Today YMCA England & Wales has released its latest campaign.

YMCA Barnsley is featured in this campaign as much of it was filmed and photographed at ‘Y Stay In’ last year and there is a short film featuring Archie one of our young volunteers.

We are thrilled and so proud to see our young people and youth workers featured in this campaign.

If you use the map feature on the web link you can see that Barnsley falls into the top 50% of local authorities for spending on youth services, however locally we know the impact of the cuts and there is still a need for a statutory increase in funding for youth services.

For more information see:

https://www.ymca.org.uk/generation-cut

View Archie’s story:

YMCA Barnsley and Chilypep are delighted to announce that they will receive funding for building renovations as part of Barnsley’s successful bid to the Government’s Levelling-Up Fund.

The Barnsley Futures bid has been awarded £10.2m, which will work towards helping transform young people’s cultural and wellbeing facilities in Barnsley.

Andrea Battye, Youth Work Manager at YMCA Barnsley, said, “The planned redevelopment of YMCA’s building in the heart of Barnsley will enable YMCA and Chilypep to continue to provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for children and young people locally. It will go a long way to securing the future of the Young People’s Wellbeing Hub ‘H.O.M.E.’ based at YMCA Barnsley.

“The renovations will help to modernise our facilities, which will reduce our environmental impact and operating costs and contribute to our long-term viability as important providers of essential youth-led services for young people in Barnsley.”

H.O.M.E. provides an open-access space for young people to find support before they are in crisis and offers innovative, creative, therapeutic activities that support their mental health. Working alongside YMCA and other partners, H.O.M.E. is a service that offers holistic wrap-around support.

Lesley Pollard, CEO of Chilypep, said, “The success of Barnsley’s Futures bid is crucial to the vision of long-term emotional wellbeing for our young people. YMCA has provided vital open access youth work for over 100 years, and our partnership with YMCA Barnsley in developing H.O.M.E. is part of a national drive to provide early support hubs for young people.”

The £10.2m investment will also include the creation of an activity park in the town centre that will be co-produced by young people, support for Barnsley Youth Choir and the creation of the new Northern Academy for Vocal Excellence (NAVE), and a contribution to the major project to refurbish The Civic Cultural Centre.

YMCA is grateful to Barnsley Council for the opportunity to be a key partner in this bid. We look forward to working with all involved to bring these projects to life, increasing chances and improving outcomes for children and young people in Barnsley.

BMBC Press Release Levelling Up

Please find below information about the free activities YMCA Barnsley are delivering in the north and central areas of Barnsley over the October half term holidays. More information can be found on our YMCA Barnsley Facebook Page.

Booking is required for all activities. If you book a place but can no longer attend, please get in touch with us so that we can offer the place to someone else. To book please either message via Facebook or email us [email protected]

A Message From The Chair

Welcome to our annual report for 2018-2019, giving an insight in to the work and focus of YMCA Barnsley.

2018 saw significant changes within our Association. The sale of the Eldon Street premises released much needed funds to maintain the Blucher Street site. Major work on the roof has now been completed and the building is once again watertight. To be effective in moving forward the upstairs of the premises was closed; as Trustees we felt that we could no longer be everything to everybody. These changes marked the start of the implementation of the strategic plan which is aligned to our vision of building a sustainable community to facilitate supporting children and young people to enable them to belong, contribute and thrive, underpinned by the Christian ethos. To create sustainability, we are currently exploring new avenues of income generation, so we are financially viable.

We are dedicated to empowering young people to reach their true potential. The case studies shown illustrate how young people can and have taken positive steps to change their lives. The projects delivered have been possible due to a team of hardworking and dedicated staff all of whom are valued assets of our Association. Our excellent reputation extends beyond the Borough as the Greenbelt report illustrates.

This annual report is just a brief glimpse into YMCA Barnsley. If you have been inspired by what you have read and would like to get involved, then do contact us – we would love to hear from you. – Julie Enoch