YMCA GROW partners

The National GROW Programme has been working with a number of YMCAs, either alone or in local partnerships, supporting the development of employment or volunteering opportunities for current and former serivce users.

Read below about some of the YMCAs working with GROW to develop opportunities for current and former service users:

South London YMCA has been instrumental in the setting up and continuing success of the London Client Employment Partnership. The partnership is made up of London agencies committed to working together to provide user employment opportunities. Read a short news item on the SLYMCA website about their involvement in the partnership.

South London YMCA provides a range of accommodation based services, including specialist hostels for young people leaving care, women and children fleeing from domestic violence and a project for those recovering from alcohol and drug abuse which includes a floating support service. It also has an innovative community based scheme for 16-18 year olds, where the organisation works with and supports Community Hosts who provide a home and support, helping the young people make the transition to independence and their full potential.

Liverpool YMCA

Another YMCA involved in a local partnership is Liverpool YMCA which has been a key player in the setting up and development of the Merseyside Client Employment Partnership. This brings together a number of agencies in the Merseyside area committed to working together on client empolyment issues. The Chief Executive of Liverpool YMCA chairs this group. Liverpool YMCA offers residential and support services and can accommodate up to 70 people in 40 en-suite rooms and 30 self-contained flats.

In the West Midland's region, Birmingham YMCA is part of an emerging partnership of agencies in Birmingham committed to user employment. The partnership aims to develop new opportunities for clients to gain employment in the agencies represented by the Partnership. Birmingham YMCA works with a range of people, especially young people, and offers:

over 160 units of supported accommodation to people who have been homeless, helping them to live independently
affordable childcare from four nurseries, trying to give children the very best start in life
out-of-school clubs, holiday playschemes and youth clubs for older children
community facilities for hire, and a music studio
low-cost membership health and fitness studio

Birkenhead YMCA

Birkenhead YMCA already employ people with an experience of homelessness in their social business and provide volunteering opportunities for current clients. Nighel Hughes, Chief Executive, estimates that approximately 10% of Birkenhead YMCA's staff have an experience of homelessness.

Birkenhead YMCA provides supported accommodation for 56 homeless people.

Crewe YMCA

Crewe YMCA are committed to user employment and currently have 5 former YMCA residents working in 4 departments under the Future Jobs Fund.

Crewe YMCA offers affordable housing at their 55 bed Foyer which provides accommodation with individual support, assistance with resettlement, on-site training and job search facilities.

Grimsby Central YMCA

Grimsby YMCA is committed to the principles of client employment and keen to increase the opportunities they can offer. Read these success stories of ex-residents now employed within the organisation.

Grimsby Central YMCA provides supported housing for 98 clients in a 67-bed hostel and 26-unit Foyer as well as a new five-client Community Housing Project.

Leicester YMCA

Leicester YMCA provides a range of services for young people and homeless people in the city of Leicester and is committed to helping young people get jobs, including helping their residents to gain NVQs and employment within the YMCA.

The organisation manages accommodation for 93 young people in three projects, as well as running the Advice & Support Centre (YASC), a drop in centre for homeless people. Leicester YMCA runs a professional theatre, provides education and sports opportunities and engages in work with children.

North Staffs YMCA

North Staffs YMCA provides accommodation and support to young people in Stoke on Trent and is committed to the principles of user employment.