A couple of weeks ago I spoke to Emma*. As she bravely shared her story with me, it was a fresh reminder of why young people urgently need access to safe and affordable accommodation. This month we’re celebrating raising over £200,000 towards the Sidwell Studios build. Emma’s story is a stark reminder of why the new development…
During National Volunteers Week, we wanted to share with you Bambi’s story (pictured above). Over the past year Bambi has been supported by our Community Connecting team where young people all over Exeter are introduced to activities that increase wellbeing and enrich lives. For Bambi, volunteering has played a big role in their story and this…
May bank-holiday weekend saw people from across Devon taking part in the Captain Tom 100 challenge to raise vital funds for YMCA Exeter’s work with local, young people. From skating 100 laps of the Heavitree skatepark, to litter picking 100 pieces of litter around St David’s Hill, local people used their imagination and rose to the challenge. …
We are deeply saddened to confirm that one of our residents was found unresponsive at our supported accommodation in Exeter earlier this afternoon and was confirmed deceased by the paramedics. The immediate family have been informed and police liaison officers are providing support at this extremely difficult time. As this has just happened, the cause…
YMCA Exeter saw over 160 people sign up to the first virtual Sleep Easy event on Friday 19th February. The week-long event provided free activities and a focus throughout half-term for families during lockdown and culminated in a big sleepover on the Friday night. The virtual event invited children and young people to swap…
YMCA Exeter and Exeter City Council, alongside Homes England, are launching a joint venture to tackle Exeter’s 1-bed housing crisis by taking an abandoned warehouse in Acland Road – near the city centre – and converting it into 26 self-contained studio apartments. Each apartment will provide a young person with a permanent, affordable home and…
New research from the Young and Black report, released today by YMCA, reveals that 95% of young Black people have heard and witnessed racist language at school, and 78% have heard and witnessed racist language in the workplace. Worryingly, young Black people in the UK said that they now grow up expecting to experience racism because of…
YMCA Exeter is today celebrating after being awarded almost £9k in National Lottery funding to support its work with children, young people and residents facing mental health concerns. We will use the money to run further groups and early intervention support to help children and young people build resilience so they can cope during mental…
Over the past few weeks our YMCA Exeter youth and support workers have been in touch with young people getting their GCSE, BTEC and A-Level results. Read on to hear our Joint CEO, Si Johns, reflect on his own story from education into employment and discovering God’s calling. _______________________________________________________________________ Being a teenager in 2020 is pretty nerve…
New research from YMCA reveals that 77% of young people have felt lonelier and more isolated during lockdown, 73% feel more stressed, and more than half (56%) are worried about falling behind at school. Five months into a global pandemic, this vulnerable and disproportionately affected group find themselves anxious, isolated and futureless. As young people…
