Over 100 staff currently works for the YMCA, supported by in excess of 110 volunteers.
At the heart of its longevity, is the YMCA’s ability to adapt and meet the needs of today’s Young People and their communities, working with them regardless of gender, race, religion or culture. In every corner of the world, the YMCA is helping people build a future. The work we do everyday impacts on the lives of Young People and their families in the local community.
The YMCA in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough began working locally in 1852, when it was established in Cambridge City. Since then it has grown to serve communities across the County and into Peterborough City.
YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough is a Christian Charity working to enable communities, families and especially Young People, to grow to their full potential by participating in a supportive and inclusive society, through all our projects, including housing, youth work and health and fitness.
Queen Anne House (Cambridge) – 112 rooms including 32 for Anglia Ruskin University students. A mixture of self- contained flats and rooms sharing kitchens and bathrooms are offered. Although the maximum stay is two years, the average stay is 48 weeks
Time Stop (Peterborough) – 22 rooms made up of bedsits sharing bathrooms and a central kitchen. Maximum stay here is just 12 weeks.
Cresset (Peterborough) – 90 self-contained flats. Again the maximum stay here is two years, with an average stay of 60 weeks.
YMCA Owned Houses (Peterborough and Huntingdon) – six houses used to offer more independent living and, in partnership with Social Care, house Young People leaving the Care System.
All of our residents are allocated a Key Worker who supports them and agrees action plans to help the person into their own home, as well as work, training or education. They also receive life skills training like budgeting, cooking, personal care and relationships.
Health & Wellbeing
Fitness Gyms (Cambridge and Peterborough) – the YMCA operates two gyms. Each one has a range of equipment including fitness/weight machines, cardio-vascular machines and free weights. There is a friendly, relaxed atmosphere with a number of membership types to suit all budgets and frequency of use.
Community Exercise – this service works with people who would normally find access to exercise difficult. This includes people with physical or learning disabilities, people with cardiac issues, stroke survivors and those with a degenerative condition. It also works with ex-offenders and children excluded from school.
Support & Advice
Counselling Service – covering Peterborough, Fenland and Huntingdonshire, this project uses professionally trained volunteers to work with Young People aged 13 to 25. Many clients self-refer, but we also work with GP Surgeries, schools and other local agencies.
Appropriate Adult Service – a project working with Young People at what can be a stressful and vulnerable time. This service provides trained volunteers to act as an independent support for Young People during their time in Police custody and ensures their interests, and rights, are protected.
Reparation Service – a service that ensures young offenders complete the reparation element of their Community Sentence. It offers opportunities for rehabilitation, learning new skills and positive community service.
No Cracks Project – a project funded by the Big Lottery. This works with young offenders from just before release from prison, through their return to local communities and beyond. It works to provide bespoke support to prevent re-offending through a team of dedicated Key Workers.
Family Work
Girton Youth Project – working in Girton Village, outside Cambridge, to provide activities for local children and young adults. It encourages participation by the members and offers both regular weekly clubs and holiday activities. Fun and positivity are the key words.
Retail
We have a new shop opening in Cambridge, specialising in Vintage and upcycling.
Training & Education
Access to Employment – this is a programme which offers support in all aspects of a clients job search and journey back to employment or training. It helps with creating or updating CV’s and offers advice and guidance in completing applications.
Fitness Instructor Training – offering formal qualifications, from an NVQ Level 1 basic award through to NVQ Level 3 Personal Trainer awards. This can be for people already in the fitness industry, or those wanting to start a career.
First Aid Training – delivering nationally recognised certificates in both the one day Emergency First Aid at Work course and three day First Aid at Work course. These courses can be adapted for a particular client group, for example Young People, Pediatric and office based settings.
Participation – The Young Peoples Panel is an established group of youth volunteers under the age of 25. They meet each month to discuss elements of our work and provide feedback or solutions on service issues. This information is important to us as we use this to shape, design and develop our services to ensure the best for our young people.
