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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

Run Norwich is an award winning 10km road race, organised by the NCFC Community Sports Foundation that takes place in the heart of Norwich’s beautiful and historic city centre.

Last year Run Norwich places sold out within 4 days – this year the 10km race will return for the 6^th time, with demand for places expected to be the highest yet.

As a partner charity for Run Norwich 2020 we are thrilled we can offer 30 places to runners who will, in return, commit to raising a minimum of £150 which will enable us to continue with the vital services we provide. In return we can offer a race shirt and support along the way, including an invitation to join our running group to train for 10k led by our very own Catherine Watling. This will be completely free of charge and will be a fantastic opportunity not only to train but to meet fellow YMCA representative runners before the day. This is likely to start at the beginning of April for 12 weeks but further details will be available closer to the time. We will also provide a fundraising pack, including sponsor forms, and help with linking online fundraising to our YMCA fundraising (site)

In the last year alone, YMCA Norfolk has included provided a safe and secure home to 445 young people, intensive family support to 68 families via our Families Team, enabling 674 young people to participate in Mental Health Awareness sessions and providing 7209 hours of one-to-one support.

To register your interest in securing a place whilst raising funds for YMCA Norfolk please email judy.bailey@ymcanorfolk.org. 

For further race information and rules please follow the link https://www.runnorwich.co.uk/.

YMCA Norfolk is part of the oldest youth charity in the world but we are completely autonomous and solely responsible for raising our own funding which is used to carry out the services we offer to vulnerable young people and families in Norfolk.

Our mission is to inspire young people to discover their potential so that they can live life in all its fullness. We provide accommodation and support to help people towards independent living whilst also providing employment, training and work place experience through our social enterprises and employability projects.

YMCA Norfolk today received nearly 400 gifts for children and young people through a partnership with Norwich City Football Club and SOUL Church.

The gifts will be distributed to 240 young adults who are provided with a safe home each night across the county as well as the children of single parent families and children on the edge of care or receiving intensive support by the YMCA Families Team.

Jason Overman, an Engagement Worker at Norwich Central which house 34 young people in its assessment centre said:

“These donations make a huge difference, the generosity of everyone who has donated goes a long way to show the kindness at the heart of our community towards our young people. I remember a moment last Christmas, when a small donation made a young person’s face light up when they realised that the gift was for them. I am excited to see the impact that these amazing gifts from the WONDER TREE will make this year.

Tim Sweeting, YMCA Norfolk CEO, said:

“We are so grateful to the staff of Norwich City Football club and the congregation of SOUL Church in donating so many amazing gifts that will enable us to support young people and families at a time that is often very difficult and distressing.

“As a youth charity that is in the business of hope, we want to ensure that we can offer hope to children and young people; helping them to have a fantastic Christmas and this partnership will certainly enable us to achieve this.”

Zoe Ward, Business and Project Director for the Canaries previously commented:

“Norwich City Football Club is really pleased to support such a special initiative that will help make a difference to families within our community.

Jon Norman, Lead Pastor of SOUL Church, said:

“The Wonder Tree is all about placing dignity on families who are struggling at Christmas and we are honoured to be partnering with Norwich City Football Club and the YMCA. Together we’re stronger!”

The gifts will be distributed over the Christmas period along with social events, games and fun activities to truly help make this Christmas a WONDERfull time of the year!

For more information contact Tim Sweeting – tim.sweeting@ymcanorfolk.org 01603 621263

YMCA Norfolk will be taking part in The Wonder Tree giving initiative this Christmas, in partnership with Norwich City Football Club and SOUL Church.

Over 800 individuals will receive a free gift from the partnership, including 240 young people that are provided a safe home and are supported by YMCA Norfolk as well as children of single parent families and children of families on the edge of care.  Children of a local school and other families in need will also receive gifts.

Tim Sweeting, YMCA Norfolk CEO, said:

“Among all the joy and fun of this time of year, many of the families we support across our county will experience financial difficulties and feel under pressure this Christmas.

“We are so excited to be part of The Wonder Tree campaign to put that right and help to alleviate stress for a number of families.

“As a youth charity that is in the business of hope, we want to ensure that we can offer hope to children and young people; helping them to have a fantastic Christmas.”

Zoe Ward, Business and Project Director for the Canaries, added:

“Norwich City Football Club is really pleased to support such a special initiative that will help make a difference to families within our community.

“The Wonder Tree Campaign will enable all children to really enjoy this special time of year”

Jon Norman, Lead Pastor of SOUL Church, said: “The Wonder Tree is all about placing dignity on families who are struggling at Christmas and we are honoured to be partnering Norwich City Football Club and the YMCA. Together we’re stronger!”

Note to readers:

If you would like to donate a gift to The Wonder Tree, please follow the instructions below:

1. Pick up a gift tag from The Wonder Tree at SOUL Church – choose from Gold, Silver or Purple

2. Follow the instructions on the tag. Please only bring brand new gifts with a value of up to £15.00

3. Bring the present and the tag back to church and pop them under the tree. We’ll take care of the wrapping! If you’d like to donate online, please visit www.thewonder.org.uk or www.soulchurch.co.uk/donate and select ‘Wonder Tree’ on the donations drop down.

YMCA’s 175^th anniversary roadshow, which launched at the Houses of Parliament in June this year, will be exhibited at Castle Quarter, Norwich, on 10^th – 13^th February 2020.

YMCA Norfolk will host the exhibition, which showcases and celebrates the roots of YMCA. The roadshow has been co-produced and delivered by young people working jointly with 10 local YMCAs and esteemed partner, Birmingham University, and made possible by the grant received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. YMCA Norfolk hopes to inspire the local community with stories of YMCA’s heritage, including its work during World War I and World War II.

The project has revealed new materials relating to YMCA, telling the untold stories from YMCA’s history and heritage. From humble beginnings when George Williams created the YMCA in London in 1844, the stories unfold through the years, focussed around YMCA’s four themes of Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment, Health and Environment.

On display will be a huge range of artwork from through various eras in history, including posters and postcards that depict the evolution of YMCA over the years. The exhibition will include copies of posters from China, the Middle East and India – advertising various international YMCA services, such as health campaigns, as well as moving art work from Prisoners of War.

Denise Hatton, Chief Executive of YMCA England & Wales, said: “Over the past 175 years, YMCA has impacted upon the lives of millions of people across the UK. Our Anniversary Roadshow will be the first time we have brought together our rich heritage and history in one place for the public to see.

“Showcasing stories such as our support during the First and Second World Wars, inventing basketball and volleyball, and our work with the United Nations alongside brand-new tales from local YMCAs will bring this exhibition, and the history of YMCA, to life in an exciting way.”

On November 8, Charlie Smith, Senior Mental Health Youth Engagement Worker, was awarded ‘Young Leader of the Year’ at the national YMCA Youth Matters awards. The Young Leader of the Year Award recognises a young person for their ability to make a real difference in their YMCA by bringing about positive change, working with vision and inspiring others.

Charlie was praised by judges for her drive and determination in breaking down damaging stigmas and raising awareness of mental health issues. She has been instrumental in growing YMCA Norfolk’s Mind Matters team, and in completing her training for Mental Health First Aid she has driven the project forward and developed close links with local charities, schools and churches.

Charlie’s passion for youth work has not stopped in Norfolk and in her role as Youth Ambassador for YMCA England & Wales she has travelled all over; delivering the positive mental health message globally. Charlie has attended a YMCA conference in Switzerland and delivered a training session to other YMCA staff and Youth Ambassadors, as well as speaking at the UN in New York about the role young people should play in decision making. We spoke to Charlie about her time with YMCA and asked how other young YMCA staff members can follow in her foot steps:

Hi Charlie. How long have you work with YMCA Norfolk, and for what period of that time have you been involved with YMCA England and Wales?

I have worked for YMCA Norfolk for over 5 years. I first got involved with YMCA England and Wales about 4 years ago when we received the original funding for Mind Matters. After the success from the project I then got involved further with them as a Youth Ambassador and started attending events to raise awareness of our project. These events included speaking at St Paul’s Cathedral (to a big crowd!)

What inspired you to become involved in the wider YMCA movement?

I love working for YMCA Norfolk so was excited to know that there were so many other YMCA’s out there to explore and find out what impact they had on their communities.

What has been the highlight of your YMCA career?

There have been so many great things but I think the best one is going to New York as a Youth Ambassador. I got to go to the UN and even speak in front of many around the importance of young people in decision making. That was just amazing!

What are your future plans? 

To continue to work hard to increase awareness of Mind Matters and the work that we carry out to ensure that all young people receive the help they require around mental health and wellbeing. I also aim to still work with YMCA England and Wales as a Youth Ambassador in every way I can!

What advice would you give to a young YMCA Norfolk employee looking to become a youth ambassador/work with YMCA nationally or internationally?

DO IT! Why wouldn’t you?! Working as a Youth Ambassador has opened my eyes to how great the YMCA is around the world whilst also improving my own confidence, belief in what I can achieve and building skills in public speaking and working alongside various nationalities. The travel opportunities are pretty amazing too! So yeah, do it!