YMCA Norfolk has become the first youth organisation to achieve the nationally-recognised Ambition Quality – Bronze standard for the services it provides to young people throughout the county.
Youth and Community Manager Amanda Bayfield, who is responsible for the work, said: “The award is all about us raising the standards of our youth work in clubs and schools so that the quality is improved, providing a better environment for young people.
“We wanted to be first to achieve the award so that we can lead by example and be able to overcome any challenges we may face in order to support other Norfolk groups. It shows people and other organisations that we are great at what we do and will help us raise the benchmark.”
The award provides a structured framework to make organisational changes which benefit staff, volunteers and young people and covers the extensive work which YMCA Norfolk does with young people, dozens of schools and youth groups across Norfolk.
There are three levels of awards; Bronze, Silver and Gold and they last for three years. “We will definitely be aiming for gold,” said Amanda.
“By achieving Ambition Quality, YMCA Norfolk has made an ongoing commitment to quality improvement,” said Rachel Smith, Head of Quality and Training at Ambition. “It has demonstrated its approach to quality through an evidence-based portfolio and ultimately ensure the best possible service for young people.”
Included in the work covered by the award is a mental health awareness service which YMCA Norfolk provides to dozens of schools across Norfolk, three youth clubs in East Norfolk, the Big Lottery funded Life Ready project in Great Yarmouth and Life Ready in Norwich funded by Children in Need and a Great Yarmouth advisory service for independent youth clubs.
Pictured above are Amanda Bayfield, left, Kayleigh Temperton and Jess Tyson from YMCA Norfolk.