Matthew Mckillop

Starting on World Mental Health Day (10 October), YMCA Norfolk is urging everyone across Norfolk to break the silence over mental health by initiating small but meaningful conversations with friends, colleagues and even strangers as part of their Small Talks, Big Difference initiative.
               

Everyone struggles at times with their mental health, especially over the past 18 months, and yet speaking openly about it can still feel like an extremely daunting prospect. To help make this a little easier, YMCA Norfolk are asking people to take 15 minutes of their day this October for Tea Talks, and have devised a simple T.A.L.K. plan to kick things off:
               

Take the time to engage and check in with those around you; Ask twice about how they are feeling to break through the common ‘I’m fine’ response; Learn to listen by being patient and don’t cut people off; and Keep it up –don’t stop after one chat, keep checking in with each other. Click here to find the full T.A.L.K method.
               

As part of their T.A.L.K. plan, packages will be available for Tea Talks in local YMCAs across England and Wales, including tea bags and key cards with questions and tips for initiating and progressing positive small talks to help tackle the big issue of mental health.
               

Viki Bainsfair, Wellbeing Engagement Worker for YMCA Norfolk said: “Mental health means different things to different people, but a resounding and uniting element is the need for support, openness, and continued work to remove the stigma from one of the most debilitating illnesses affecting so many people right now. “We are proud to be promoting this campaign to the wider local community. As part of the work that we already do, we are excited to be sharing this message and guidance with local partners through William’s Kitchen and our residences across Norfolk. Our staff across YMCA Norfolk are also encouraged to participate, including leadership who will be implementing Tea and Talks into their meetings.
               

“Small Talks is about breaking down barriers and breaking the silence in order to do just that. In taking the time to have these conversations and ensure that we all make ourselves available to listen, everyone can have a positive impact on the mental health of those around them.
               

“Through our Tea Talks and T.A.L.K. guide, YMCA Norfolk is encouraging people to check in regularly, creating a vital support network of people to help lighten the load, not just on World Mental Health Day, but all year round.”
               

Alongside their usual work with young people – such as Men’s Walk and Talk with residents through partner program On Track, YMCA Norfolk staff are set to deliver workshops dealing with mental health, including a webinar hosted by AQA and a wellbeing day with the pupils of Springwood Academy.
               

YMCA Norfolk addresses a range of issues facing young people and families across the county, from accommodation and workshops to simply someone to talk to or a helping hand. The 341 young residents and 290 families helped and housed by the organisation in the last year have taken part in thousands of sessions, with 99% of residents feeling able to talk to staff about their wellbeing and concerns. Small Talks aims to broaden this umbrella and spark positive discussion in the wider community.

Three projects and staff members have been shortlisted as semi-finalists for the 2021 YMCA England and Wales Youth Matters Awards, which are held every year in London to celebrate the amazing work of YMCAs across the country.

YMCA Norfolk Semi Finalists this year include:

• The E-Learning Service (Training and Education Project of the Year)
• Harriet King (Young Leader of the Year)
• The Family & Community Project (Family Work Project of the Year)

The E-Learning Service, which offers individually tailored provision for students based on their unique learning needs and ability levels across a wide spectrum, was nominated for the Education and Training Project of the year:

“This past year has been particularly challenging for young people who are on the margins, and their education can often suffer as a result.  We are privileged to have had the opportunity to work with 175 young people this year, providing them with specialist education when they could so easily have lost all interest in their learning.” said Jamie Holland, E-Learning Service Principle.

The service specifically works with:

• Students not accessing mainstream education.
• Students excluded or at risk of exclusion.
• Those suffering physical health conditions.
• Those suffering from social, emotional or mental health conditions, including anxiety.
• Those with school attendance/refusing to attend school.
• Those dealing with challenging life circumstances.
• Students with ASD.
• Teenage mothers.
• Students travelling out of the county with their families.

In addition to the E-Learning Service’s nomination, Harriet King, Senior Marketing and Fundraising Officer, was nominated as Young Leader of the Year:

“With her can-do attitude and ability to tackle any task that came her way, Harriet was selected to be the Project Officer for the new £2m projects to deliver a 90 place nursery, Café and soft play along with HQ replacement.

Harriet quickly developed project management skills and negotiated her way through the role of being the internal link with the project. Working closely with the Senior Management team, she became very hands-on, ensuring actions were completed, decisions were made in a timely manner and keeping the project on track,” reads the nomination from Harriet’s colleagues.

YMCA Norfolk’s Family and Community Team were also shortlisted for the Family Work Project of the Year, after stepping up significantly in response to the Covid-19 pandemic delivering a wide range of therapeutic support, counselling and mental health services, continuing to work in family homes providing support and helping families with homeschooling.  

The team have delivered over 7,000 hours of support through rapid response/return alone, supporting 393 families in crisis.  

Additionally, they have worked hard to continue to house and support single parents in our Umbrella services, providing a safe and secure environment for their children providing additional support, food parcels, additional parenting support and ensuring the best opportunity to sustain change. 

They have also offered both online, and face to face counselling to over 410 individual’s as well as mental health services for children/young people aged 4 -25, offering 75 1-1 sessions for children and 119 sessions with parents.  

In order to reach the final, the E-Learning Service, Harriet and the Family and Community Team are asking the public and their supporters to vote using this link.

Voting closes on August 13th and the winners will be announced at the Youth Matters Awards in London on November 5th. 

Local people helped raise much needed funds for YMCA Norfolk by taking part in a mammoth virtual Sleep Easy event on Friday March 26, vital funds from which will go towards tackling the root causes of youth homelessness. 

Local people including individuals, families, local businesses and church groups took part in the event, which saw individuals across the country sleeping anywhere but their beds to raise awareness of the thousands of young people who are made homeless each year.  

The event itself looked a little different to previous years, as COVID-19 has not just had an impact on homelessness services but on fundraising as well. Traditionally an event that brings lots of the community together in one place, this year’s Sleep Easy challenged fundraiser’s creativity as streets and outdoor venues were replaced by bathtubs, kitchen floors, warehouses and gardens. 

The money raised will be used to support YMCA Norfolk’s services for children and young people.  

Susie Knights, Marketing & Fundraising Manager of YMCA Norfolk said:  

“We’re absolutely thrilled with the success of this year’s Sleep Easy and can’t thank everyone enough for participating, donating and nominating – you are all incredible!  

“As a year, 2020 was more challenging than anyone could ever have anticipated, but one overwhelming positive that emerged was the power of community and the difference that can make to people’s lives. 

“Thanks to the support received we can now help even more vulnerable young people and support them to realise their full potential. One night really can make a lifetime of difference.” 

Jessica Sprouse, 23, participant of Sleep Easy 2021, said:

“The experience was more challenging than I expected, and I was truly struck by the physical and emotional toll of just one night of sleeping uncomfortably.

“It has made me reflect on how exhausting it must be for those faced with multiple nights on the streets, who unlike me do not have the option to return to a safe and comfortable bed.

“I am really glad I took part, not only to help raise money for this important cause, but because it has made me consider the harsh reality faced by other young people who are experiencing homelessness.”

Judy Bailey, Events Officer of YMCA Norfolk, who also participated in the Sleep Easy, said:  

“No matter how cold and uncomfortable it was we knew it was only for one night. For anyone having to face the reality of getting through a day with nowhere to go and then sleep rough again at night is overwhelming.  

“Knowing the money we raised will mean YMCA Norfolk can continue to offer help to vulnerable young people in the county was really motivating.” 

YMCA Norfolk has operated in the county since 1856 housing over 400 people each year supporting them towards independent living. 

For more information on Sleep Easy 2021 visit https://www.ymcanorfolk.org/get-involved/sleep-easy/ 

The Rt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich, was welcomed on Thursday 25 March to dedicate and commission the brand-new YMCA Centre on Aylsham Road as one of the first visitors to the building since its recent completion. 

The visit signifies the culmination of YMCA Norfolk’s ambitious project to bring a multi-purpose Community Hub to the city, which commenced in 2019 after planning approval and financial support was granted by Norfolk County Council.

Tim Sweeting, YMCA Norfolk Chief Executive, said:

“It was a fantastic privilege to show Bishop Graham around our new centre alongside our President, General the Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL, and Lady Philippa Dannatt, Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk.

“Our new building is one of which we are extremely proud and are beyond excited to open its doors to the public, to share YMCA’s community-enhancing mission with members of the Norwich and Norfolk community. 

“We are confident that our nursery, cafe, soft play and staff offices will bring an abundance of hope and a sense of community to the area – a vision shared by all staff and supporters of YMCA Norfolk.”

Bishop Graham was met by Tim (CEO) and Phillip Macdonald (Chair of Trustees), alongside Lord and Lady Dannatt to be given a tour of the purpose-built facilities – including Muddy Puddles Nursery, a 90-place Ofsted registered nursery, which officially opens on 12 April. 

The nursery will provide a mix of funded and non-funded places to ensure that families from less advantaged backgrounds are able to enjoy the childcare facilities, helping YMCA Norfolk to fulfil the mission of the project to bring a long-lasting and sustainable presence to support the local community in this under-resourced area of the city.

As part of the Bishop Graham’s visit, he was among the first to see the newly installed Explorers Soft Play Centre, designed for children to enjoy playing in a safe area adjacent to the community-focused café, Williams’ Kitchen. 

Bishop Graham said: “It was my delight to dedicate YMCA Norfolk’s new community hub this morning. May it flourish as it demonstrates the love of Jesus in supporting young people and families to build firm foundations and experience life in all its abundance.”

The Café forms the centre of the Hub, which visitors will enter into directly, intended to provide a welcoming and safe space for all members of the community – where they can enjoy high-quality food and drinks. In addition, the Hub is the new base for the YMCA Norfolk offices, enabling staff members and the management team to also be based on-site.

During the visit, Bishop Graham and Lord and Lady Dannatt were able to meet and discuss the potential impact of the building in the local community with staff members who have played in key role in enabling this project to go ahead.

Full Covid-19 restrictions were in place to ensure everyone’s safety during the visit.