Welcome to Bridgwater YMCA

‘Bridgwater YMCA - Opening Doors’

Our mission is

‘To open doors for the community to champion young people, creating and enabling sustainable opportunities for change and success’

Our Vision is

‘Over the next five years Bridgwater YMCA aims to continue to make a significant contribution to the needs of young people and the community, and be recognised for this. In order to provide for the future and continue to build a future we intend to expand both our services and our portfolio into the surrounding areas. Ensuring at all times that we offer sustainable solutions, which are strategically relevant and offer value for money to stakeholders and partners.’

Overview

Bridgwater YMCA Foyer provides supported accomodation for 53 young people at three sites.George Williams House situated at Bridgwater YMCA is a 30 bed unit adjacent to the Hamp and Victoria wards of Bridgwater. Young people with low to medium support needs are housed here. Riverbed House provides a 12 bed unit in Highbridge, which figures in the indices of Multiple Deprivation 2000, alongside Hamp and Victoria, amongst “Wards in worst 20%” for overall deprivation. Our move-on accommodation, a YMCA Managed Scheme, Clifford Searle House, is situated in the Victoria Ward and consists of 11 self contained flats.

Our focus is on helping disadvantaged young people aged 16-25, who are in housing need, to achieve the transition to independence. Based on a holistic approach to the young person’s needs, offering access to guidance, affordable accommodation and job searching facilities. Opportunities are available for residents to; talk to members of staff in confidence, explore their faith, get help with their personal and social development, and take part in activities such as outdoor pursuits or use of our fitness facilities. Specific support for relevant residents is encouraged from our onsite Drugs and Alcohol counsellor. Our team of Support staff offer advice, encouragement and support to the young people and our base in Bridgwater ensures access is available at all times.

Alongside Housing and support a variety of different activities are available on site at Bridgwater YMCA. These include canoeing, climbing, mountain biking and caving; each of these activities are available for schools, youth groups and individuals through our Daycamp schemes to access.

Our current facilites also offer access to fitness facilties, a floodlit hard court, a fullsize football pitch and to meeting space for upto 60 people.