YMCA Prospectus 2015

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Interactive video content Download the YMCA augmented reality app to access bonus digital material – see pages two and three.

YMCA NS brochure 02_03 Foreword

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FOREWORD from DANNY FLYNN CHIEF EXECUTIVE, YMCA NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE

The YMCA strives to be a force for goodness in young people’s lives BRINGING goodness into young people’s lives is what we’re all about here at the YMCA and we’ve been doing it in North Staffordshire for more than a hundred years.

We love the area and its wonderful people and intend to be a force for good for another 100 years, and since time doesn’t stand still neither do we as we strive to deliver on that mission statement.

It’s just a few years since we relaunched the YMCA in the county after a £12 million redevelopment and our new YMCA Campus is the

focal point for our work supporting young people, their families and the wider community.

Our fantastic new facilities and staff are really helping us give young people a voice in our area and beyond.

We believe every young person can be a force for good, given the right opportunities, encouragement and support so we continue to work with our partners in the community to give the young people we support the best life chances possible.

The YMCA has come a long way since its launch in London’s St Paul’s churchyard in 1844 and YMCA North Staffordshire is part of the biggest youth movement worldwide.

There are more than 6,000 YMCAs working for good with over 60 million young people.

This prospectus will give you a real insight into what we are doing for our young people and their families here in North Staffordshire, along with their success stories. We’re a real force for good and we encourage you to get involved.

We believe every young person can be a force for good, given the right opportunities, encouragement and support so we continue to work with our partners in the community to give the young people we support the best life chances possible.

EXPERIENCE MORE with the YMCA NS AR app By downloading the free app on to your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android) you can bring photographs to life using the power of a new technology called augmented reality (AR).

To access the bonus video content with an interactive twist, simply follow these easy steps: Young people at the YMCA North Staffordshire have worked on the conception, production and filming of the augmented reality video streams in this prospectus.

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Chief Executive Danny Flynn.

Download the free YMCA NS AR app from the App Store.

Scan the photos on the pages where you see the scan here marker.

When the video starts double tap your screen for full-screen view.

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A top centre where trusted visions and values thrive THE North Staffordshire youth campus is regarded as one of the best YMCA centres in the country and recently won the Youth Matters YMCA of the Year Award.

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We seek out ...we actively look for opportunities to make a transformative impact on young lives in the communities where we work and believe that every person is of equal value.

We welcome ...we offer people the space they need to feel secure, respected, heard and valued and we always protect, trust, hope and persevere.

We inspire

More than 1,500 people use the YMCA every month from a wide customer base – young people, families, children, community groups, sports teams, vulnerable adults, youth clubs, businesses and art groups – because they find support and encouragement here.

...we strive to inspire each person we meet to nurture their body, mind and spirit and to realise their full potential in all they do.

The campus is a place where young people, families and communities can gain access to services and resources that will help them develop a better future for themselves and others.

...we stand up for young people, speak out on issues that affect their lives and help them to find confidence in their own voices.

We speak out We serve others ...we are committed to the wellbeing of the communities we serve and believe in the positive benefit of participation, locally and in the wider world.

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High profile support from two business people who value work of the YMCA TWO of Britain’s most high profile business people – who are proud of their local roots – have thrown their full support behind YMCA North Staffordshire.

Stoke City Chairman Peter Coates and the UK’s richest woman Kirsty Bertarelli praised the work the organisation does within the community and in creating opportunities for young people.

North-Staffordshire-born Peter, who is also Chairman of bet365, supports the YMCA through his family’s charitable trust,

The Coates Foundation.

He said: “I have taken a great interest in the YMCA in North Staffordshire for many years. It is a very impressive set-up, well-focused, well-run and makes a great contribution to the local community.

“By working closely with young people and raising their aspirations it is also improving the fabric of the local area too.

Our Foundation is proud to support the YMCA in North Staffordshire and I believe the difference it makes is invaluable.”

SCAN PHOTO Peter Coates pictured at the bet365 headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent.

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International chart-topping singer-songwriter Kirsty, who is a former Miss United Kingdom and whose family own Churchill China, has worked closely with the YMCA on its Creative Minds project to help improve the lives of young people through the arts.

She also teamed up with 28 young adults from the YMCA’s choir to produce a Christmas song called The Ghosts of Christmas Past at London’s famous Abbey Road Studio.

Kirsty said: “Ever since I was first invited to the YMCA a couple of years ago I’ve felt it was a wonderful place. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the young people and staff who work there. They are a massively talented, inspiring group.

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Singer-songwriter Kirsty Bertarelli.

“When we recorded the song together we just had the best day at Abbey Road and it shows what can be achieved.”

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SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION

A choice of home and action plans to become independent YOUNG people living at the YMCA have a choice of housing and are supported during their stay to help them move on and live independently.

The stylish accommodation on offer has been specifically designed for 16 to 25 year olds and ranges from en-suite bedrooms at Edinburgh House to one and two bedroom apartments in Grace Crescent.

Residents work with a Personal Development Coach on an agreed resettlement action plan and are expected to take part in constructive day time activities which can include exercise, training, education or volunteering.

Support and advice is also offered on benefits, finding and furnishing properties and sustaining a tenancy.

Ongoing support is provided out in the community to make sure former residents stay safe and remain on course as they work to get their lives on track.

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All the staff are amazing.

If you need help or support they are there for you. I can now happily say the YMCA is my home and I’m proud to call it my home.

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Jordan moves from sofa surfing to riding the crest of a wave on tall ships JORDAN Harris was once homeless and sofa surfing but is now riding the crest of a wave after completing a tall ships challenge and moving into a YMCA flat.

Now 19, his mum kicked him out when he was 16 and he ended up

at the YMCA a year later after first sleeping rough and staying with mates.

He said: “While I was homeless I felt like I was always in danger because of my diabetes. When I first came to the YMCA I was nervous and a bit scared because I didn’t know anyone in the

building. Since then I’ve gained life skills and if it wasn’t for the YMCA I don’t know where I’d be now.

“All the staff are amazing. If you need help or support they are there for you. I can now happily say the YMCA is my home and I’m proud to call it my home.”

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RELATIONSHIP SERVICES

Professional team works with other agencies to give impartial support MAINTAINING family relationships can sometimes be tough so a team of highly-skilled professionals are on hand at the YMCA to help with everything from parenting skills to conflict resolution.

Working in partnership with other agencies, the team of fully-qualified social workers and family support workers draw on years of experience in their own fields as they provide impartial advice, support and independent social work services.

They deal with behaviour issues, family separation and help former partners parent apart while trying to keep parents out of the court system.

YMCA North Staffordshire is the approved provider of the Government funded Separated Parents Information Programme and run supervised and supported contact sessions where there is a breakdown in contact between parents and children.

The team also work closely with the local authority providing independent social work services for families who are struggling with debt, housing issues, worklessness and other problems to keep them from falling into crisis.

We decided to take a break but have been supported by the relationship services team since then to try and resolve our issues.

Tom Hulme

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Tom Hulme and Tasha Coles with their son Korey pictured in a meeting room at Edinburgh House.

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New parents aim to build stable life for themselves and their son NEW parents Tom Hulme and Tasha Coles might be living apart but they are trying to make a go of their relationship – all with the support of the YMCA. The 26-year-olds dote on their baby boy Korey who lives with his dad but the couple recently had a break after two years together.

Tom, who is studying for an Open University degree as he plans a career in teaching, said: “We were bickering a lot and Tasha had suffered some post-natal depression mixed with her own depression so it was tough going.

“We decided to take a break but have been supported by the

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relationship services team since then to try and resolve our issues.

“We see them quite often and also meet up with the city council’s Early Help team so we’re getting plenty of support. The YMCA team are always there for us. We want to build a happy, stable life as much for ourselves as for Korey.”

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TRAINING & EDUCATION

Esmee heads for university with special memories of support from the YMCA

Skills training opens up brighter future for hundreds of people AWARD-WINNING YMCA North Staffordshire skills training is already helping people into jobs and giving them a brighter future.

Dedicated tutors as well as Training and Employment coaches provide everything from social and personal skills development to vocational training and fully accredited courses – all designed to build confidence and lead to rewarding and meaningful opportunities.

Hundreds of people have already benefited from campus-based and even outward-bound courses to

CHAOTIC is how Esmee Bailey describes life growing up with an unsettled childhood but she has now been accepted for university after the YMCA, with support from Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College, gave her stability.

give them a wider range of skills and qualifications.

The YMCA’s team also supports training for parents through the Start Up Citywide programme in children’s centres and even offers courses for adults who want to do their bit and train others.

She said: “My parents brought me up in a very unstable environment but I never knew anything different for eight years. I saw things no child should ever see and ended up in care.”

Employment and Skills Manager Chris Deakin said: “We have years of experience at supporting people to achieve their goals through flexible courses and training so they can have the very best life chances and go on to enjoy rewarding jobs.”

Esmee then went to live with her aunt for eight years, who gave her much more routine and stability but she ended up leaving due to family conflict.

She came to the YMCA as a very hard worker, balancing a full-time college course in social studies and law while maintaining a part-time job at the Royal Stoke University Hospital.

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MUM of three Leanne Simpson felt isolated when she first moved to Stoke-on-Trent with her partner but is now enjoying her shop job – thanks to confidence building YMCA courses and support with applications.

Leanne worked closely with Training and Employment Coach Sonia Barlow on a personal action plan before taking Start Up Maths and English classes at Norton Children’s Centre.

I cannot thank Start Up and Sonia enough for helping me to achieve my aim of finding employment.

Leanne Simpson 10

Esmee added: “When I was at college I lived at the YMCA and within a month they had me climbing Mount Snowdon.

It was something I’ll never forget.”

She quickly moved on to food safety, First Aid, child development and work-related skills courses before adding a volunteering qualification to her growing list of achievements. New-found confidence saw her supporting other parents on to courses at the children’s centre before she landed a role as a Volunteer Classroom Support Assistant at Stoke-on-Trent College.

Sonia later encouraged Leanne to apply for a job at the newly-opened SPAR shop on the YMCA campus and supported her through the application and interview process.

Leanne said: “I cannot thank Start Up and Sonia enough for helping me to achieve my aim of finding employment.”

When I was at college I lived at the YMCA and within a month they had me climbing Mount Snowdon. It was something I’ll never forget.

“The next six months were very enjoyable, as the YMCA got me back on my feet, and I gained independence. The staff have been so supportive. They do so much for young people.

Now I’m going to Staffordshire University to study social work.”

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Esmee Bailey 11

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TRAINING & EDUCATION

Esmee heads for university with special memories of support from the YMCA

Skills training opens up brighter future for hundreds of people AWARD-WINNING YMCA North Staffordshire skills training is already helping people into jobs and giving them a brighter future.

Dedicated tutors as well as Training and Employment coaches provide everything from social and personal skills development to vocational training and fully accredited courses – all designed to build confidence and lead to rewarding and meaningful opportunities.

Hundreds of people have already benefited from campus-based and even outward-bound courses to

CHAOTIC is how Esmee Bailey describes life growing up with an unsettled childhood but she has now been accepted for university after the YMCA, with support from Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College, gave her stability.

give them a wider range of skills and qualifications.

The YMCA’s team also supports training for parents through the Start Up Citywide programme in children’s centres and even offers courses for adults who want to do their bit and train others.

She said: “My parents brought me up in a very unstable environment but I never knew anything different for eight years. I saw things no child should ever see and ended up in care.”

Employment and Skills Manager Chris Deakin said: “We have years of experience at supporting people to achieve their goals through flexible courses and training so they can have the very best life chances and go on to enjoy rewarding jobs.”

Esmee then went to live with her aunt for eight years, who gave her much more routine and stability but she ended up leaving due to family conflict.

She came to the YMCA as a very hard worker, balancing a full-time college course in social studies and law while maintaining a part-time job at the Royal Stoke University Hospital.

Personal action plan helps Leanne land a job at SPAR SCAN PHOTO

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MUM of three Leanne Simpson felt isolated when she first moved to Stoke-on-Trent with her partner but is now enjoying her shop job – thanks to confidence building YMCA courses and support with applications.

Leanne worked closely with Training and Employment Coach Sonia Barlow on a personal action plan before taking Start Up Maths and English classes at Norton Children’s Centre.

I cannot thank Start Up and Sonia enough for helping me to achieve my aim of finding employment.

Leanne Simpson 10

Esmee added: “When I was at college I lived at the YMCA and within a month they had me climbing Mount Snowdon.

It was something I’ll never forget.”

She quickly moved on to food safety, First Aid, child development and work-related skills courses before adding a volunteering qualification to her growing list of achievements. New-found confidence saw her supporting other parents on to courses at the children’s centre before she landed a role as a Volunteer Classroom Support Assistant at Stoke-on-Trent College.

Sonia later encouraged Leanne to apply for a job at the newly-opened SPAR shop on the YMCA campus and supported her through the application and interview process.

Leanne said: “I cannot thank Start Up and Sonia enough for helping me to achieve my aim of finding employment.”

When I was at college I lived at the YMCA and within a month they had me climbing Mount Snowdon. It was something I’ll never forget.

“The next six months were very enjoyable, as the YMCA got me back on my feet, and I gained independence. The staff have been so supportive. They do so much for young people.

Now I’m going to Staffordshire University to study social work.”

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Esmee Bailey 11

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VOLUNTEERING

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Being a mentor has allowed me to see the progression of participants from start to finish.

Andrew Shanahan

Rock climbing session led to a step up to support staff role with National Citizen Service AFTER rock climbing at the YMCA activity centre for a school PE lesson, Andrew Shanahan was introduced to the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme and signed himself up.

Three years on, 18-year-old Andrew has progressed to a support staff role and is also part of the West Midlands Youth Volunteering Board, giving him the chance to shape new opportunities and developments for young people.

In the three summers that he has spent working with NCS Andrew has helped to organise an 80s-themed night and a gig, as well as fundraising events such as supermarket bag packing and coffee mornings – and now works as a group mentor.

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In his mentoring role he works with a team of 12 to 16 young people and supports them in the first three weeks to effectively plan and manage a community project. In the final two weeks of the programme, the team fundraise for their final event.

Andrew said: “Gaining life skills such as time-management and organisation as well as meeting loads of new people are just some of the benefits of the NCS programme.

“Being a mentor has allowed me to see the progression of participants from start to finish – most people are really shy when they arrive but at the end of the programme everyone has come out of their shell. It’s great to be a part of.”

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Volunteers have great opportunity to learn and develop new skills VOLUNTEERING is a great way to learn and develop new skills while helping to create a better community, and the YMCA has a wide range of voluntary and student work placements to suit everyone.

As well as offering community activities in areas such as sports and fitness, mentoring and youth work, young people between the ages of 15-17 can also take part in the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme.

Through getting involved in the five-week course, participants are mentally and physically challenged in a week-long outdoor activity residential before planning, managing and fundraising for their own community project.

They can also achieve a First Aid qualification and have the chance to progress to support staff and team leader roles, developing life skills and making new friends along the way.

Andrew Shanahan mentors volunteers Evie Ashley and Holly Howorth.

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ACTIVITY CENTRE

Top class sports facilities and activities provide a fun route to health and fitness WITH its state-of-the-art sports facilities and range of activities, YMCA North Staffordshire provides the community with a place to have fun while improving personal health and fitness.

The activity centre boasts a fully equipped gym and indoor and outdoor football pitches, as well as the highest climbing wall in Stoke-on-Trent. Archery, indoor roller skating, spinning and free running are among the other activities provided.

The centre also supports home-grown sporting talent including the YMCA North Staffordshire free running team who have won a regional award and were runners up in a national award. After spotting talent within the team, funding was found to help individuals achieve coaching qualifications – and, as a result, they now deliver free running sessions on campus.

As well as offering the chance to get involved in sports teams such as boxing and ladies football, YMCA North Staffordshire also provides fantastic events such as corporate days, residentials and birthday parties.

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Damian Wright with YMCA Activity Centre Manager Ade Tilstone in the gym.

Exercise and healthy eating turned Damian’s life around – and he has never looked back AFTER reaching his mid-30s and weighing in at 25 stone, former YMCA North Staffordshire resident Damian Wright realised it was time to turn his life around and start taking care of his health. He joined the activity centre and over the course of 10 months, lost nine and a half stone through hitting the gym and overhauling his diet – and he has never looked back.

Two years on, Damian maintains his slim line physique by exercising for around two hours a day and sticking to a strict healthy-eating plan. When he left the care of social services at 18, Damian turned to the YMCA who offered him accommodation and support.

In the 18 months that he spent living at Edinburgh House, he studied City & Guilds courses and went on to achieve a degree in Information Technology at Staffordshire University.

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He now balances working as a self-employed IT technician with his love of keeping fit – squeezing in early morning spinning and weights sessions before work. He is also on hand to advise fellow gym-goers on the best ways to make use of the equipment.

Damian said: “The YMCA has always been brilliant to me. I spent some of the best times of my life here and it’s great to be involved in helping people use the activity centre so that they can benefit like I did.

“There’s so much to get involved in, from spinning to circuits and free running, and the gym facilities are fantastic too. Setting foot in a gym for the first time can be daunting, but all the staff here are great and make people feel comfortable – that’s why I keep coming back.”

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CONFERENCE & HOSPITALITY

Superb venue with a stunning panoramic view SKY high conference facilities with panoramic views are available on the eighth floor – but at earthbound prices.

The Sky Room is the tallest conference centre in the area and boasts a superb outdoor viewing area. It comes complete with superfast broadband, private kitchen and seating for up to sixty people so it is perfect for presentations, meetings and seminars.

With free parking and conveniently located just a few minutes walk from Stoke railway and Hanley bus stations, YMCANS also offers room hire for between two and sixteen, ICT suites, training rooms and even a Chapel for quiet days.

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Visitors can enjoy a homemade buffet from the in-house catering team with a choice of fresh sandwiches or salad platters, homemade cakes and seasonal fruit.

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The Sky Room has excellent private kitchen facilities.

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The Sky Room is always our first option now when we’re booking a venue. Their staff are really helpful and the catering is great.

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Diane Cliffe of First Potteries, left, sets up the Skyroom for a staff training day with the help of YMCA Commercial Manager Linda Freeman.

Leading bus operator gives sky-high praise g

THE Sky Room has become the venue of choice for bus company First Potteries who book it for their staff training days whenever possible.

It has already staged three courses there this year, each lasting two or three days, after finding it during an online search.

Diane Cliffe, PA to the company’s Managing Director, said: “It looked good on the website and when we were shown around we were very impressed. You get a bird’s eye view of the whole city and we can even see Hanley bus station.

“The YMCA always do us a good deal so it’s fantastic value. Their staff are really helpful, the

catering is great and when our staff hear that training is at the Sky Room they even volunteer to come along.

“The Sky Room is always our first option now when we're booking a venue and if we can’t get it because someone else has we’re always disappointed. It’s that good.”

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ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Activities can be mixed and matched to create a unique, tailored event FROM disco birthday parties to corporate days, YMCA North Staffordshire can host a range of activities and events that cater for all.

Whether it’s an adrenaline-fuelled trip camping out in the wild or a relaxed team-building session staying in a fully-equipped bunkhouse, residentials at the centre can be tailored to individual requirements.

A variety of activities, including free running, climbing, abseiling, cycling and kayaking, can be mixed and matched to create a completely unique programme.

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Facilities at the YMCA North Staffordshire’s activity centre can be used for fun corporate days, with the opportunity to team build by abseiling off the highest conference centre in the West Midlands.

The centre is also available to hire by the wider community – while roller disco and climbing wall parties, as well as a catering service, are available for any celebration.

Spelling out YMCA are young people on an outward bound residential trip in Snowdonia.

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Residential trips built Joseph’s confidence and created interest in outdoor adventure WHEN he first moved into the YMCA after becoming homeless, 21-year-old Joseph Hogan was shy and unsure about what the future held.

After befriending fellow residents, Joseph was persuaded to take part in a week-long residential as a car park assistant at a Christian festival, and now regularly gets involved in similar events around the country.

In the four months that he has spent at Edinburgh House, Joseph has taken part in two residential trips – including spending a week helping to renovate a church in Yorkshire – as well as making the most of the gym facilities in the activity centre.

He is also planning on taking part in an outdoor-adventure residential in Wales and now hopes to begin a Personal Training qualification, channelling his passion for fitness and helping others into a career.

Joseph said: “The great feeling I get knowing that I’ve helped someone makes me keep signing up for more. I was shy at first, taking part in residentials at the YMCA has really brought me out of my shell – it’s great for confidence building and we always have a laugh along the way.”

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...taking part in residentials at the YMCA has really brought me out of my shell...

Joseph Hogan

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Contact Us: YMCA North Staffordshire Edinburgh House Harding Road Hanley Stoke-on-Trent Staffs ST1 3AE Tel: +44 (0)1782 222376 Facebook: ymcanorthstaffordshire Twitter: @ymcans Email: hello@ymcans.org.uk Website: ymcans.org.uk Registered Charity No 1100749 Company Limited by Guarantee No 4804681 Registered in England and Wales