Now Booking – Feb 26 Half-term Free Activities

Great for our Young People to be involved in this project.

Barnsley Civic’s Press Statement.

Just Us are proud to announce their new exhibition ‘Expressing the Walls in My Mind’, created in collaboration with young people, artist Tony Wade, and with support from Barnsley Civic. The exhibition will take place in The Cooper Gallery’s Sadler Room from Saturday 17 January to Saturday 21 March 2026.

This opens on the same day as another Cooper Gallery exhibition about mental health, ‘Straight A’s’ by John Ledger. The Straight A’s exhibition offers a deeply personal look into the adult life of Barnsley born artist, John Ledger, told through five powerful themes: Anxiety, Anorexia, Alcohol, Ageing, and Art.

Just Us are a passionate group of young people from Barnsley Voluntary and Community Sector organisations, Chilypep, YMCA and the Youth Association. They work with Barnsley Council’s Public Health team to make a positive difference to children and young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health.

The exhibition’s centrepiece will be a new artwork, also titled Expressing the Walls in My Mind, which explores young peoples’ mental health and the experiences of young people today.

The exhibition also highlights previous work produced by young people from Just Us and Chilypep, including the animation ‘Beyond Reflection’. This was created with Barnsley College’s game design department and shows the importance of supporting each other to work through emotional issues as soon as possible. Another feature of the exhibition will be ‘Talkin’ Tarn’, a new piece of public art which will be installed in Barnsley Interchange, produced with artist Robyn Makings.

The exhibition will signpost to services for children and young people around emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Councillor Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “It’s great to see young people leading the way in raising awareness of mental health through art. By giving them a platform to share their experiences, we not only learn from their perspectives but also foster a sense of belonging and self-expression.

“Their voices and creativity are at the heart of this exhibition, and I encourage people to visit when it opens. We remain committed to working alongside Just Us and our partners to champion positive mental health for all children and young people in Barnsley.”

A member of the Just Us group, Prince, said: “I started going to Just Us as it was an opportunity to have my voice heard about issues that are important to me. I’m not the type to express myself through art, but it has given me the opportunity to leave my comfort zone in a safe environment. I am proud of the piece I have made and hope people who think like me can relate.” Another member, Raf, added: “Being a part of the Just Us group has been an amazing experience. I have loved working with everyone and am so excited about the exhibition. It means so much to be able to express myself and what is important to me in such a meaningful way.”

Barnsley Civic’s Community Engagement Manager, Jason White, said: “We are invested in our work with young people and finding creative ways to amplify their voice, opinions, and experiences. Barnsley Civic is grateful to be invited to collaborate on this project.”

‘Expressing the Walls in My Mind’ runs during the Cooper Gallery’s opening hours, from Saturday 17 January to Saturday 21 March 2026. ‘Straight A’s’ by John Ledger runs from Saturday 17 January to Saturday 11 April 2026, also in the Cooper Gallery.

Photographs by Seth Rose.

Barnsley Civic Just Us

YMCA Barnsley’s detached youth media group, ‘GOBBLEDYGOOK NEWS TEAM,’ had the pleasure of interviewing Cllr John Clarke JP, Mayor of Barnsley 2024/25 earlier this year. the Mayor, his wife and Mayoress Mrs Clarke and their team at BMBC made us feel very welcome and gave us a wonderful history lesson about the town hall and its workings over the many years. The detached youth group liaised with the Mayor’s office, put together questions, set up cameras, microphones and other media gubbins, and edited the final version of the video we are cock a hoop to share with you today. Most of the group including staff had little if any experience in creating media beyond what we use day to day on our phones. It has been a fabulous journey, learning together new skills we can all take forward. If you have an idea for a feature, please get in touch via our usual YMCA Barnsley contact details.

Our latest Impact & Consultation Reports are now available, during 2024 we have continued to provide children and young people with safe, welcoming places to socialise, have fun, learn and access support from youth workers as well as opportunities to build core life skills around belonging, learning, coping, self-awareness and positive relationships. Our youth work is led by young people who shape projects from their inception; ensuring programmes are and need led. annual participant consultation survey helps our services to ensure they relevant aligned with the voices of in community. 

Download the Impact Report PDF report here:

We would like to say thank you to all our young people, partner organisations, volunteers, staff, funders and donors. Without your support none of this work would be possible.

A change has come to YMCA Barnsley. Keep an eye out and see the changes externally and internally in the Sports Hall from May 2025.
Internal works continue in the Original Building First Floor and our Pitt St. shops until October 2026

With thanks to Levelling Up funding, BMBC administrative support, Currie & Brown Project Management, Bond Bryan Architects, Hydrock and JP Wild Construction, amongst others

YMCA Barnsley gratefully recieve funding from Children In Need. In November 2024 BBC Look North featured us as part of its Children In Need promotion. Check out the video here:

We are incredibly grateful to have received a core costs grant from BBC Children In Need which will support us in doing all the background business which is essential to facilitate our main job of Youth & Children’s Work delivery. #CiN