LATEST NEWS

YMCA Norfolk have announced the launch of their free online parental wellbeing programme, shaped to support parents who gave birth during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Starting August 16^th 2021 and running through until June 2022, the families and community team have tailored blocks of 6-week online workshops around the needs of post-natal parents and new families.

The programme kicks off with baby massage sessions, with classes running every Monday 1.15-2pm and hosted by Little Dots Norwich. Parents will have the opportunity to learn massage stroke techniques and practice baby massage alongside professionals in an informal, casual online setting.

Continuing with the wellbeing theme, parents are welcome to join YMCA Norfolk and Little Dots for 6-weeks of Baby Yoga, launching 27^th September. The online programme includes gentle body strokes, mini twists and stretches, swings and dips, singing and rhymes, massage, and relaxation, stretching the whole body and helping babies to experience different body positions.

The programme came about after staff at YMCA Norfolk identified a need for support among parents who missed out on the regular perinatal support provided – due to the pressures on the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marie Whiteland, Families Senior Engagement Worker at YMCA Norfolk, said:

“The YMCA recognises that the pandemic has been particularly tough on pregnant women and new families.  Health fears, combined with several lock downs and restrictions has led to social isolation and an increase in anxiety for many.  When we found out about the Norfolk Community Foundation Peri-natal, Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund we instantly knew that we wanted to get involved.”

Further online classes running into the new year include the likes of ‘Calm, Confident birth and beyond’ and ‘the practical peri-natal guide for new families.’ All classes are relaxed and easy to follow with weekly reviewal as well time for informal parent discussion.

The overall aim of the programme is to make perinatal support as accessible as possible following a difficult year for parents and to help new families to think about postnatal preparation.

YMCA Norfolk staff want to challenge post-natal taboo’s and ‘get real’ about the challenges ahead. Engagement workers will work with parents to determine the way best way ask for help post-birth, how to tackle relationship difficulties, how to manage social media pressures and as well as other barriers of positive parental wellbeing that have been identified.

Marie added:

“We have tailored most of our support to be online so whatever life throws at us, we can carry on supporting our community.  We strive to deliver many online forums to discuss everything peri-natal, including baby growth and development, Mother and Father mental health, CBT techniques to combat negative and worrying thoughts, financial advice and much more. 

“We are keen for families not to miss out on peri-natal classes so we have worked in partnership with many local businesses to offer courses in baby massage, baby yoga and buggy exercises.

“We want to welcome babies to be babies, so please do not be concerned about class times coinciding with sleep or feed times, or your baby crying during the session.”

All classes are free to attend. To book a class or for further details, please email Marie on marie.whiteland@ymcanorfolk.org

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. 

YMCA Norfolk are thrilled to announce that they have appointed John Lee as their new CEO, following a rigorous recruitment process by the charity’s Board of Trustees last week.

John, who is based in Norfolk, currently works with Spurgeons Norwich Connect where he set up, led and tested the pioneering “Whole Picture, Whole Family” approach to domestic abuse – a national pilot facilitating direct responses to the voice of victims.

John joins YMCA Norfolk with a wealth of experience within Norfolk’s third sector – having previously worked as the Head of Services and Quality at the Matthew Project, leading their work with young people and veterans affected by substance misuse. At the Matthew Project his role included governance, risk management and safeguarding.

While at Norfolk Family Carers, John set up Norfolk’s first Young Adult Carers service supporting young people to achieve their goals while providing unpaid care for a family member.

John commented on his new CEO appointment: “At a time when the challenges young people and their families face are increasing, the mission of YMCA Norfolk to enable the transformation of young people is absolutely vital. The barriers to young people and families accessing housing, education and employment support have increased due to Covid-19. 

“I am honoured to lead YMCA Norfolk’s response to breaking down the barriers which hinder young people from reaching their full potential. YMCA Norfolk has an incredible legacy over the last 175 years and most recently under the leadership of Tim Sweeting.

I look forward to working with the team and building on this legacy to ensure that young people have a hope filled future.”

John is passionate about breaking down the barriers for young people and families accessing support and enabling them to reach their full potential.  

He has previously served as a trustee for YMCA Norfolk between 2015 – 2018, where he took on the role of governance lead for safeguarding. He is actively involved in the life of his local church.

Philip Macdonald, who led the recruitment process on behalf of the board of trustees, commented: “As a Board of Trustees, we are very excited to have appointed John Lee to lead the YMCA forward in this next season. His broad range of skills and passion to make a difference to the lives of young people shone through in an intensive selection process involving a national field of candidates.

“There are huge pressures on Norfolk’s young people and families, and the YMCA is needed more than ever to support their wellbeing as we emerge from lockdown. With this key appointment, we are confident that we will be in a great position to make a difference at this critical time.”

John will work alongside YMCA Norfolk’s board of trustees and directors, as well as over 100 staff members, to lead and develop the charity which has experienced a period of exciting growth in recent years – allowing them to expand their services and increase the impact of operations.

Despite the Coronavirus pandemic, YMCA Norfolk demonstrated a year of unprecedented progress through the opening of its brand-new community hub on Aylsham Road, Norwich.

The multi-service facility has already proven to be a huge success with the local community, offering a 90-place Ofsted registered nursery alongside Explorers Soft Play and Williams’ Kitchen – praised as a much-needed asset to the local area.

Tim Sweeting, current CEO of YMCA Norfolk, will be taking up the position of Diocesan Secretary with the Norwich Diocesan Board of Finance (NDBF) in September this year.

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.