It was great to welcome BBC Spotlight to our Lighthouse cafe on Wednesday. Thank you to YMCA Exeter residents, Lewis and Chas* for sharing your thoughts on the Autumn statement. *name changed YMCA Exeter welcomes the new changes that the government has announced today to raise the minimum wage, to increase benefits by 6.7% and to…
YMCA EXETER is relieved and thankful to hear that Devon County Council has pressed pause on plans to stop funding support for homeless people. The news was announced by Devon County Council on Tuesday 8th August, less than a week after the special Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee meeting where Vice Chair, Martin…
In the lead up to the Devon County Council Scrutiny meeting on 27th July, we have produced an “Alternative” Report on the consultation on the proposal to cease the contribution to the 18+ Homeless Prevention funding across Devon. The Scrutiny meeting looking at the proposed cuts on their webcast. Details of how to watch can…
A big thank you to everyone who tuned in to Devon County Council’s Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee meeting on Tuesday 13th June. The public meeting was the next step in the discussions around the proposed plans by Devon County Council to cut the 18+ homelessness prevention fund which would have a devastating impact…
Devon and Somerset-based crew of four are gearing up to face a 550 nautical mile world record breaking row across the Arctic Ocean in July. Departing from Tromso, Norway, the Ocean Revival Arctic Rowing team will row for 10-15 days to reach Svalbard in the high North. The team will be led by Plymouth-based Royal…
In February 2023, Devon County Council announced a proposal to cut funds to the 18+ homelessness services. Si Johns, YMCA Exeter JCEO brings clarity to Devon County Council’s proposed funding cuts, and explains the impact this will have. If the cuts go ahead, YMCA Exeter will lose over £157,000 per year in funding and the…
We would love to invite you to the YMCA Exeter Christmas Service to be held at St David’s Church Exeter on Wednesday 14th December at 12.30pm. The service will be open to our friends, supporters, volunteers, staff and residents and our Lighthouse Café team will be serving festive refreshments in the Church once the service…
Give the gift of sacred space this Christmas Over the last few years, 29-year-old Poppy has moved around shared and supported housing. Sometimes she had nowhere to stay and ended up sleeping in unsafe places. Chaotic and exhausting, Poppy struggled with deepening mental health issues. But since September, Poppy has begun to thrive. She is…
After a break of three years, it was wonderful to be able to host the Gala Dinner evening once again. We were joined by businesses and individuals from the local community, celebrating the theme ‘Building a Legacy for Young People in Devon’. With a glass of fizz in hand and looking very glamourous, the 140 guests were…
YMCA Exeter resident Kirstie tells me she does not like heights. And yet we’re standing on a platform, 25 feet above the ground wearing hard hats and safety harnesses. Kirstie and other residents have spent the week helping to renovate St Sidwell’s Church bell and tower, in its permanent home opposite YMCA Exeter’s new Sidwell…
