Catie has shown outstanding dedication and compassion, and made an incredible difference to local families through her voluntary work with YMCA Worcestershire.

As a young mother of two, Catie understands first-hand the joys and challenges many parents experience. Motivated by a desire to give something back to her community, she began volunteering at weekly Stay and Play sessions, a role that has transformed the experience of countless families attending the group.

Catie is often the first person to welcome parents through the door, creating a warm, inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable, offering reassurance, practical advice and a listening ear to those feeling isolated or overwhelmed.

Recognising that local parents were struggling to access baby weighing services, Catie took the initiative to secure weighing scales for the group, removing barriers and increasing the value of the service.

Catie has also promoted the sessions throughout the community, helping attendance grow significantly, and regularly signposts parents to nurseries, health services and additional support.

Catie exemplifies everything YMCA stands for.

Dean has been a dedicated volunteer with Padley@YMCA Derbyshire for the past four years, demonstrating exceptional commitment, reliability, and personal growth. At just 25 years old, Dean has overcome many barriers in his life, yet he has consistently chosen to give back to others, becoming an invaluable member of the YMCA family.

Dean has supported multiple areas of the organisation, including reception at YMCA Derbyshire’s main campus, where he helps welcome and assist 87 residents, over 50 staff members, and numerous visitors each day. He has also volunteered within the warehouse and become one of the charity shop’s most trusted key holders. No task is ever too much for Dean, and his positive attitude, reliability, and willingness to learn have made him someone colleagues can depend on.

When he first joined, Dean lacked confidence and avoided customer facing roles. Through determination, he gradually stepped outside his comfort zone. Today, he thrives serving customers on the till and representing the charity with warmth and professionalism.

After four years of dedication, Dean is ready to take the next step into paid employment, but his promise to continue volunteering reflects his loyalty and belief in YMCA.

Maria has been an exceptional YMCA DownsLink Group volunteer for 18 months, generously giving her time, creativity and lived experience to support young people’s wellbeing.

Drawn to YMCA through a friend and inspired by the organisation’s values, Maria quickly became a passionate and reliable member of the youth engagement programme. Volunteering around 10 hours each month alongside her Psychology and Business degree, she travels back from London to attend sessions, demonstrating remarkable commitment.

Working closely with YMCA DownsLink Group’s youth engagement worker, Maria helped shape awareness campaigns on topics including anxiety, neurodiversity and exam stress, contributing authentic content including social media reels, posters, blogs and awareness materials that helped YMCA reach more young people, especially on Instagram.

Maria also supported YMCA DownsLink Group’s schools project, helping students develop and present ideas to improve mental health and wellbeing within their schools, encouraging pupils to find their voice.

Maria volunteered to feature in a promotional film showcasing YMCA’s youth work. She consistently goes above and beyond, embodying the values of YMCA and demonstrating the powerful difference one young person can make.

At just 16, Sophie Deegan-Brooks arrived at YMCA Cheshire after spending two weeks sleeping in a train station. Eleven years later, she walks back through those same doors every Monday, not for support, but to create hope, belonging and possibility for others.

Sophie first came to YMCA Cheshire in 2014, rebuilding her confidence and discovering the difference one supportive person can make. Today, she has become that person for young residents facing homelessness, isolation, and uncertainty.

Every week, Sophie volunteers with YMCA Cheshire’s Let’s Talk session, supporting 6-8 residents to find their voice through interactive activities, discussion and peer support, helping them build confidence and develop communication skills.

Sophie helps prepare activities, welcomes anxious residents, and uses her lived experience to inspire others, helping residents believe their circumstances do not define their future.

Health and Wellbeing Coach Mike Roberts said Sophie brings “insightful knowledge, opinions and potential solutions to our residents’ own personal journey.

Sophie is now studying psychology and counselling, preparing to apply for medical school to become a psychiatrist.

Aisha’s journey with YMCA Derbyshire is one of courage, resilience, and remarkable personal growth. She moved into YMCA Derbyshire’s campus the day after her 18th birthday, straight from a children’s home, after being unable to find suitable accommodation locally. Moving to Derby city centre was frightening, particularly as Aisha was managing anxiety and panic attacks.

At first, campus life was difficult, but Aisha engaged positively with staff and support sessions, progressing into Y-Steps move on accommodation and developing the confidence needed for her next steps.

Aisha became involved in YMCA’s Past:Present:Work programme, where staff recognised her caring nature, and began studying at YMCA Key College, completing Level 1 Health and Social Care before progressing onto Level 2 Childcare. She completed a placement with Y-Kidz, where her confidence grew to the point where she could lead activities and manage behaviour, securing employment with YMCA Y-Kidz.

Aisha now plans to study Child and Adolescent Health at university in September 2026, determined to use her lived experience to help others.

At just 18 years old, Jack’s life changed dramatically when they became a full-time wheelchair user. Alongside other challenges, this sudden transition left them without suitable housing, leading them to YMCA Brunel Group’s Christopher House.

Adjusting to life in a wheelchair did not slow Jack down. Soon after moving in, Jack began an 8-month marathon training journey, training on local roads in Yeovil alongside strength training and swimming. A few months ago, Jack broke a Guinness World Record, becoming the fastest to complete a half-marathon in a non-racing chair, beating the previous record by 16 minutes. Jack then participated in the London Marathon, raising £1,520 for WheelPower, and has since competed in Oxford, Exeter, Bristol and Coventry.

These achievements have not been without struggle, with Jack continuing to manage health concerns and hospital appointments. Despite this, Jack is studying a Physics degree, passing their first year with Distinction, and has started volunteering for Somerset NHS Trust while working towards a British Sign Language Level 1 qualification.

When Sam Sandland first walked through the doors of YMCA Cheshire, she was a young person searching for stability, support and a place to rebuild.

Before YMCA, Sam described her life as “pretty toxic”. Moving between family homes and facing uncertainty, she lacked the stable foundation every young person deserves. Although her first stay in 2016 provided safety, Sam admits she was not ready to fully embrace the support available.

Her turning point came when she returned in 2020, pregnant with her first child and struggling to secure accommodation. She focused on improving her mental health, accepting support and becoming the mother she wanted to be, rebuilding her confidence, securing her own home, and returning to employment. She later volunteered before becoming a full-time member of staff.

As Customer Service Officer, Sam is the first welcoming face many people see, supporting residents with kindness and understanding. Her manager says: “I see residents walk through the same doors Sam once did, and now Sam is the person welcoming them.”

Yewande has been living in YMCA accommodation since summer 2024 following a breakdown in family relationships. During this time, she has proven to be an exceptional resident, demonstrating resilience and determination while overcoming a range of personal and health-related challenges.

From the beginning, Yewande has shown a consistently positive attitude and strong commitment to personal growth, actively engaging in activities within the Community Hub focused on building life skills and independence.

Yewande is also an active member of the Youth Forum, contributing thoughtful ideas and fresh perspectives, ensuring the voices of young people are represented in the development of services.

She volunteers as a Youth Mentor, supporting new residents as they settle into accommodation, drawing on her own experiences to offer empathy and reassurance during what can be a difficult transition. She also dedicates time to volunteering with another youth organisation.

Academically, after studying Health and Social Care at Suffolk New College, Yewande has secured a place at the University of Suffolk to study Psychology and Criminology, working towards her ambition of becoming a youth psychiatrist.

Over the last year, Hannah Roberts has led One YMCA’s Dignify project’s research team, forming a school survey that has captured over 10,000 young voices from across the country, compiling a research report and using children’s voices to influence government policy to keep children safe online.

Hannah has represented Dignify at Parliament, working with the Pornography Harms Coalition to support major amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill to reduce harmful online content accessible to children. She took the initiative in approaching Sky News to secure a major feature on the harms of online pornography, viewed by millions.

Hannah has inspired many to join Dignify’s cause through creative social media campaigns, and helped design and deliver a Student Ambassador Programme, empowering students to drive whole-school culture change through a peer-led Healthy Relationship Charter. She also led the Dignify Parent Guide, launched on Sky News, to equip parents for conversations about online harms.

Hannah has led workshops at YMCA England & Wales’ National Conference, European Unify in Budapest, and Youth Unify in Munich.

Alice Jones and Kaitlynn Dolbear have demonstrated exceptional commitment to creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for young people at Airplay. Working together, they led a decorating project during Pride Month to celebrate gender diversity, sexual orientation and the importance of embracing personal identity, creating a lasting visual display that will continue to promote inclusion throughout the year.

Their campaign has helped establish Airplay as a space where LGBTQ+ young people know they are safe, valued and accepted. By creating visible symbols of allyship alongside genuine personal support, Alice and Kaitlynn have ensured inclusion is reflected not only in the environment but also in everyday interactions.

Both young women consistently model what it means to be an ally, encouraging others to be proud of who they are, leading positive conversations, and challenging harmful comments with maturity and respect. Rather than escalating conflict, they educate their peers, building a culture of kindness and acceptance.

Louisa is a passionate advocate for children and young people’s mental health, campaigning at local and regional levels through her work with YMCA DownsLink Group, the University of Sussex and the NHS.

Drawing on her own lived experience of being sight-impaired, dyslexic and navigating educational challenges, Louisa is committed to ensuring children with SEND or from lower socio-economic backgrounds can thrive.

During her four years volunteering with YMCA DownsLink Group, Louisa worked on a youth research project for the National Institute for Health and Care Research: Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex Academy, informing understanding of mental health challenges and strengthening partnerships with the West Sussex Mental Health Support Team.

At the University of Sussex’s Autism Community Research Network Sussex (ACoRNS), Louisa campaigned for fair access and inclusion for neurodiverse students, helping to create a sensory room for autistic people and contributing to research on its impact. She also challenged deficit-based approaches to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), helping to develop more person-centred resources. With the NHS, she has worked as a youth consultant on projects and hosted informational videos for young people.

Now working as a teaching assistant and about to begin teacher training, Louisa’s ambition is to inform future SEND policy.

Luqman believes young people experiencing homelessness should receive support and have the power to influence the systems designed to support them.

After moving from Ghana to the UK in 2019, Luqman understood what it meant to rebuild a life and navigate unfamiliar systems, shaping his commitment to ensuring every young person has stability, belonging, and a place to call home.

Starting at YMCA Cheshire in the maintenance team, Luqman built trusted relationships with residents, inspiring him to move into housing support in 2025 and become an advocate for change. He became a YMCA England & Wales Youth Ambassador, completing campaign training and supporting national campaigns tackling barriers faced by young people.

This included contributing to YMCA’s Make Work Pay campaign, to which the government has pledged changes.

Luqman continues this momentum through YMCA’s campaign for 10,000 affordable homes and amplified an open letter to the Prime Minister calling for action on youth housing.

Luqman also volunteers at weekly football sessions and organised a resident and staff BBQ.

Since joining YMCA Heart of England in May 2025, Ariana has demonstrated exceptional leadership and influence far beyond what would be expected of someone at such an early stage in their career.

Starting as PA to the Chief Executive and Governance Coordinator, Ariana quickly established herself as a trusted leader, earning promotion to Executive Office & Governance Manager within just over a year, supporting the organisation’s strategic leadership and governance.

Ariana played a key role in organisational achievements, leading the work that resulted in YMCA Heart of England achieving Trusted Standard Level 1, and supporting the submission that contributed to the organisation being recognised as YMCA of the Year.

As a Youth Ambassador, Ariana champions the voices of young people and the value of young leadership. She represented YMCA Heart of England at the UNIFY Conference in Budapest, and shared her leadership journey at the YMCA Leadership Conference, encouraging leaders to create opportunities for young people.

Her message was clear: leadership is not about position or age, but about purpose and commitment.

Hannah is an exceptional leader whose commitment and vision have made a lasting impact on YMCA DownsLink Group and on children and young people in the wider community.

Hannah joined YMCA as a youth research volunteer on the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex Academy, helping inform understanding of mental health challenges faced by young people, and strengthening partnerships with West Sussex Mental Health Support Team and East Sussex Public Health.

As a YMCA DownsLink Group Youth Ambassador, Hannah showed leadership through her vision for new content, including Instagram reels on exam stress, procrastination, and decision-making. Her video on coping with revision pressure was adopted by West Sussex County Council, who shared it online and at one of its events.

Hannah co-hosted YMCA DownsLink Group’s Mental Health Champions events for school students, planning the two-day events and writing and delivering a speech. She also led sessions in local schools, resulting in students introducing quiet rooms and reset breaks between lessons.

Hannah demonstrates leadership and empowers other children and young people.

Taylor is a looked-after young person with a disrupted home life. Despite her early years’ difficulties, Taylor has risen above those problems to become an inspirational leader for young people in a similar situation.

Young people in care can learn to thrive in independent accommodation via the House Project, a support project run by care leavers for care leavers. Taylor has been involved since 2023, rising through the ranks to Chair of the National House Project in 2025 and Champion this year, giving major public addresses to several hundred people at both the 2024 and 2025 conference, and addressing the Trustees.

Taylor has also been involved in the Co-Parenting board with Stoke Council and helped train Social Work Students at Staffordshire University.

With the support of the YES programme, Taylor obtained work at the Bet365 Stadium with Stoke City Football on match days, caring for young people in the family hub. She has recently secured a second job with the YMCA in Stoke as a Youth Ambassador, and has met with local employers to give them a young person’s perspective on supporting care leavers.

Brad has shown incredible resilience and determination on the inspiring journey he has undertaken to transform his life.

When Brad first came to YMCA Worcestershire, he was facing some of the most difficult challenges a young person can experience. Following a family breakdown, he was struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and was at serious risk of losing his home. With courage and determination, Brad committed to turning his life around, becoming sober and volunteering his time to help improve the accommodation, assisting with decorating and maintenance.

Brad progressed from volunteering into a sessional role before securing a full-time position within YMCA Worcestershire’s Maintenance and Administration team, becoming a valued member of staff who approaches every task with pride and professionalism.

By openly sharing his own experiences, Brad gives hope to young people facing similar struggles, helping them believe that recovery is possible and difficult circumstances do not have to define their future. In the eyes of YMCA Worcestershire, Brad truly embodies the values of YMCA.

Emma is a shining example of the values at the heart of YMCA North Staffordshire – protect, persevere, hope, and trust. She approaches every day, every resident, and every challenge with unrelenting positivity and is never unwilling to help, even if it is just lending a compassionate ear.

Many young people have been impacted by her unique sense of empathy and kindness.

Where others see immovable barriers, Emma sees new opportunities and continues to work towards her goals right until the end. Emma has brought her love of creative writing to the resident activity programme, pioneering the Storycraft initiative and holding regular writing sessions encouraging residents to express themselves through words.

One participant, who had never written and was too shy to have her work read, became the first volunteer to read her own piece out by the end of the programme.

Emma’s positive impact spreads across multiple departments, aiding in content production, writing videos, and working with the Young Leaders Podcast, developing her skills as a presenter.

Matt has inspired others through his resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to personal growth. As a care leaver, he has faced significant adversity, yet he has never allowed his circumstances to define him, consistently demonstrating a positive attitude and a passion for developing himself while supporting others.

Since moving into YMCA, Matt has fully embraced every opportunity available, becoming a role model for other young people. He has delivered life skills sessions, including cooking workshops, led youth club sessions creating a welcoming environment, and attended care leaver events, using his own experiences to ensure young people’s voices are heard. Matt has also attended the APPG twice to discuss youth affairs and give a voice to young people within parliament.

Now working as a Trainee Employment and Skills Coach, Matt mentors young people, supporting them with careers advice and employability skills. His lived experience enables him to build trust and connect meaningfully, giving young people confidence that positive outcomes are achievable

Rianna exemplifies outstanding commitment to improving the lives of young people. She joined YMCA DownsLink Group aged 22 as a project assistant, later becoming a support worker and then deputy manager at 25, reflecting her exceptional capability.

From her earliest days, Rianna demonstrated calmness and courage under pressure. Within weeks of starting, she managed a life-threatening incident involving a resident having severe seizures, coordinating emergency services while maintaining safety for others. She also supported a young person who suddenly lost her vision, staying with her for several hours until support was in place, playing a vital role in preserving her sight.

Rianna consistently handles complex, high-risk safeguarding work with professionalism. When working with young residents who had experienced FGM, she ensured interactions were trauma-informed, work recognised as good practice during an Ofsted inspection this year.

Rianna manages a team of six, supporting wellbeing while maintaining high standards of safeguarding and compliance, trusted by senior leaders and commissioners for her insight and judgement.

The last 12 months have been full of real growth and progress for YMCA Black Country Group, delivering meaningful, lasting change for young people and communities across the region.

YMCA Black Country Group has strengthened their housing pathway so young parents and families can stay within a trusted support system, while their Y-Living developments continue to grow, giving more young people access to safe accommodation. A dedicated Engagement Officer in supported housing has created more opportunities for residents to build confidence, including a residential trip to the Peak District bringing young people from across their nine sites together.

Their DWP Youth Hub in West Bromwich has gone from strength to strength, supporting over 300 mentees and welcoming more than 4,000 young people, now recognised as an exemplar model leading to expansion into Dudley. YMCA Black Country Group also launched the West Brom Youth Café, engaging over 85 young people in an area with very little youth provision.

The YMCA’s eight nurseries achieved a strong surplus despite recruitment challenges, and YMCA Black Country Group is proud to have achieved Investor in People Platinum status.

Over the past year, YMCA Cheshire has undergone a transformational journey focusing on preventing homelessness, creating opportunities, and building stronger communities.

Expanding beyond accommodation, they directly supported over 1,500 people through housing, domestic abuse, social prescribing, youth, family and community programmes, while creating over 21,700 wider community interactions through its social enterprises and community spaces. Across 274 homes, YMCA Cheshire supported 440 individuals, helping 130 residents move into independent accommodation and 43 into employment, education or training.

Through a £740,000 partnership with Cheshire East Council, the organisation transformed three previously unused blocks into Valley Brook Campus (150 flats), providing trauma-informed support for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

They expanded specialist services including Domestic Abuse support and Social Prescribing, with over 1,000 children and young people engaging through programmes including Afterschool & STEM Club.

Their community impact was recognised with GLO Café winning Best Community Café in Cheshire. Recognised as Investors in People Employer of the Year, YMCA Cheshire also grew its workforce by 93%.

YMCA DownsLink Group has achieved significant impact this year, on top of providing a safe home for 727 young people aged 16 to 25 and reaching 4,695 children and young people through mental health support and trusted advice.

They established themselves as a system leader. As a result of their influence, Brighton & Hove City Council strengthened its Homelessness Strategy to include a focus on young people, and they helped shape West Sussex’s Children First plan. They brought Sussex partners together at its World Homeless and Mental Health Day event, launching a Sussex youth manifesto setting out priorities to tackle challenges facing young people.

They substantially expanded their housing portfolio. In Hove, they successfully completed the transfer of £5 million in property assets, and in Eastbourne, opened two new accessible flats for disabled people facing homelessness. Through a continuous improvement effort, they achieved 100% landlord compliance across gas safety, fire risk assessments and fire alarms.

They also launched a new five-year strategy, refreshed their youth voice strategy, and achieved Ofsted’s Outcome 1 for their supported housing across West Sussex and Surrey.

In an incredible year, YMCA North Staffordshire proudly played a central role in the city’s centennial celebrations, leading a Guinness World Record for the World’s Biggest Cream Tea Party, engaging 15,003 people, and delivering One Big Stokie Day, bringing around 300 people to their campus for a day of activities.

YMCA North Staffordshire opened Hope Court, with 46 flats and a brand-new Youth Hub for young people to experience activities in a high-quality environment.

Throughout 2025 and 2026, they also hosted the YMCA CEOs conference, bringing together YMCAs from across the country, provided 68,096 nights of accommodation to vulnerable young people, and helped 48 NEET young people into employment through the YES programme. They helped launch the Future Ready Pledge, with almost 50 businesses signing up to help disadvantaged young people into employment, and had a footfall of 79,899 in their Activity Centre

YMCA North Staffordshire supported 528 people through their Families offer, and provided 6,106 food parcels through The Pantry, alongside 640 Hampers through their Christmas Hamper Campaign.

Housing & Life Ready work side by side to give young people more than just a place to stay, offering a proven pathway for those who’ve faced homelessness, trauma and instability to live independently. Together, they combine safe, stable housing with personalised coaching, life-skills development and support networks, unique to each young person’s strengths and potential.

Over the last 12 months, YMCA Norfolk has supported over 200 residents across 3 housing sites through positive activities, workshops and one-to-one coaching. Workshops focused on essential skills such as healthy living, cooking and money management, while wellbeing walks, creative activities and socials provided safe spaces to build soft skills and social confidence.

Last year, 80% of all residents moved on in a positive and planned way into independent living, increasing self-esteem and enabling young people to take control of their futures with confidence and hope.

One young person, supported through coaching, qualifications and mental health support, shared: “YMCA Norfolk has made a really big difference in my life… it has made me more confident and stable.”

This year, LandAid House celebrates its fifth anniversary, marking five years of changing lives and redefining what supported housing for young people can achieve. Every night, it provides a safe, secure and aspirational home to 146 young people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

Co-designed with young people, the scheme is recognised as a sector-leading project where residents’ voices and aspirations have shaped both the building and the support model, promoting dignity, wellbeing and personal growth.

A dedicated Pathways Team delivers personalised support, whilst a Progression Coach provides daily education, training and employment sessions to help residents achieve their goals. An innovative housing pathway model enables young people to progress through increasingly independent accommodation, building confidence and skills for sustainable independent living.

Residents benefit from facilities rarely associated with supported accommodation, including an on-site gym and access to VYBZ Youth Hub, offering a music studio, podcasting facilities and creative arts opportunities.

Five years on, LandAid House remains a beacon of innovation and excellence.

Thrive 16+ is YMCA Brunel Group’s commissioned supported housing service for vulnerable young people aged 16–25 across South and East Somerset. Every night, the project provides accommodation and support to 95 young people, many of whom are care leavers or have experienced significant adversity, trauma and instability.

What makes Thrive 16+ distinctive is its commitment to making young people feel at home, with over 70% telling us it feels like home. Every young person receives a warm welcome and a Welcome Pack worth over £130, including new bedding, towels and toiletries, helping them feel valued.

Young people typically stay around nine months, living in accommodation ranging from family-style houses to small foyer-style hostels. Support workers help them develop personalised support plans, access education, employment and training opportunities, and learn essential life skills.

In the last 12 months, 11 young people took up education opportunities, 11 took up employment, and 79 moved on positively into independent living.

Many former residents remain in touch long after leaving, returning years later to share their achievements.

In April 2025, YMCA Cheshire launched Valley Brook Campus, transforming three accommodation blocks (50 flats) that had stood empty for six years into a life-changing supported housing community tackling homelessness in Crewe.

The project responded to urgent local need. In early 2024, Crewe had an average of 12 people sleeping rough each night, many experiencing trauma, poor mental health, substance misuse and isolation.

Working with Cheshire East Council, YMCA Cheshire launched the Rough Sleeping Prevention Service at Valley Brook Campus through a five-year £740,000 service contract, alongside its own investment to create high-quality accommodation. Staff and volunteers contributed over 2,500 hours preparing the site.

Since opening, the campus has supported 282 individuals, with 83 people moving into stable accommodation and 31 leaving the service in employment. Its impact has contributed to an 80% reduction in rough sleeping in Crewe, from 12 people per night to just two.

Through strong partnerships with specialist agencies, residents receive wrap-around support addressing the root causes of homelessness, with a dedicated Move-On Coach supporting lasting independence.

Launched in 2023, Cresset Youth is a dynamic programme delivered by YMCA Trinity Group in Peterborough, encompassing performing arts, youth voice and year-round youth provision.

Through Youth Voice, young people can gain a formal qualification in Youth Voice & Leadership, develop social action projects such as a Youth Knife Crime Awareness Film, and engage with the Board of Trustees and Peterborough MP on governance.

Cresset Arts and Theatre School sees 60 young people attending regular music, dance and drama classes, with a full-scale musical giving 80 young performers the chance to learn from a professional creative team. Community Arts includes a Primary Dance Festival reaching 800+ children from 32 schools, and career development pilots giving 194 secondary students insight into theatre careers.

The Youth Hub offers open access provision for 200+ young people, co-designed by the Youth Voice panel.

In the last 12 months, Cresset Youth facilitated 740 hours of provision, enabling 12,037 engagements. 96% of young people said their confidence improved, and 100% felt a sense of belonging.

The Haven Youth Project has achieved strong outcomes this year, with over 500 unique young people engaged, showing clear demand and consistent attendance. Attendance has increased from an average of 7 young people per session to 37, due to the hard work of the team and young people working together to create a space they want to be in.

Many young people report feeling more confident, building friendships, and developing life skills such as communication and independence. One young person who initially struggled with anxiety and rarely left home is now confidently attending sessions and travelling independently.

What makes this project different is a genuine youth-led approach. Young people don’t just attend, they shape what happens, combining open-access youth work with targeted support in ways that feel natural and non-judgemental, from cooking and trips to mental health support in safe, trusted environments.

Staff and police note reductions in antisocial behaviour during session times, with young people consistently describing the project as a place where they feel safe, supported and can truly be themselves.

Every week, YMCA Go! opens its doors to young people who need somewhere to belong. Through six weekly youth clubs, detached youth work, holiday activities and life-skills opportunities, the National Lottery-funded programme has become a trusted lifeline for young people across Stoke-on-Trent.

Over the past 12 months, YMCA Go! reached 7,252 young people and families against a target of 3,117, with non-term activities achieving 190% of target. Two new youth clubs, created after young people said they had nowhere safe to go at weekends, have seen attendance increase by 129% and 300%.

After delivering the largest youth consultation Stoke-on-Trent has ever seen, involving more than 2,600 young people, a new Cookery Club now has a waiting list, and affordable 50p youth clubs provide meals and trusted adults that many families could not otherwise access.

One young person, first met by detached youth workers on a local park, gradually built trust and joined youth club. His parent shared: “He waits by his window every Friday night for the youth workers to show.” 100% of surveyed young people said they felt valued and respected.

Y-HUB has transformed from a single weekly youth club into a dynamic, youth-led project providing accessible support to young people across Swansea five days a week. Over the past 12 months, Y-HUB has directly supported 615 unique young people and engaged approximately 9,500 more through outreach, schools, and community events.

What makes Y-HUB innovative is its flexibility, with two dedicated outreach workers engaging young people in streets, schools and community spaces, building trusted relationships with those who may never access traditional services. Young people shape the project through the Y-HUB Youth Forum, influencing activities, food provision and future developments.

Through intensive one-to-one support, young people have been helped into education, employment and safer housing. One young person fleeing domestic abuse was supported to access housing and healthcare, eventually moving into secure accommodation and thriving independently.

Y-HUB’s outreach work at Park Tawe led to 46 new young people engaging with services and contributed to a significant reduction in antisocial behaviour. Young people consistently describe Y-HUB as a place where they feel safe, listened to and able to belong.

The BEAM Virtual Reality Young Carers Programme is an innovative project supporting young carers across Birmingham through a unique combination of immersive technology, youth work and wellbeing support.

Recognising young carers often experience isolation and stress, the programme was designed to provide a safe space where they can explore their identity, build resilience and strengthen their mental wellbeing.

Using the award-winning Virtual Decisions: Identity VR experience, young people are introduced to themes including mental health, peer pressure and decision-making in an engaging, accessible way.

The immersive experience acts as a catalyst for discussion, with participants taking part in structured group sessions led by YMCA Youth Workers, developing emotional literacy and coping skills.

Since launching, four full programme rounds have been delivered in secondary schools, supporting 19 young carers through the eight-week intervention, with several schools requesting rotating groups to benefit more young carers.

During Carers Week and Mental Health Awareness Week, VR wellbeing sessions benefited 74 pupils. Jim, a Year 8 student who had struggled to engage with staff for over eighteen months, spoke more in one session than throughout his entire time at secondary school.

YMCA East Surrey’s Challenge Events programme has been inspiring people to get physically active for over 25 years, creating lasting health and wellbeing benefits. Participants also raise around £100,000 every year for the YMCA Life Change Fund, helping deliver vital services for those in need.

In 2025 alone, 2,373 people took part in a YMCA challenge event, ranging from large-scale community events such as the Fun Run and Santa Run, to treks in the North Downs and UK mountains, and cycling challenges to Paris and Bruges.

A key strength is community focus, with events planned and organised by a dedicated volunteer Challenge Committee. YMCA residents and young people often take part alongside the wider community, with one participant sharing: “It was humbling to hear the stories of some of the young people taking part who had benefited from YMCA services.”

Derek and his daughter Dara progressed from novice cyclists to completing multi-day rides to Amsterdam and Le Mans, raising over £5,500. Funds raised have supported a mobile youth bus and new housing projects for young people.

The Community Meals Projects bring people together through food, connection, and belonging. Over the past 12 months, two complementary initiatives have improved wellbeing, reduced isolation, and created meaningful opportunities for young people to contribute to their communities.

At YMCA Key College, Catering students plan, prepare, and serve community meals in partnership with Sinfin Moor Church Community Centre, developing practical catering skills alongside confidence and teamwork. Many arrive with low self-esteem, and by preparing meals for real people, gain a sense of purpose.

One student reflected: “Making the community meals is something I never thought I would get the chance to do.” A peer mentoring model sees second-year students support newer learners, creating a sustainable cycle of learning.

Alongside this, YMCA Derbyshire hosts a monthly Community Meal at their Campus, home to 87 young residents each night, where local businesses volunteer to prepare meals, helping break down barriers and create intergenerational conversations, with young residents building relationships with older community members.

Together, these projects strengthen communities and create lasting positive change for people of all ages.

One YMCA’s Project Resilience provides invaluable health and wellbeing enrichment opportunities for supported housing residents, empowering them to improve both mental and physical wellbeing.

The programme offers activities suiting all needs and abilities, including supervised gym sessions, health walks, badminton and ten-pin bowling, supporting 637 individuals over the last three years, with 283 in the past year.

Project Resilience sessions help bring residents out of their rooms, integrating within their accommodation and the wider community. Football has become a leveller, bringing together older residents who have previously lived on the streets with young separated migrant children and care leavers, breaking down barriers to exercise and introducing new pathways to thrive.

From growing interest in weekly football training, Project Resilience Coordinator Dan has worked with other homelessness charities to arrange friendly games and tournaments, and secured a YMCA football kit.

One beneficiary said: “Having the new football kit makes us feel like a proper team! When I’m on the pitch, I forget about being homeless and I’m just playing football with my mates.”

Get On Board is an innovative YMCA leadership and governance development programme equipping young people with the skills, confidence and experience to become effective YMCA trustees. Funded by the Central and Anglia Trust Fund and delivered through a partnership led by One YMCA, the programme addresses the lack of young voices within YMCA governance.

The team have developed a blend of accredited governance training, mentoring, peer learning, residential experiences and boardroom simulations. Young people explore trustee responsibilities, strategic planning, finance and communication, whilst receiving personalised support from experienced trustee mentors at their local YMCA.

Across the first two cohorts, 16 young people from 13 different YMCAs successfully completed the programme, reporting an average 159% increase in confidence to contribute to board meetings and a 150% increase in understanding trustee responsibilities, far exceeding the programme target of 20%.

All participants achieved accreditation from YMCA Scotland, with most now active as trustees. One participant said: “This experience has truly been life changing, I’ve not only learned what it means to be part of a board, but I’ve also grown a great deal personally.”

The DWP Youth Hub based at YMCA West Bromwich is a welcoming, community-based space supporting young people aged 16-24 into education, training and employment. Delivered in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, the hub brings together coaching, mentoring and access to local opportunities, helping young people build confidence and develop skills.

Over the past 12 months, the hub has delivered exceptional results. More than 321 young people have received structured one-to-one mentoring, while over 4,721 have accessed the space overall, reflecting both clear demand and the hub’s strong local reputation.

A key strength is its personalised approach, with each young person supported to create a tailored action plan, empowering them to work towards meaningful goals. Many participants have increased confidence and progressed into work experience, volunteering and sustained employment.

DWP stated: “The quality of support provided by YMCA mentors has been exemplary, and their approach has set a benchmark that DWP now uses as a minimum standard across other Youth Hubs.” This recognition has led to YMCA expanding delivery into Dudley.

STEM Club was created to tackle a clear inequality: some children, especially those in Crewe’s disadvantaged communities, were missing out on hands-on STEM education. What began with £1,000 as three pop-up sessions in 2023 has grown into a structured, inclusive programme supporting children aged 8–15 through in-school sessions, Saturday and holiday clubs, community events and trips.

Since launching formally in 2024 with £10,000 support from Bentley through Cheshire Community Foundation, STEM Club has reached 534 young people, with 476 engaged between 2025-2026, through hands-on activities including robotics, coding, 3D printing, AI and engineering challenges, designed to develop technical, teamwork, and future life skills.

The project works because it removes barriers, with free, practical, confidence-building sessions especially for children who are neurodiverse or lacking access to enrichment opportunities. A parent shared: “My daughter has developed a love for engineering, something she wouldn’t have naturally pursued.”

In 2026, the club secured £90,000 three-year funding from the Julia Rausing Trust, with 87% of participants reporting increased confidence.

WiSE’s new project is transforming how we tackle online harm and exploitation; combining the expertise of Dr Damon Parsons, forensic psychiatrist at Broadmoor Hospital and founder of Cyber-psychiatry Education Awareness Research, with the extensive frontline experience of YMCA DownsLink Group’s Child Sexual Exploitation practitioners.

Through intensive two-day workshops, participants gain insight into the online environments young people navigate, with training demonstrating how digital platforms are designed to exploit vulnerabilities in young people’s development.

50 senior professionals, including teachers, social workers, police and local authority staff, have already been trained in this approach, in addition to 225 professionals trained last year. The programme has now evolved to include a specialist version for counsellors responding to the growing mental health impacts of online harm.

One professional said: “This training was fantastic. I feel more empowered to help support both the children and parents we work with.”

As online threats continue to evolve, WiSE remains at the forefront, guided by youth researchers and the lived experiences of young people.

Connect & Thrive is YMCA Derbyshire’s innovative wellbeing programme supporting young people to build resilience, confidence, emotional wellbeing, and positive coping strategies, particularly those with SEMH needs, SEND, and previous negative experiences of education.

What makes the programme different is its trauma-informed, flexible approach. Rather than expecting young people to fit a traditional model, activities are adapted to individual needs, including mindfulness exercises, guided visualisations, creative activities, sensory learning, and nature-based wellbeing sessions in the community gardens. Participation is voluntary, empowering young people to build trust and confidence at their own pace.

Learners have developed greater self-awareness, improved emotional regulation, and increased confidence. One learner described gaining a stronger “connection with my mind,” while another shared that the programme taught them how to “be kind to ourselves”.

The programme has strengthened the wider wellbeing culture across YMCA Derbyshire, with staff receiving trauma and resilience training. Working with specialist providers including Re-Root Psychotherapy, the programme has delivered mindfulness workshops and therapeutic outdoor sessions at the Community Gardens.

Bath YMCA launched Daystop in 2020 after hearing from young people across Bath & North East Somerset that they had nowhere safe to go during the day when facing homelessness or housing insecurity, and were often intimidated by traditional services.

Created as a wraparound to the Nightstop emergency accommodation project, Daystop provides a welcoming, youth-friendly drop-in service for 16-25-year-olds, offering food, showers, laundry facilities, computers, and support with housing, benefits, employment, education, mental health and money issues.

The model has been so successful that Nightstop (Depaul) UK added Daystop to their national offer, and the team won their ‘Outstanding Impact’ award in 2025.

One memorable story is S, an 18-year-old Ukrainian refugee who moved into a Nightstop emergency room while his needs were assessed. Discovering his ambition to attend university, the team navigated UCAS applications, immigration checks, student finance and accommodation searches. Just 18 days after arriving, S boarded a bus to Nottingham to begin a degree in Philosophy and English, excited and ready to build his future.

Our Matrix-accredited Chaplaincy Service at YMCA Heart of England has delivered exceptional outcomes over the past 12 months, providing a trusted, inclusive source of emotional, spiritual, and relational support for staff and residents. During 2025–2026, the project recorded over 50,500 minutes of face-to-face support, including more than 2,333 staff contacts and 2,500 resident contacts.

What makes this project distinctive is its holistic, preventative approach. Rather than focusing solely on crisis intervention, the Chaplaincy is embedded in daily organisational life, building relationships and creating safe spaces where people feel heard and valued. Its work is voluntary, inclusive, and accessible to people of all faiths and none.

For staff, the Chaplaincy has enhanced wellbeing, morale, and resilience. For residents, it has provided hope, stability, and opportunities to process trauma, loss, and life transitions. The project also contributed £5,000 towards the CONTEND Conference, sponsoring 150 young people from across the West Midlands to explore faith and build community.

The project has strengthened community cohesion through partnerships with local churches and faith groups across YMCA communities.

Signpost, a subsidiary of One YMCA, transforms the lives of children and young people aged 5-25 through early mental health support from its Watford base, online, by telephone, within schools, and through community outreach.

The team delivers one-to-one counselling, coaching and creative therapies for those experiencing anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and trauma, including domestic abuse and parental substance misuse. Coaching empowers movement beyond feelings of being “stuck,” while play, art and drama enable safe exploration of emotions, particularly for younger children and those who struggle verbally.

Signpost’s focus on timely access saw average wait times for Creative Therapies at just 13 days in Q4 2025-2026. Referrals for younger children have grown, with 52% aged five to nine. Signpost actively adapts to meet the needs of neurodivergent young people, from sensory adjustments to personalised approaches.

Support extends to parents and carers, helping families strengthen relationships and better navigate emotional challenges. Missed appointments have reduced to just 4.4%.

One young client shared: “I have really enjoyed creative therapy. It has helped me lots! I am more confident and brave!”

The Blue Tigers Cricket Team, led by unaccompanied young people seeking asylum from Afghanistan at YMCA Trinity Group, was created from a shared passion for cricket and a desire to build connection in a new community.

Supported by Community Praxis, Sport Sense, and Ipswich Community Media, the team has been youth-led from the outset, with players shaping their own values, rules, and leadership expectations. Weekly training sessions and competitive matches have helped build confidence, communication, and teamwork, with regular attendance often exceeding 20 participants.

The Blue Tigers have played a vital role in championing equality, creating a safe and inclusive space where young people have equal opportunity to participate, lead, and succeed, reinforced through captain-led team selections.

The team has competed in multiple tournaments across Suffolk, with several players progressing into local clubs. Sponsorship from COES provided a full team kit, enabling players to feel fully included within the wider cricket community.

A co-produced documentary with Ipswich Community Media captures the team’s journey, highlighting both personal and sporting achievements.

Breakfast Club, run by YMCA Sutton Coldfield, promotes diversity by making inclusion a core part of everyday life rather than a standalone initiative. It supports young people from a wide range of cultural, ethnic, religious, and linguistic backgrounds, ensuring every individual feels welcomed, valued, and respected. Diversity is reflected throughout the staff team, providing positive role models who help young people feel represented and understood.

The project holds a daily communal breakfast, bringing young people together to build understanding and respect for one another. It actively celebrates both English and mother-tongue languages, recognising language is an important part of identity and belonging, helping young people feel proud of their heritage.

Breakfast Club has significantly strengthened community cohesion. Where young people once socialised within familiar friendship groups, today they regularly eat, learn, and celebrate cultural events together. Through shared experiences, barriers have been broken down, stereotypes challenged, and lasting friendships formed.

Equality is championed by ensuring every young person has a voice and equal opportunities to participate, creating a stronger, more connected, and more inclusive YMCA community.

VYBZ Youth Hub is an open-access youth provision for young people aged 8–25, welcoming young Londoners from all walks of life, including from some of the city’s most deprived neighbourhoods. Through our Belonging and Becoming theme, we create opportunities for young people to explore their identity, build confidence and develop a strong sense of belonging.

Through our professional music studio, podcasting projects, creative arts programmes and album production, young people tell their stories and develop new skills. We also deliver the Real Talk programme, healthy relationships education and access to a sexual health clinic.

VYBZ removes barriers by supporting families as well as young people, providing food vouchers to those experiencing hardship and connecting young people to employability and volunteering opportunities. We expose young people to opportunities beyond their everyday experiences through trips to organisations including the Barbican, inspiring future aspirations.

During recent “School Wars” concerns, the Hub worked alongside parents, schools and police to provide a trusted, neutral space, helping prevent situations from escalating.

Y Impact delivers residential experiences that champion diversity, enabling young people aged 12-17 with mild to moderate SEND to access overnight residentials and leisure activities as they move towards adulthood.

Young people develop essential life skills such as cooking, travelling, budgeting and personal care within a safe, supportive environment, often being away from home for the first time. Trips also offer adapted outdoor activities, including climbing and team challenges, with participants taking part at their own pace. Y Impact brings together young people from varied educational backgrounds, so all can access the same opportunities regardless of ability or confidence.

Young people take responsibility for daily tasks and provide peer support to new participants, with staff ensuring young people’s voices directly shape delivery through daily reflections.

Several young people who had never stayed away from home successfully completed a full residential, gaining confidence and reducing separation anxiety. One parent shared: “For the first time ever, he left with phone numbers and wanting to communicate with other people. This was the best trip of my life!”