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Young people, volunteers and staff were recognised for their achievements at YMCA Norfolk’s Annual Celebration and Pride of YMCA Norfolk Awards on Thursday 15 October.

Held at The Space in Norwich, the event celebrated inspiring stories of resilience, personal growth and community impact, while also launching the charity’s 170th anniversary year and a new £170,000 fundraising appeal.

Throughout the evening, young people shared how YMCA Norfolk had helped them rebuild confidence, continue their education, improve their wellbeing and develop the skills needed to live independently.

Over the past year, YMCA Norfolk provided a safe home for 310 children, families and young people, supported 201 people through its Life and Work Ready programme and delivered therapeutic support to 888 young people, with 80% reporting improved wellbeing.

The annual Pride of YMCA Norfolk Awards recognised achievements in volunteering, education, personal growth and independent living. Award winners included Horsford OUTPOST Community Management Committee (Volunteer of the Year), Sepher Belham (Young Volunteer of the Year), Amelia McIntosh (Learner of the Year), Leah King (Personal Growth Award), Jessica Pitcher (Tenant of the Year), Ben Millington (Empowering Award) and Caleb Kelly, who received the Richard Jarrold Achievement Award.

The event also marked the launch of Belonging Through Time: YMCA at 170, a heritage project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project will explore YMCA Norfolk’s history through exhibitions, oral histories, podcasts and community storytelling, with local people invited to share memories and artefacts from the charity’s past.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, YMCA Norfolk has launched its 170 Years Strong: A Place to Belong appeal, aiming to raise £170,000 to support vulnerable young people across Norfolk. Funds raised will help provide accommodation, wellbeing support, education and mentoring opportunities for young people facing homelessness, isolation and other challenges.

John Lee, Chief Executive of YMCA Norfolk, said:

“Tonight is a reminder of what success really looks like. The young people we celebrate are achieving incredible things, and YMCA Norfolk’s role is to create opportunities, encourage them and empower them to flourish. The achievements recognised tonight are a testament to their resilience, determination and potential.

As we celebrate 170 years of YMCA Norfolk, we reflect on the lives transformed across generations. More importantly, we look to the future. We want to create more homes and more opportunities for young people across Norfolk. Through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to helping young people thrive, I believe the best YMCA Norfolk stories are still ahead of us.”

To find out more about the appeal or make a donation, visit: YMCA Norfolk 170th Anniversary Appeal – YMCA Norfolk

YMCA Norfolk Youth Ambassador Seb, recently joined fellow Youth Ambassador Jess from YMCA North Staffordshire on a visit to Downing Street, where they delivered an open letter to the Prime Minister on behalf of young people supported by YMCA services across the country.

The letter, written by YMCA resident Katie, calls on the Government to back YMCA’s ambitious vision of creating 10,000 new supported homes for young people. More than 1,400 YMCA supporters added their names to the campaign, highlighting the urgent need for safe and affordable housing for young people facing homelessness.

After making their way through the famous black doors of Number 10, Seb and Jess handed the letter to Downing Street staff. While neither the Prime Minister nor the well-known resident Larry the Cat were available to receive it in person, YMCA hopes the message will lead to meaningful action in the months ahead.

For Katie, who lives in YMCA affordable accommodation in Milton Keynes, the campaign is deeply personal. Having experienced first-hand the difference stable housing can make, she wanted to ensure the voices of young people were heard at the highest level. Sadly, many young people across the UK are still without a safe place to call home.

Reflecting on the experience, Seb said:

“It was so important to hand in Katie’s open letter, as heartbreakingly, too many young people are facing homelessness, preventing them from accessing the opportunities they deserve and building the stability and future that everyone should have.”

While the letter may have been handed in, the campaigning doesn’t stop here. Across the UK, YMCA continues to work with young people, communities and decision-makers to tackle youth homelessness and create more supported housing opportunities. Together, we can help ensure that every young person has the foundation they need to build a brighter future.

If you, or anyone you know, is looking for housing support, visit Accommodation – YMCA Norfolk to find out more on how we can help.

A Fundraising Evening to Support Young People Across Norfolk

Local businesses, supporters and community members are invited to a night of entertainment, fundraising and celebration this October.

YMCA Norfolk is delighted to launch The Wonder of You, a special fundraising evening taking place on Saturday 10 October 2026 at the Holiday Inn Norwich North. The event will bring together supporters from across Norfolk for a memorable night of live entertainment, dining and fundraising, all in aid of helping vulnerable young people reach their full potential.

The event aims to raise vital funds to support YMCA Norfolk’s work with young people facing challenges including homelessness, mental health difficulties and barriers to employment and education.

Event Details

Guests attending The Wonder of You will enjoy a delicious three-course meal, alongside live entertainment from The Blue Sueders, Norfolk’s premier seven-piece Elvis tribute band. Hosted by popular local presenter Olly Day, the evening promises a vibrant atmosphere filled with music, laughter and community spirit.

As well as the live entertainment, attendees will have the opportunity to take part in a raffle and auction featuring a range of fantastic prizes and experiences. Every ticket purchased and every pound raised will help YMCA Norfolk continue providing safe accommodation, support services and opportunities for young people across the county.

Supporting Young People in Norfolk

Funds raised through The Wonder of You will directly support YMCA Norfolk’s ongoing work to empower young people and create brighter futures. Through housing, wellbeing support, employment programmes and personal development opportunities, YMCA Norfolk helps hundreds of young people each year build confidence, independence and resilience.

Events such as The Wonder of You play an important role in ensuring these essential services can continue to make a lasting difference in local communities.

Join Us for an Unforgettable Evening

YMCA Norfolk is encouraging individuals, local businesses and community groups to come together for what promises to be a fantastic evening while supporting a worthwhile cause.

Whether you’re looking for a fun night out, an opportunity to network with local businesses, or simply a chance to make a difference, The Wonder of You offers something for everyone.

For more information about the event and how to book tickets, click the button below

YMCA Norfolk refused to let young people wait for the support they needed.

Last week, YMCA Norfolk’s PTP project was named the winner of the inaugural Global Community Wellbeing Impact Award at the 21st YMCA World Council in Toronto, Canada, becoming the first organisation in the world to receive the honour. The project was selected ahead of strong competition from projects in Australia, Singapore and the United States.

Through its Professional Therapeutic Pathway (PTP), funded by the Norfolk & Suffolk Integrated Care Board, YMCA Norfolk has reduced mental health waiting times for children and young people from more than 12 months to under 55 days, offering more than 60 different pathways to wellbeing. Since 2023, the programme has changed more than 1,200 young lives.

The award celebrates projects that make an exceptional contribution to improving wellbeing in their communities.

Judges praised PTP’s innovative approach to reducing waiting times and its commitment to providing holistic, relationship-based care that supports young people and their families.

With an average of 80% of young people reporting improved wellbeing following support, the programme has become a powerful example of how flexible, person-centred approaches can transform access to mental health services and improve outcomes for young people.

Carlos Madjri Sanvee, Secretary General of World YMCA, said“The World YMCA Impact Awards honour some of the very best of YMCAs’ work all over the world. We received many high-quality submissions across the four pillars of our global strategy, Vision 2030, and YMCA Norfolk came out a very deserved winner under Community Wellbeing. The Therapeutic Pathways project perfectly illustrates what YMCA does – it transforms lives – and how we all loved what John Lee said when he received the award that ‘The YMCA is a place of hope and healing” 

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs Felipe Paullier said at the awards ceremony. “I want to congratulate you, not just for what you have achieved, but for the choices you make every day, to serve.  Trust has to be earned locally year after year, and this is the way that the YMCA has earned its trust. The work that you in the YMCA lead is a genuine inspiration for what we in the UN are trying to achieve on the global level”

John Lee, Chief Executive of YMCA Norfolk, said:

“This award is international recognition of the difference being made here in Norfolk. We are incredibly proud to be the first organisation to receive the Global Community Wellbeing Impact Award.

It reflects the outstanding work of our PTP team and therapists, and exemplifies the shared values, quality and commitment that run throughout YMCA Norfolk.

YMCA Norfolk has been recognised not just for delivering therapy, but for our belief in relationships, supporting families, seeing the whole person and never giving up on a young person. It is hugely encouraging to see those values recognised on the world stage.”

The award was presented at the YMCA World Council in Toronto (19–25 July 2026), the largest gathering of the global YMCA movement. More than 1,300 delegates from over 100 YMCAs worldwide attended the event, making this recognition a significant achievement on an international stage. 

As temperatures continue to rise, many of us are feeling the effects of the hot weather.

We’re sleeping with the windows open, running fans day and night, and searching for the coolest room in the house. Even with these comforts, the heat can leave us feeling exhausted, irritable and overwhelmed.

Now imagine facing that same heat with nowhere to go.

For people experiencing homelessness, or living in temporary accommodation, a heatwave is more than an inconvenience, it can be dangerous. There may be no cool place to escape to, no fan, no cold drink waiting in the fridge and no easy access to the basics that many of us take for granted.

The Hidden Dangers of Hot Weather

When we think about severe weather and homelessness, our minds often turn to freezing winter nights. However, extreme heat can pose just as many risks.

Long periods spent outdoors can increase the likelihood of dehydration, heat exhaustion and severe sunburn. Accessing drinking water, keeping medications cool, finding shade and getting adequate rest can all become significant challenges during a heatwave.

For those living on the streets, every day can become a struggle simply to stay safe and well.

Small Acts of Kindness Can Make a Big Difference

The good news is that helping someone during hot weather doesn’t always require a financial donation.

Simple acts of kindness can have a real impact on a person’s wellbeing and safety.

You could:

• Offer a bottle of water.
• Share spare sunscreen.
• Give away a hat or other sun protection you no longer need.
• Take a moment to check on someone you regularly see and ask if they’re okay.
• Signpost someone to local support services or public spaces where they can cool down.
• Contact emergency services if someone appears seriously unwell or in immediate danger.

These small gestures can provide comfort, dignity and, in some cases, prevent a medical emergency.

Looking Out for One Another

We understand that extreme weather affects everyone. Looking after yourself and your family can feel challenging enough when temperatures soar.

But if you’re able to, we encourage you to take a moment to think about those around you who may be facing even greater difficulties.

A kind word, a bottle of water or a simple check-in can make someone feel seen and supported at a time when they may feel invisible.

How YMCA Norfolk Is Helping

At YMCA Norfolk, we work every day to support vulnerable people across our communities. Through accommodation, support services and opportunities for personal development, we help individuals experiencing homelessness build safer and more positive futures.

However, we cannot do this alone.

Whether you choose to donate, volunteer, fundraise or simply help raise awareness of the challenges people face during extreme weather, your support helps us continue our work and reach those who need us most.

Together, we can make sure that nobody is forgotten during this heatwave.

Today, YMCA Norfolk is announcing a £249,808 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to save, share and celebrate our 170 years of social history, ensuring this important heritage is preserved and made accessible for future generations.

Founded in Norwich in 1856, YMCA Norfolk has supported local communities for nearly two centuries. They’ve stood alongside young people through wars, the Great Flood of 1912, economic hardship, a global pandemic and profound social change. Despite this long and significant history, much of YMCA Norfolk’s social heritage remains undocumented and at risk of being lost.

The project, Belonging Through Time – YMCA Norfolk at 170, will uncover hidden histories, untold stories and unsung heroes from the charity’s past. By capturing the voices and lived experiences of former and current service users, staff and volunteers, the project will create a lasting legacy to share the impact YMCA Norfolk has had throughout the county.

Without this funding, large parts of YMCA Norfolk’s history, much of which exists only in personal memories, could disappear. This project will safeguard their heritage and transform access to it, enabling people across Norfolk to connect with YMCA Norfolk’s longstanding service within the community.

Over two years, the project will employ dedicated heritage staff and involve both the community and children, young people and families in shaping and co-producing its outputs. It will deliver three public exhibitions across Norwich, Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn, alongside a ten-episode podcast series and documentary-style video capturing stories from past and present. A 170-year heritage book will be produced and distributed across the county, complemented by a heritage walk in Norwich that will highlight key locations. Educational resource packs will be distributed to primary schools, while photographs, artefacts and oral histories will be collected, digitised and preserved as part of a lasting archive. Together, these outputs will ensure YMCA Norfolk’s heritage is both safeguarded and widely accessible.

Young people currently engaging within YMCA Norfolk’s services, particularly those who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion, will play an active role in researching, collecting and interpreting YMCA Norfolk’s heritage, developing skills in storytelling, oral history, research and digital media. This approach will ensure the heritage is not only preserved, but brought to life in inclusive and meaningful ways.

The project will explore key themes from YMCA Norfolk’s history, including how they’ve created safe spaces for young people to belong, responded to times of crisis, continuously adapted to social change, and how all services have been shaped by youth voice. Together, these stories will demonstrate how the charity has continually evolved to meet young people’s needs throughout Norfolk whilst fostering belonging and resilience.

In the long term, the project will celebrate and strengthen pride in YMCA Norfolk’s 170-year legacy, deepen community connections, and ensure its rich social history is preserved and shared as a lasting asset for future generations

Susie Knights, Marketing and Fundraising Manager at YMCA Norfolk, said:
“This is an exciting project where we will unearth untold stories and the social history of YMCA Norfolk, which has played a significant role in the community for 170 years. We are looking forward to engaging with people across Norfolk to hear their stories and better understand how we have continually adapted to support young people in an ever-changing world. We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can preserve our heritage while inspiring future generations.”

Community members, former residents, volunteers and staff are encouraged to get involved by sharing their stories and taking part in project activities. If you have a story you’d like to share, please visit 170 Stories for 170 Years – YMCA Norfolk 

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.

Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.

heritagefund.org.uk

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund

Further information

For further information, images and interviews please contact Susie Knights at YMCA Norfolk at Susie.knights@ymcanorfolk.org