Harriet King

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.

YMCA Norfolk took home 9^th 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 9^th 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.

The SOS Bus (a service by Project Safe Haven and led by YMCA Norfolk) is back up and running with the support of King Lynn Borough Council and East Anglian discount retailer QD – QualityDiscounts.com. The bus – which had tried to upkeep the service despite a six month period without electric – lost their long-term suppliers and was in desperate need of a provider.

 “The SOS bus sadly lost their long-term supply from Cashino, who have supported us for many years previous. This resulted in the SOS being unable to supply a full service and meant working in undesirable conditions. The SOS team tried numerous options including a generator, feeding a supply from local venues, taking a feed from current street lighting and repositioning the trailer. However, sadly none of these were possible.”

“The SOS team thought every avenue had been explored until QD’s head office kindly offered to put in an electric supply directly to the outside of their retail store on Norfolk Street in Kings Lynn and continue to support us by covering our electric use for the future; which as a result has meant the service can fully resume.

“YMCA Norfolk would like to say a massive thanks to QD and all those who have supported us and tried to help during this very challenging time. Also a massive thanks to all the volunteers who continued to work every weekend to provide a service to those within the night-time economy despite these challenges especially through the winter months.” – Nadine Mallett, West Norfolk Localities Manager, YMCA Norfolk

Paul Lemmon, Store Development Manager for QD, said: “Project Safe Haven provides an invaluable service in Kings Lynn and, as a local business with a store in the town, we were only too pleased to be able to help. We have installed a permanent electricity supply from our store which means that the SOS Bus can carry on its fantastic work without the worry and cost of having power.”

Project Safe Haven is a multi-agency initiative which is operating every Friday and Saturday night from 9pm until late within the night-time economy of Kings Lynn town centre. We offer a variety of services and support by working in conjunction with local agencies. This enables us to offer help and advice to any individual presenting in crisis or needing assistance. The SOS unit is located in Kings Lynn town centre, in a prime location within the night-time economy. For more information on the projects services, please click here.

YMCA Norfolk held its annual celebration ball on Friday at Wensum Valley Hotel and Golf Club, raising a staggering £7,500 for the organisation, its young people and services.

Staff, friends and supporters attended the black-tie event, where YMCA Norfolk young people spoke about their inspiring journeys with the organisation and opened-up about their hope-filled futures.

Anglia Picture Perfect provided a photo booth with props to dress up with, while Norfolk-Based band The Wapscallions had the crowd dancing to well-loved hits including, of course, the YMCA. The evening’s entertainment also included close up magic tricks from magician Mark Daynes.

The evening was sponsored by Clear Consulting and Design, KGB Heating, Norwich Electrical and US2U Consulting who helped to support reception drinks, entertainer, the photo booth and the raffle.

Judy Bailey, YMCA Norfolk Events and Fundraising Officer, said: “Guests were able to enjoy drinks on the terrace in the evening sunshine, be amazed by the magician, have fun on the photo booth, tuck in to a delicious meal and then dance the night away.

“Thanks to everyone who attended, supported and donated and to our sponsors Clear Consulting & Design Ltd, KGB Commercial Heating, Norwich Electrical and US2U Consulting as well as our Young People who had the courage to stand up and tell people their personal stories.”

Keep up to date with YMCA Norfolk’s events calendar here and keep an eye on our social media pages for upcoming events across the organisation.

YWCA Kenya have thanked YMCA Norfolk for their donation and support in recognition of World Menstrual Day 2019.

Young people and staff at YMCA Norfolk raised funds in the recent months through street collections and selling hand-made items created by YMCA Norfolk young people, in addition to the donations of YMCA Norfolk supporters.

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