At 21 I suddenly found myself homeless. One day my mum told me to pack my bags and just leave. I had £96 in the account and didn’t know what to do. I decided to walk into town and speak to the local council. Eventually, with help from a social worker, I found a small…
YMCA Exeter is excited to announce its plans for a ground-breaking Supported Housing Pathway, securing stable accommodation for the young people of Torbay and Plymouth. The new plans will see 83 homes established for young people at risk of or facing homelessness. With over 40 years of experience delivering long-term affordable housing for young people…
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…
At age 12, Rachel Davey moved to the rural village of Broadclyst and discovered YMCA Exeter’s Youth Club, almost literally, right on her doorstep! Now 18 years old, Rachel kindly met with us to chat about how YMCA Exeter has supported her. We take her to Exeter’s Chococo Café – after six years at Youth…
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!
