Last month we celebrated a milestone achievement with a long serving staff member – Life Skills Co-ordinator, Dave Knatt. For the past 21 years, Dave has been an indispensable pillar of our team, embodying dedication, integrity and passion. Dave says – “I’ve been lucky enough to work at YMCA Worcestershire (and YMCA Worcester before that)…
In our dedication to improving the lives of those affected by imprisonment, YMCA Worcestershire shares updates from our work through the Hewell Rainbow Project, supported by the Charles Haywood Foundation and HMP Hewell. This initiative serves as a beacon of hope for families confronting the challenges of incarceration, aiming to uplift them and empower offenders…
YMCA, in its latest report, has issued an urgent call on the escalating mental health crisis among children and young people. The report underscores the urgent need for enhanced interventions and advocates for increased NHS investment, reduced waiting times, and a national network of early support hubs to ensure timely access to mental health services…
🌟 Exciting News! We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve been awarded a large grant comprising of £37,702 from the Inclusive Communities Fund— a £9 million initiative inspired by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. 🚀 Our mission: Aligned with the Commonwealth Games principles, we are focussed on bringing people together, improving wellbeing, fostering growth, and putting…
As the Children and Families Manager for the Hewell Rainbow Project, Nicki is at the heart of fostering strong family bonds and supporting the wellbeing of children with an incarcerated parent. She oversees Family Days, craft workshops, and the Storybook Dads program, ensuring these activities run smoothly and provide a nurturing environment for families to…
The Cadent Cost of Living Fund, a new programme launched as part of YMCA’s ongoing partnership with Cadent, aims to provide vital support to 32 local YMCAs, helping to address various cost of living challenges in their communities. The initiative is designed to address key areas of concern for communities, including benefits and welfare support…
At First Class Nursery, Kidderminster, the preschool room recently welcomed a visit from local police, much to the delight of the children. The officers engaged them in a discussion about their role in helping the community, even allowing the children to try on uniforms and hats, play with radios, and take a seat in a…
🌿🎨🛒 Our Gordon Anstis House garden project just got a fantastic boost from our friends at Tesco, Extra, Redditch! 🌟 They’ve generously donated bags of nutrient-rich compost and vibrant plants to help us grow something beautiful together. 🌱 But that’s not all – they went above and beyond by sending a volunteer to lend a…
Here we are in April – growth and life all around us, which I absolutely love. Yet we have installed a barrier at the entrance to GAH. Barriers are not normally associated with growth and life – they stop and prevent things. Indeed, in a lot of our work, we are striving to overcome barriers….
Kate joined the Squirrels Nursery, Redditch team in late October 2023, seamlessly integrating into the environment. Regarded as a superstar by her managers, she effortlessly fosters wonderful connections with both infants and parents alike. Her willingness to assist knows no bounds, showcasing her dedication to supporting the local community. Kate says “I work in the…
