the 2020 Active Workplaces Business Games will be confirmed shortly on Active Norfolk’s website.