It’s a big thank you from us and a fond farewell to the Rt Rev. Robert Atwell as he stepped down from his role as Bishop of Exeter during a beautiful service of thanksgiving at Exeter Cathedral on Sunday 17th September. “Bishop Robert has been a constant support to YMCA Exeter over his seven years of…
It’s wonderful to be able to take a break from talking about potential funding cuts and let you into some breaking news. It’s been a little over a year since we opened Sidwell Studios – our first step in tackling the massive need for housing for young people in Exeter and Devon. It’s a rewarding…
On February 22nd Devon County Council surprised us with the news that they were proposing to cut funds to the 18+ homelessness services. If this goes ahead, YMCA Exeter will lose over £157,000 per year in funding and the consequences for vulnerable young adults will be huge. The public consultation came to a close on…
31-year-old Lani* moved to YMCA Exeter when she was just 16, escaping an abusive home and looking for safety. Moved to action by the Council’s threats to cut YMCA Exeter’s funding, Lani shared her inspirational story of how the YMCA support team helped her overcome adversity and thrive. “I came to YMCA Exeter in 2008…
Winter can be a difficult time of year when moods run low and anxiety starts to take over. At YMCA Exeter we regularly encourage our young people to think about the ‘5 steps to wellbeing’ – one of these key steps is ‘give to others’. Almost three months ago, YMCA Exeter resident Jade Rowden started…
Behind the scenes, quietly working away, we have an incredible team of eight volunteer cake bakers. Every week, without fail, a delicious homemade cake and welcome card is dropped off, ready to welcome new young people arriving to live at YMCA Exter. Cathy Knowles shares why she volunteers: “Around seven years ago I was asked…
It’s been a wonderful few weeks welcoming our first residents into the newly completed, Sidwell Studios. YMCA Exeter resident, 24-year-old Owen, was the first to move in: “I don’t think it’s properly sunk in yet. There’s no way I could have afforded something like this. Not even house shares are this affordable. It only takes… First residents move into Sidwell Studios!
Midsummer Joy is our random act of kindness week. And what a week we had! Our Lighthouse café ran Monday – Thursday with live music sessions from residents and staff. The sun shone and with our gazebo up and bunting fluttering, we added in some classic old-fashioned fete competitions for people to try. Splat the Rat,…
“On Wednesday 25th May we learned the desperately saddening news that Paul Cloke, a Trustee for YMCA Exeter, had died following a heart attack. Paul was an amazing Man of God, who put his all into his Trusteeship at both YMCA Exeter and St. Petrock’s. Before becoming a Trustee, Paul was greatly involved in volunteering with…
Councillor Phil Bialyk officially opened YMCA Exeter’s brand new Sidwell Studios with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday 10th May, 11am. The event, attended by city and county Councillors, marks the unveiling of a fantastic joint venture to tackle Exeter’s 1-bed housing crisis by taking an abandoned warehouse near the city centre and converting it into…
