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The YMCAs successful Aim High project which helps YMCAsto work more effectively with young people has been awarded448,000 over three years to develop a regional support scheme.

The funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families(DCSF) is to set up an Aim High Regional Franchise. This will offersupport and training to staff and volunteers that work with youngpeople at 45 YMCAs.

Youth work development adviser Alison Dean said: We aredelighted that the DCSF continues to endorse Aim High. This projectoffers better career development to YMCA workers and betterprogrammes for young people its a real win-win!Aim High Regional Franchise was developed after a consultation

found that YMCAs prefer youth work standards to be achievedthrough continuous development with regional support. The resultsof the external evaluation have been compiled as report, Aim High05-08, which will be available in July 2008.

The 45 YMCAs will be given professional development tools, adviceand funds to support 135 youth workers or volunteers, who willreceive accredited training. The funding wil l also be used to train 18part-time regional peer mentors who will be seconded to YMCAs,

inside: Thousands confirmed for YMCA Europe festival Supporters hopefor young

offenders Updates from aroundY MCA England Learn todwell inthe uncomfortable

Young people getactive in politics Summer garden partyfor YMCA supporters

APRIL 2008 NEWSLETTER FOR THE YMCA IN ENGLAND

Join thefun at the Great NorthRunand support Team YMCAFind outmore on page 7

Moreyouth worktraining for young people

The Princes Trust has won funding to continue Youth Steps, for which the YMCA

is a national delivery partn er. Youth Steps is a t raining programme for young

people who want to take a fi rst step to become a youth worker, particularly those

who have few qualifications or reduced employment prospects.

With this success ful bid, YMCA England can continue to be a lead partn er in Youth

Steps, added Alison. The scheme offers young people an amazing opportunity to taketheir first steps to a career in working with young people.

If you have young people aged 17 to 25 interested in a career in youth work contact Alison

Dean (details above). Youth Steps offers accredited training to VRQ level 1 in Youth Work.

www.ymca.org.uk/youthsteps

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YMCA England contacts

Communications: 53 Parker Street, London, WC2B 5PT 0845 873 6633Dunford House: Dunford, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 0DG

Finance: 640 Forest Road, London E17 3DZ 020 8520 5599Fundraising: 53 Parker Street, London, WC2B 5PT 0845 873 6633Housing: Colman House, Station Road, Knowle,West Midlands B93 0HL 01564 730 229Human Resources: 640 Forest Road, London E17 3DZ 020 8520 5599Insync Standards:Armstrong House, 4/6 The Finningley Estate, Hayfield Lane,Doncaster DN9 3GA 01302 623 066Lakeside National Centre: Newby Bridge, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8BDOffender services unit: c/o Craven YMCA, Pinder House, Skipton,North Yorkshire BD23 2NS 01756 709 566Shops: Unit 2, Malvern View Business Park, Bishops Cleeve,Cheltenham GL52 7DQ 01242 677690Sport, Health, Exercise and Fitness unit: 53 Parker Street,London, WC2B 5PT 0845 873 6633Working with young people unit: 53 Parker Street, London, WC2B 5PT 07801 659264

National Council of Young Mens Christian Associations (Incorporated). A Limited Company registered in London no. 73749.

Registered office: 640 Forest Road, London E17 3DZ. Charity no. 212810. www.ymca.org.uk

inthefuture

The next issue of intouch, outin July, will feature a review ofYMCA National Assembly 2008.

Please send any events,news items or feedback (clearlymarked for publication) to:[email protected]

020 7061 3337

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Learn to dwell inthe uncomfortable

ABOVE: Training at St Helens YMCA

Funding to promoteexcellence in youth work

ByPip Wilson, trainer and group worker

Growth does not reside in a place called comfortable

Human development does not reside in a place called certainty

Wholeness does not reside in a place called self

Freedom does not reside in a place called security

Theres something rich about being poor. That sortof thing was said of the M aster, who humans witha Christian faith like myself in our stumblingfumbling way, decided to follow. They said ofhim: He who was rich became poor.

How about applying that next time you are ina crowded room? Choose to talk with the leastattractive human rather than crowding aroundthe current YMCA personality?

Weve all heard about stepping outside our comfortzones. And I dont doubt you step outside them inyour day-to-day work. How about consideringdeliberately stepping outside them?

Choose to sit close to someone who is scary, loud,noisy, or smelly... Not oppressively close, but close

enough that some words may be naturallyexchanged. Hope that a better relationship maydevelop and, more importantly maybe, that youmay learn...

I leave you with a blessing. To read it is to residein a place called comfortable. To absorb it is to dailyrefresh your irritation:

May God bless you with discomfortAt easy answers, half truths and superficialrelationships,So that you may live deep within your heart

May God bless you with angerAt injustice, oppression and exploitation of people,So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tearsTo shed for those who suffer pain, rejection,hunger and war,So that you may reach out your hand to comfortand To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishnessTo believe that you can make a difference in the world,So you can do what others claim cannot be done

To bring justice and kindness to all our children andthe poor

Uncomfortable is a healthy place to reside.

[email protected]

If youd like to contribute to our backpage inspirit reflection [email protected]

ABOVE: Youth work at Kingson

and Wimbledon YMCA.

and to promote and support theYMCAs youth work Insync standards.

The franchise aims to result in moreconfident and skilled youth workers withgreater support, a higher standard ofyouth work across the YMCA, and betteryouth programmes for more than5,000 young people.

If you are interested in becoming apaid part-time regional mentor, or ifyou want to be one of the 45 YMCAsto benefit from the scheme contactAlison Dean on 07801 659 264 [email protected]

ABOVE: Blob Journey by Ian Long and Pip Wilson


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Thousands confirmedfor YMCA Europe festivalAt the start of February more than 5,000 people had signed upto take part in YMCA Europe 2008. This includes over 400registrations from YMCAs in England.

YMCA Europe, which takes place in Prague from 3 to 9 August,promises to be the largest YMCA youth festival in Europe. The firstfestival took place in 2003, and the organisers are looking to doublethe number of young people taking part to 10,000 .

With tickets selling fast they are over halfway to achieving thatfigure. So dont miss out on your place, for details of how to bookcontact Ken Montgomery on [email protected] 01325 364690

Bands, artists and performers...The festival will feature a packed programme of arts, music, worship and speakers. A number of top-name artists and performers from across Europe and beyond have been confirmed to perform in Prague.

From the UK is DJ Mark Hill, who co-founded Artful Dodger in the late nineties and wrote hit garage trackssuch as Rewind, Woman Trouble and Moving Too Fast. He co-wrote and produced Craig Davids hit debutalbum, the multi-award winning Born to Do It. He has had more than 20 UK top 20 hits, two number ones andamassed over 15 million sales worldwide. As well as performing at the festival, Mark will run DJing workshops.

From Malta comes singer/songwriter Ira Losco. Ira and her band have performed to sold-out audiences forthe past two years. She has played support to international stars like Katie Melua, Elton John, Akon, EnriqueIglesias, Maroon 5, Ronan Keating, Bob Geldof and Mel C.

Pulz are a rock band from Switzerland that have close connections with YMCA projects in their home countryas well as in Belarus. Winners of several awards, Pulz recently won a Swiss battle of the bands competition.

With their infectious gospel mix of funk, soul, R&B and traditional Nigerian rhythms, UK-based Four Kornerztake their audience on a musical journey to the ends of the world. Nominated for various awards, the bandrecently won Best Gospel Album at the 2007 Christian Broadcast Council Awards.Also performing on various stages will be young people from the many YMCA Ten Sing groups from across

Europe. Other programme activities including speakers, workshops, drama and more performers will beannounced regularly in the weeks leading up to the festival.www.ymca2008.com

Calling all new readers

If you are reading this for the first time, its possibly because youve pickedone up in your National Assembly welcome bag. And if youre wondering whatintouch is, its the newsletter for the YMCA in England offering news, updatesand opportunities for all YMCA staff and volunteers. To join our mailing list andreceive a copy every four months email: [email protected]

Hope you enjoy the read!

Peter Shaw, editor

CONTENTS:

3 PRAGUE 2008 UPDATE

4 UPDATES FROM AROUND YMCA ENGLAND

5 FUNDRAISING EVENT

6 UPDATES FROM YMCA ENGLAND

7 EVENTS AND MEETINGS

8 REFLECTION AND CONTACTS

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DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY:

YMCA England Movement Communications

53 Parker Street, London WC2B 5PT

T 0845 873 6633 F 0845 873 6644

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introducing

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inprofile

Anjan MukherjeeGeneral Secretary of the YMCA Indian Student Hostel

A veteran of the YMCA for 35 years, Anjay first encountered the movementin 1973, when he joined the YMCA in Calcutta rising to become generalsecretary in 1998. After serving for three years he joined the YMCA Indianational offices in Delhi.

The YMCA Indian Student Hostel is one of YMCA Indias nine national development projects. Launched in 1920,the hostel welcomes Indian students studying in the capital, is a cultural centre and conference facility. Anjayjoined the YMCA Indian Student Hostel in 2007, and will serve as general secretary for three years.

Why did you choose to come to live in London?My passage to the UK began in 1982 when I visited at the invitation of the YMCA in Portsmouth. I came back

in 1986 to visit YMCAs in Wales for a three-month study tour. I also completed a professional course with theYMCA George Williams College.

What do you enjoy about visiting England?

I owe a lot to England, when I first visited my eyes were opened to the wide variety of opportunities the YMCAin England offers. I also enjoy the culture. Im fond of old castles, cathedrals, monasteries and abbeys. I havefantastic friends here and I enjoy of theatre, particularly Shakespeares plays.

What links are there between YMCAs in the UK and India?Calcutta YMCA and Swansea YMCA were twinned. We started what we called the International Work Camp in1985. A lot of people became YMCA leaders and volunteers through the work camp programme. One of thesewas a very good friend of mine, David Bedford [now chair of YMCA Englands National Board]. We recentlycaught up after nearly 20 years.

What can the YMCA in India offer to young people in England now?

You have to understand why they do what they do. Young people have often had such bitter experiences intheir families, which has left a scar in them. Theres a lot of emptiness in their lives. We at the YMCA of Indiawould love to help in any way we can to show them the alternative path of peace and reconciliation.

Learn more about the current activities and history of the YMCA Indian Student Hostel here:www.indianymca.org

ABOVE: DJ Mark Hill ABOVE: Four Kornerz

ABOVE: Pulz


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EXTENDED SERVICES

Partnership iskey toextended servicesByJoy Namayanja, extended services advisor

The first meeting of the extended servicesreference group took place in February. Madeup of representatives from YMCAs, 4Children,ContinYou and statutory organisations, the groupmade excellent progress.

Discussions on the day concentrated on thechallenge of designing sustainable extended serviceprogrammes and we also looked at what supportYMCAs need to address these challenges.

The group felt that:

It is vital to establish trust between school

management teams and YMCAs

YMCAs must identify the unique selling points thatmake them best suited to providing extendedservices

YMCAs must be strategically placed to contributefully to the development of activities and services

YMCAs must form partnerships with key playersto identify gaps in provision

Head teachers will always want evidence ofhow extended services will impact on meetingtheir targets

ABOVE:After school activities at West Bromwich YMCA

DIRECT MARKETING

Young people get active in politicsByZoe Harris, participation project coordinator

More than 140 young people came to Claim YourVoice events in its first year, and we are lookingfor more YMCAs to take part in 2008.

The project now operates in the Midlands, SouthWest and North West regions. We are looking for moreyoung people in those areas to sign up for free trainingresidentials, which will take place in May and June

2008. Places are limited so please book soon.Young people who participated in the project in 2007

went on to host events attended by MPs and represent-atives from the police, Racial Equality and local council.

Claim Your Voice is a three-year ElectoralCommission funded project that aims to increase thepolitical participation of young people aged 16 to 25who are involved with local YMCAs. The project offersyoung people the opportunity to get involved throughtraining residentials, local events and workshops.

If you are interested and would like to find out more,please contact me: [email protected] 020 7061 3325. www.claimyourvoice.org.uk

OFFENDERS SERVICES

Pilot project giveshope to youngpeople in prisonByCalum Thornton, project worker

We recently ran a successful pilot xl club at HerMajestys Young Offenders Institute Wetherbyin West Yorkshire. The pilot was the first xl clubto have been successfully run in a secureestablishment.

Princes Trust xl clubs target young people facingdifficulties in education. Deliberately informal, the clubsseek to re-engage and motivate young people. Clubmembers learn to take responsibili ty, develop socialskills and enjoy the benefits of teamwork.

Out of 16 young people identified as indiv iduals whocould benefit from the course, eight were selected totake part. All but two of the group stayed on until theend, one of these was released early and the othertransferred to another institute.

The group set their own ground rules and timetable,and chose the topics they wanted to look at. Althoughinitially wary of each other, by the end of the six weeksthey worked well as a group supporting and lookingout for each other.

Working toward their bronze ASDAN award, thegroup decided to design a leaflet for young peoplenew to the prison system. The excellent user-friendlyintroduction was taken up by the induction s taff atWetherby, which they now hand out to new inmates.

Over the weeks I learnt a lot about the young people.They were fun to be with and worked hard nothing likethe bad stories Id heard from other areas of the prison.Those that are still here when the next course startswant to take their silver ASDAN award.

Staff from YMCA Englands Offenders Services Unitwill be at National Assembly in April, and we are happyto talk about our work and how your YMCA can getinvolved. Look out for the team at coffee breaks!www.prisonsunit.ymca.org.uk

The clubs seek to re-engage

and motivate young people.

ABOVE: Southampton YMCA Claim Your Voice team

DIRECT MARKETING

Supporters hopefor young offendersByRajesh Bhayani,head of direct marketing and legacies

Weve been busy over the last few monthsraising awareness of the work of the YMCA, andcelebrating its achievements. Homelessness is stilla key focus for appeals, but recent communicationwith existing and potential supporters hashighlighted our work in prisons and Step-Inyouth homelessness project.

Last September we wrote to supporters asking theirviews on young people and offending behaviour. Theresponse was very positive in terms of both quantity

and quality. We receivedmore than 2,000 responses,with the great majority ofsupporters expressingoptimism about the futureprospects of young ex-offenders. See the chart,right, for details.

Recently we also expandedour FreshStart supporternewsletter, allowing us toshare more YMCA storieswith supporters. The March2008 issue features

selected highlights from YMCAs across the countryincluding Sunderland, Guildford and Eastbourne.To order your copy contact

Charlene Vallory, direct marketing offi cer,on [email protected] 020 7061 3331.

RoomSponsor reactionWe have received more than 160 letters fromsupporters in response to our January RoomSponsorsupdate. Updates are sent quarterly and includepersonal letters from RoomSponsor residents.

Heres an extract from a letter received from a supporterin response to a progress update from Oliver, the youngperson she supports through monthly donations:

I was thrilled to learn how Oliver has continuedto develop and grow in confidence, and is clearlydetermined to make the most of all the opportuni tieswith which he has been provided. I express myadmiration for all that you do to enhance the livesof the young people who come to you for help.Im delighted to be associated with it.

SUPPORTERSURVEY:Young people and offending

With the right support, do you believe a young person that

has committed a crime can turn their life around?

82%agreed 3%disagreed

By addressing young peoples spiritual and physical needs

are vulnerable young people less likely to turn to crime?

68%agreed 4%disagreed

Did you know that YMCA work with young offenders

significantly reduces re-offending? 37%said yes

ABOVE: FreshStart newsletter

The main conclusion drawn at the meeting washow important it is to build relationships and work inpartnership with key organisations, such as schools.

Comingsoon the full results of a mappingexercise undertaken into existing YMCAprovision of extended services.


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YMCAmeetings15 Apr Const itut ion committee

2 4 A pr P en si on s d ir ect or s

26 Apr Nat iona l boa rd of trustees

08 May Development and housing committee

14 May Regional Executive Officers24-hour meeting

20 May Standards steer ing group

21 May South East regional committee

2 2 Ma y Re gi on al c ha ir s

03 Jun Southern regional committee

05 Jun South West regional executive

09 Jun Const itut ion committee / North West regional committee

1 0 J un Mo vem en t t ru st fu nd

1 2 J un F in an ce co mmi tt ee

17 Jun North East regional executive

1 9 Ju n E mp loymen t co mm it te e

25 Jun Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshireregional executive

Great Northrunners required!BySarada Chaudhuri, trust fundraiser

Last years Great North Run raised over 5,000 forthe YMCA, and you can help us to top that in 2008!YMCA England has 20 places in the worlds biggesthalf-marathon on Sunday 5 October.

The 13.1-mile course across the North Eastfrom Newcastle to South Shields, takes in famouslandmarks such as the Tyne Bridge and the GatesheadStadium. Although challenging, you will be raisingmoney for young people across England. The daypromises to be great fun too.

We offer an excellent package of fundraising, trainingadvice and support, contact with other runners, a freerunning vest and more. In return we ask for a minimumsponsorship of 300, and a firm commitmentto training to complete the race.

To take part in this years run contact me [email protected] 020 7061 3344.

London MarathonvolunteersneededIts nearly time for the London Marathon, Sunday

13 April, when tens of thousands of people will taketo the streets to raise money for charity. A team of27 YMCA runners will take part, many representingtheir YMCA.

We are looking for volunteers to help us on the day,cheering on our runners at our base in Greenwich,and meeting and greeting the team at the post-racehospitality. If you can give just a few hours to supportour wonderful YMCA runners, contact me on thedetails above. Good luck to Team YMCA on the 13th!www.ymca.org.uk/londonmarathon

Conferences andevents30 Apr-4 May YMCA Europe General Assembly 2008

YMCA Europe Training Centre, Litomysl, Czech RepublicLost in Translation? how YMCAs across Europe can be onewww.ymcaeurope.com

27-30 Jun Young Carers Fest ivalYMCA Fairthorne Manor, Curdridge, Southampton

The biggest gathering of young carers in the worldPeter Cooper 01489 785228

22-25 Aug Greenbelt 2008 rising sunCheltenham Racecourse

Find a line-up of top bands, speakers and performers at this Christian arts festival

www.greenbelt.org.uk21 Nov Y Fest: a national festival

Bethel Convention Centre, West Bromwich

Celebrating the YMCA in England: who we are, and who we can [email protected]

ABOVE: YMCA Garden Party venue

ABOVE: Great North Runners, Clare Joof, Roger Lewis

and Laura MacDonald

Summer gardenparty forYMCA supportersByJenny Collins, major gifts officer

Step-Instats

Young peopleaged 16 and 17...

...given a safe place to live 28

...back in contact with family 9

...returned to family home 7

...learnt about the reality

of homelessness 224

More lodgings for young people

More beds available for young people 18

Communityhost places offered 6

Partner organisations helped to

develop youth homeless services 120

YMCA England is holding a gardenparty in Richmond upon Thames,Surrey, to celebrate the YMCAswork with young people. The event,hosted by supporters Baron andBaroness van Dedem, takes place onSunday 15 June from 14.00 to 17.00.Among the activities will be

performances from young people, local

jazz musicians and a chance to drinktea from a lovingly refurbished wartimeYMCA Tea Car, which will be making aspecial appearance.

Guests will also have the opportunityto learn about some of the rich historyof the area, which dates back to Tudortimes. The magnificent RichmondPalace once stood on the groundsand its original gatehouse still exists.

Were keen to get lots of youngpeople involved in the event. Inparticular we are looking for giftedmusicians or dance groups to perform,as well as volunteers to help the dayrun smoothly. So, if youd like a greatday out and the chance to show off

your skills please contact me.Alternatively, if youd simply like

to come along, tickets cost 5 andinclude a soft drink and cake. For more

details on how to take part, or book your ticket contact [email protected] 020 7061 3327.

All money raised will go towards the YMCA Step-In Project,which tackles the root causes of homelessness, particularlyamong those aged 16 and 17. You can learn more about thebig impact Step-In is making in the progress report below.

HOUSING UNIT

Making a big differenceto young homeless people

ByEmily Petheram, Step-In project coordinator

Our Step-In project to tackle homelessness among 16 to 17year olds is progressing well, with 11 staff members workingin six areas. The project is making a real difference in the lives

of young people, rebuilding relationships with friends andfamilies. In many cases the young person has successfullyreturned to their family home, or been given help to find safeaccommodation.

We are organising the first placements with supported lodgingsschemes a great example of YMCAs and hosts working togetherto help young people rebuild their lives.

Through Step-In, we have learnt many lessons about youthhomelessness and how to develop a realistic and achievableresponse to the problem. As the schemes flourish, we expectthe projects performance to continue to improve and bothprofessionals and young people experience more positive results.

For further updates and progress reports visitwww.communities.gov.uk/youthhomelessnessor contactme [email protected] details.

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