Welcome to Lewes & District YMCA
"Helping young people build a future"
"The YMCA's vision is of an inclusive Christian Movement, transforming communities so that all young people truly belong, contribute and thrive".
Lewes and District YMCA will deliver on the 5 key agendas of Youth Matters and Every Child Matters:
- Be healthy
- Staying safe
- Enjoy and Achieve
- Make a Positive Contribution
- Achieve Economic Well-being
Lewes and District YMCA strives to be the focal point for the activities of children, young people, and their families and therefore a powerful force for their development and support, with a culture where;
- potential is nurtured
- learning and development are integral
- respect and teamwork run through all activities eg sport
- fun is a major ingredient
- Christian values underpin all actions and activities
The YMCA - Who we are
The YMCA is a leading Christian charity committed to supporting all young people, particularly in times of need. We welcome people of all faiths and of none. The YMCA reaches out to over 1 million young people each year, working with them at every stage of their lives and offering support when and where they need it most. Our vision is for all young people to have a place where they belong, a voice that is listened to and opportunities, throughout life's journey, to realise their God-given potential.
The work of the YMCA
Founded 160 years ago, the YMCA in England builds on a long history of providing a place for young people to find acceptance, community and activity.
We do this by offering high quality services in seven integrated areas including:
Housing and Homelessness - the YMCA is the largest voluntary sector provider of safe, supported accommodation in England for single men and women between the ages of 16 and 35. For further information, please contact us and we will signpost you to the YMCA that can help.
Sport, Health, Exercise and Fitness - the YMCA is the largest voluntary sector provider of health and fitness services that promote physical activity and healthy living. Lewes YMCA currently runs a number of sports activities, delivered by our staff, or by specialist coaching organisations using our facility.
Crime and Safety - the YMCA led groundbreaking work with young people in prisons and ex-offenders and continues to work vigorously to help reduce the risk of young people either turning to crime or becoming victims of crime. Lewes YMCA works with the Crime Reduction Partnership to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, through various programmes, see Events and Activities page.
Education and Skills - the YMCA offer a variety of vocational, formal and informal school- and work-based learning opportunities for young people to develop skills and achieve recognition. The future plans of Lewes YMCA will contribute to this work.
Money and Work - the YMCA offer a range of services designed to help increase the employability and financial awareness of young people, helping them to find and keep meaningful jobs. Lewes YMCA does not currently work in this specific area, but plans to incorporate aspects of this area in it's future programmes.
Citizenship and Personal Development - the YMCA empower young people by involving them in activities that stimulate, challenge and enable them to realise their potential and participate fully in their communities. Lewes YMCA will build these elemenst into it's future programmes.
LEWES and DISTRICT YMCA
Lewes and District YMCA was formed in 1900 and since then has been at the heart of the community. We have supported generations of local people as they build a future. We are currently in the process of developing our portfolio of activities and throughout this process will consult with children and young people, to ensure we meet the needs of the community we serve.
In a recent survey in the district, young people identified they wanted the following;
- Places that provide a safe and positive environment for young people
- Better access to sports facilities, that give young people a place to go and help promote a healthy lifestyle.
- Sports where the young people learn the rules, understand tactics and can build on teamwork
- Offer young people an alternative to gathering in the streets, especially during the winter.
- Be open to all young people up to the age of 19, regardless of any gender, race or faith:
- Young people want to be involved in projects that are educational, that encourage them to develop new skills, giving them greater confidence.
- Easy access to a comprehensive information and advice service
The Lewes and District YMCA will address these needs and build them into future planning of events and activities.
The Y Centre is open during weekdays, after school, evenings and at weekends. The facilities are used by schools, clubs and various organisations to deliver a variety of sport and other leisure activities, for over 500 children, young people and adults, each week. We have a studio suitable for dance and drama, plus a sports halls suitable for all sports. If you would like to hire any of these facilities, may be even for a children's party, please do not hesitate to contact the Team on 01273 474599.
Events at the Lewes and District YMCA
Details of our current activities and services can be found on the Events and Programmes page. If you would like to hire any of the rooms for sport and leisure activities, please call the team on 01273 474599.
To give you a taste of the range of activities we offer, they include the following;
Extended School Programmes - for primary school age children, being Breakfast Club, After School Club and Holiday Playschemes. This provides significant support for working parents, by offering these programmes in a safe, caring, constructive and creative environment.
Youth activities
Sport - football, basketball, Tai-Kwon Do, Martial Arts, Table tennis, drama
Youth clubs
Adults
Table tennis, Egyptian dance, drama, line dancing
Other programmes
We will be starting a "Dads, Lads and Lassies" programme during Autumn 2006, which will run into 2007 and will encourage fathers to "get off the touchline and onto the field of play", in a fun and constructive environment. This is planned to be on a Saturday morning between 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. For further details call David Hughes on 01273 474599.
Jigsaw Nursery also on the site - for information, please contact
Our future plans
As Lewes YMCA builds it's capacity, the sports programmes and information, advice and guidance will be further developed to provide a comprehensive range of services. If you feel there are gaps in services in Lewes and would like to discuss if our facilities help fill this gap, please contact the team on 01273 474599.
International links
We are keen to use the YMCA's international links and experience, to develop exchange programmes to promote international understanding. The aim will be to provide young people of Lewes and the surrounding district with an understanding of how the YMCA is supporting young people in different countries, with different daily challenges, to transform their lives and the lives of their communities. YMCA's across the country work with YMCA's in towns and countries such as Palestine and the Gambia. For example Winchester YMCA recently visited the YMCA's in Hebron and Ramallah, with particularly challenging environments and will host young people from Palestine in 2007. This is a great example of how the YMCA can bring people together, to build a future.
The Lewes YMCA team has a vision to develop such links, to promote racial and cultural understanding between groups of young people who have different religious, cultural and economic backgrounds. From "Small steps we fulfill Big Dreams". Call us to discuss how you can get involved in developing this exciting project.
Giving young people a voice
We believe it is vital to build plans and develop our organisation, based on the needs of young people. Through a process of continuous consultation our projects will be based on the feedback from young people. Lewes YMCA is keen to make sure that young people are involved in making decisions about what happens at the centre. Make sure you your voice is heard.
The Lewes YMCA meets regularly to input the opinions of young people into the running of its programmes and facilities.
Partnerships
Lewes YMCA has formed partnerships with Lewes Town and District Councils, East Sussex County Council, East Sussex Youth Development Service, Sussex Youth Offending Team, Sussex Connexions, Millenium Volunteers, Lewes Action team Crime Reduction Partnership. Demontfort Improvement Group.
In collaboration with these agencies, the Y Centre will offer young people advice on problems that they may face eg homelessness, alcohol, drugs and substance misuse, jobs etc.
A centre of excellence
Lewes YMCA aims to be a centre of excellence in the town. It works principally with children and young people, up to the age of 19 and is inclusive of any gender, race or faith.
If you have any enquiries please feel free to Contact Us |
