In the News

Bridgwater YMCA HOME Projects making a difference to young people in homelessness

As part of Sedgemoor District Council’s strategy to tackle Youth Homelessness and in partnership with Bridgwater YMCA, a package of services, HOME Projects, has been developed to assist in the prevention and support of young people who may find themselves in threat of, or in actual homeless crisis.

The Housing, Options, Mediation & Education Projects include a Nightstop in Sedgemoor, family mediation service, schools awareness programme and a tenant accreditation scheme.

Nightstop

Nightstop in Sedgemoor is a service where a young person, aged 16-25 yrs who is homeless, will be given a safe, supportive place to stay with a host. Our staff will then assist them as they explore their housing options or support them to return to the family home. A Nightstop Host is a special person as it is they who offer a safe, supportive environment in their home to a young person.

Nightstop is affiliated with DePaul UK. Nightstop, while new to Sedgemoor, has been running for nearly 25 years with over 45 Nightstop programmes across the UK.

There are times when all a young person needs is a safe space to find solutions and start to rebuild family relationships or explore their housing needs and options open to them. The reality Nightstop is trying to prevent is that of a young person finding themselves in a vulnerable situation or sleeping rough on the streets.

Becoming a host is more than just offering a room, It’s making a difference.

For more information on hosting please come to our information evening on 11th August 2010 5.30pm to 8pm at Hope Baptist Church, Highbridge.

Family Mediation

The family mediation service is there to support young people and their families to resolve any differences or issues so a young person is able to stay in the family home, where appropriate.

Schools Awareness Programme

The Schools Awareness Programme will deliver a workshop in schools to raise young people’s awareness of homelessness, the issues young people can face when they are homeless and what a young person can do to try and get support earlier to prevent them becoming homeless or finding themselves in a vulnerable situation

Tenant Accreditation Scheme

The Tenant Accreditation Scheme is a six week training programme to help young people gain an understanding and knowledge about having their own home and the responsibilities that come with it. The course will cover:

About a Tenancy
Looking after a home
Housing costs
Looking after myself, staying safe
Where to look for support and advice

And is aimed at young people aged 16-25 yrs who want to access housing in the private sector or through homefinders Choice Based Lettings.

 

Myplace youth consultation session

On Thursday 8th April a small group of young people were brought together to offer them the opportunity to contribute ideas for the interior design and use of two spaces which will be used by the community within the new Bridgwater YMCA centre currently under construction. The two areas which were focused on included the café area and sanctuary room.

The Sanctuary

The young people decided that the use of this area should be predominantly for relaxing and reflecting. The room should provide a quiet and welcoming environment where individuals can remove themselves from their hectic lives and chill out.

The Cafe

The young people concluded that the café area should look fresh, modern and welcoming to all ages. The young people also felt it was important that as the café is a mutli functioning environment (ICT area, eating area, chilling area and meeting style area) and that each area should maintain its own identity through differences in furnishings.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the young people who attended the consultation session for their contributions toward the day. It was a very inspiring afternoon with much debate and reflection.

A big thank you to:
Emily Rowland
Lily Rowland
Emma Willoughby
Melissa Standen
Rob James
Joel Monteith
Alistair McKay
Kai Archer
Nathan Partner
Steph Finlayson
Vicki Edser

To read the Youth Consultation Summary please click here

 

Easter Celebration April 2010

15th April 2010

Easter was celebrated at the Bridgwater YMCA in style as Rev Julia Hicks invited all staff and residents to take a helium filled balloon and write their thoughts on an attached label. Radiant sunshine beckoned and the balloons were released into ‘infinity and beyond‘!  Tea and coffee was then served accompanied by delicious homemade cakes, created by residents and staff and enjoyed by all.
 
A mixed resident and staff team did battle in fiercely contested badminton tournament, with a pool competition in the afternoon. Easter Eggs were handed out to participants of the badminton tournament whilst the winner of the pool competition received a trophy. 

Andrew Pearce
Senior Foyer Support Worker 

 

Bridgwater YMCA Foyer secures £2 million to improve young peoples housing

Release date: 01 April 2010

Young people at Bridgwater YMCA Foyer will soon benefit from a new state of the art accommodation facility after the charity secured £2 million funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to support the development.

The national housing and regeneration agency is investing in plans to continue the transformation of the YMCA in Friarn Avenue. The investment will help replace the current 30 bed scheme with new 43 bed accommodation, which will accompany office space and an apprentice training facility.

The scheme will be built to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes - a higher environmental standard than most new developments - and include measures such as solar power to help reduce emission levels. It will be based next to the new £4 million multi-use centre, which is also currently being built.

Bridgwater YMCA Chief Executive Martin Hodgson said: "It's been quite a journey. We began working with our young people and the wider community as to how we could further improve our facilities in 2007 to ensure we got the right mix of facilities and this news is the final piece of the jigsaw."

In the past year, Bridgwater YMCA Foyer has secured more than £6.5 million in investment to create new modern buildings with facilities for the whole community, including health, fitness and housing support. With the support of local architects Smith Gamblin a site wide plan of modernisation will be achieved.

The £2 million investment from the HCA has been made through the National Affordable Housing Programme, set up to deliver new affordable homes across England. The development at Bridgwater YMCA has also been supported by Sedgemoor District Council throughout the process.

Colin Molton, the HCA's regional director in the South West, said: "This is an excellent proposal which will see high quality housing provided for young people who need support at an important time in their lives.

"We are very pleased to be able to support this scheme, which brings together the key elements of accessible housing, training and support for young people in Bridgwater."

The Council's Affordable Housing Policy and Development Manager, Duncan Harvey said: "The YMCA has a pivotal role locally offering high quality, well managed and supportive housing to young people. We have identified that more younger people's housing is needed across Sedgemoor and we are keen to support the YMCA's expansion plans. Securing this investment is tremendous news and is testament to all the hard work put in by both organisations."

The build which received planning permission last November will commence immediately. Pollards have being selected to lead on the construction alongside their current work on site. The young people who currently live in the accommodation will move to Thorncombe House in Sydenham whilst the development gets underway.

It is anticipated that the building will be completed and ready for occupation before March 2011.

 

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

Thursday 25th March 2010

Bridgwater YMCA is pleased to announce that from 21st April outdoor activity staff will be delivering the D of E scheme as part of the outdoor activities after school programmes. Sessions will be running on Wednesday’s from 4pm – 6pm.

Young people can find out more about the DofE scheme by looking on the official DofE website

It’s STILL easy with EASYLINE!

Thursday 25th March 2010

Bridgwater YMCA understands that exercising can at times feel like a chore. This is why we have introduced Technogym’s new state of the art and innovative training method – EASYLINE. Sessions have been running as part of the exercise class programme since January and have been enjoyed by customers.

So if you want to exercise at your own personal fitness level with a truly versatile system in a friendly environment don’t hesitate, EASYLINE could be the ideal workout for you!

For more details please call 01287 422511

Bristol’s biggest bike ride

Friday 29th January 2010

Bristol’s biggest bike ride is an annual event run by Bristol City Council. This event is being held on Sunday 20th June 2010.

Bridgwater YMCA are entering a team consisting of:

• Nicky Parfitt Bridgwater YMCA Sports and Activities Manager
• Anneka Russ Bridgwater YMCA Outdoor Activities Instructor
• Jon Clarey Bridgwater YMCA Board Member
• Becky Chinnock Bridgwater YMCA Duty Officer/Fitness Instructor

We will all be attempting to do the maximum distance of 38 miles. Your sponsorship will go towards Friends of Bridgwater YMCA and aid the work that Bridgwater YMCA does with young people and the wider community.

If you would like to contribute towards sponsoring the Bridgwater YMCA team you can forward your donations/sponsorship to Friends of Bridgwater YMCA, Bridgwater YMCA Foyer, George Williams House, Friarn Avenue, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3RF.

Download the sponsorship form here

Special fundraising activities to support this event will be listed on the Friends of Bridgwater YMCA page so keep your eyes open for more ways to give.

Thank you

Exciting New Workout Available at Bridgwater YMCA!

Friday 29th January 2010

Bridgwater YMCA understands that exercising can at times feel like a chore. This is why we always try to seek out new and exciting exercise programmes. With building work underway on the new Bridgwater YMCA state of the art complex, we have been looking for new and innovative ways to exercise. As a result of consultation and investigation Bridgwater YMCA are pleased to announce that an innovation in fitness has arrived!

The Technogym EASYLINE Circuit Training system is a revolutionary new training method. With thickly padded upholstery and state of the art hydraulics EASYLINE is stylish and functional making it an ideal work out for all fitness levels. Set in a circle the equipment covers all the main muscle groups with cardio steps placed in between to work your heart and lungs. The unique push and pull set-up of the EASYLINE make it suitable for all ages and abilities. Exercisers can benefit from the ease of mobility and the ergonomic design.

The benefits of this new system include;

• Ideal for weight loss
• Increase muscle tone
• Great workout for all ages
• Suitable for all fitness levels
• Exciting and innovative
• Full body workout

EASYLINE sessions are available now, choose from an express workout (30 minute classes) or a full workout (one hour) or do both!

Day	Time	Class Type	Age range
Monday	12.00pm—12.30pm	Express Workout	16 + years
Tuesday	12.00pm – 12.30pm	Express Workout	16 + years
Tuesday	4.00pm—4.45pm	Kidz Workout	10—15 years
Wednesday	12.00pm – 12.30pm	Express Workout	16 + years
Thursday	12.00pm – 12.30pm	Express Workout	16 + years
Thursday	7.00pm—8.00pm	Midweek Workout	16 + years
Friday	4.00pm—4.45pm	Kidz Workout	10—15 years
Saturday	9.00am—10.00am	Weekend Workout	16 + years

So if you want to exercise at your own personal fitness level with a truly versatile system in a friendly environment don’t hesitate, EASYLINE at Bridgwater YMCA is the ideal workout for you! For more details please call 01287 422511

New YMCA building taking shape 'on budget and on time'

Friday 29th January 2010

Building work on Bridgwater's new £4million YMCA building is on time and on budget, bosses say.

Chief executive Martin Hodgson told the Mercury this week the ambitious eco-friendly project is now a third of the way to completion while the frame of the youth and community facility has been built.

He said: “It's been great since the main frame has gone up - there has been a fantastic amount of interest in the building and its purpose.

“The response from community groups and individuals who are looking to use the building once completed has been overwhelming.”

The £4.3million development, which is expected to be complete by mid-October, will replace the organisation's current Friarn Avenue home.

The charity promises to deliver a “safe, vibrant state-of-the-art youth and community hub, which has been designed for and by young people”.

It will also boast green heating and energy supply systems while an on-site wind turbine will produce most of its electricity, and rainwater recycling will reduce water consumption by up to a third.

Andy Coward, project manager for Bridgwater-based builders Pollards, said: “It's a great opportunity to work with the YMCA and provide opportunities for some of the young people they support.

“We have one full time member of staff employed through the YMCA and as the build progresses Pollards are looking to create more opportunities for young people to gain an experience of the construction industry.”

For more information call Bridgwater YMCA on 01278-422511.

 

Haygrove students enjoy climbing and canoeing course

Wednesday 16th December 2009

These pictures show students from Haygrove School in Bridgwater enjoying a course in climbing and canoeing at the town’s YMCA.

The course is part of the students’ certificate in personal effectiveness with the aim of taking responsibility for their own learning and performance.

 

Meanwhile some other students from the school are pictured with residents and staff from the Ivy House Day Centre in Bridgwater donating a Christmas hamper.

Myplace Southern Festival

Friday 4th December 2009

Back in August this year building work started on Bridgwater YMCA’s £4.3million 'world class' youth facility thanks to the Myplace programme.

The myplace programme is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and delivered by the Big Lottery Fund (BIG). It is funding world-class projects across England that are working to create safe places for young people to go, where they can get involved in a wide range of exciting activities and get information and advice from people they trust.

More recently staff from Bridgwater YMCA took a group of 5 young people to the Myplace Southern festival event on Saturday 7th November at Avon Tyrrell in the New Forest.

The Myplace festival was an opportunity for young people from all Southern Myplace projects to come together and share what their experience of Myplace has been in a lively and interactive environment. The young people were given the chance to get involved in workshops throughout the day as well as participate in some exciting activities including high ropes and zip wires. The day offered the young people a chance to learn and share ideas and views on different aspects of their project and to gain new skills.

The festivals are for young people involved in Myplace projects and aim to help put young people in the driving seat for their programme. The festival was organised by the Myplace Youth Consultants who were aged between 18 – 25 years who work as part of the national Myplace support team.

Our group of young people benefited enormously from the day. The group attended workshops on Governance and citizenship. In addition they took part in a high ropes session and zip wire course which challenged them both physically and mentally. The day was a great success and very inspiring.

Youngsters go the extra mile for the Community Policing Awards

YOUNG people from Bridgwater YMCA have been getting a behind the scenes tour of policing to say thank you for their hard-work in promoting this year’s Community Policing Awards.

To mark the start of Inside Justice Week the six teenagers got a tour of Weston-super-Mare police station.
Volunteer Richard Davis said: “We’ve had a VIP view of policing and it’s been really interesting. We’ve seen inside the station, the custody cells and spent time with the police dogs. The dogs are amazing, they have their eyes on everything, seeing them in action is a real experience.”

Leading the tour PC Amanda Butson said: “It’s great to be able to give young people an opportunity like this and in this case to say thank you for their hard work.

“The vast majority of people have never been inside a police station before and it’s important to show people how we work so they can better understand our role.”

The Community Policing Awards jointly organised by Avon and Somerset Police Authority and Constabulary asks the public to nominate their ‘Best on the Beat.’

Police Authority Chair Dr Moira Hamlin said: “Today offered the young people a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the police. Inside Justice Week is a great platform for this, as it’s the one time the public can get the chance to find out more about the agencies involved in Criminal Justice System.
“We were really pleased with all the hard work that the volunteers put into the Community Policing Awards and we were glad that we could say thank you in this way.”

Nominations are being accepted until November 30 for Neighbourhood Beat Manager of the Year, PCSO of the Year, Special Constable of the Year, Neighbourhood Team of the Year and the Outstanding Customer Service Award.

Nomination forms are available at police stations, Waitrose stores or online at www.communitypolicingawards.org.uk.

Inside Justice Week is running from 17 - 24 October and aims to open up the Criminal Justice System to members of the public.

The awards are possible thanks to generous sponsorship from Unison, Rolls Royce, OR Consulting, BT, Jupiter Asset Management, Record Consultancy, Burleigh Press, Weston College, Somerset County Council, The Western Daily Press, Bristol Evening Post, Western Provident Association, The Medlock Charitable Trust and LEBC.

Bridgwater homeless hostel to close

Monday 21st September 2009

A HOMELESS hostel in Bridgwater looks set to be turned into affordable housing, after a drop-off in the number of people needing refuge.

The ownership of Thorncombe House, on Sydenham's Parkway, and Wade House, in Highbridge, which provide emergency accommodation, will both be transferred from Sedgemoor District Council to the YMCA by April.

The Mercury understands an emergency accommodation service will be run out of Wade House, while Thorncombe House will be turned into affordable housing.

Sedgemoor District Council said the move would prove more cost-effective and lead to improved service.
Duncan Harvey, the council's affordable housing manager, told the Mercury: “The council's positive approach to tackling homelessness means we do not need to house so many people in our hostels.
“This is good news and taking the decision to transfer these properties to the YMCA means that an emergency homeless persons housing service can be maintained.“ In 2007 all 20 rooms in Thorncombe House were being used by people, mainly families, with no other place to stay.

But two years later there are just two families left in the emergency accommodation - a fact that owes much to the council's proactive approach to homelessness, according to Martin Hodgson, chief executive of Bridgwater YMCA.

He said: “It is due to the good work of Sedgemoor's service in re-housing the homeless.”
Jerry Milton, from the council's homeless service, re-enforced that view.

He told the Mercury: “We have put a massive effort into preventing homelessness.

“Everything is aimed at keeping people in their own homes - looking at early intervention.”

Jerry added that homeless applications to Sedgemoor District Council had almost halved from 2007/08 to last year and the authority recorded 149 cases where homelessness was prevented.

EMERGENCY hostel plans revealed

20th September 2009

EMERGENCY homeless hostels are set to be revamped and taken over by a new organisation

Due to a decrease in the amount of people needing to use the vital accommodation, Sedgemoor District Council decided it was time to transfer the ownership to a well-known charity.

The council has been in discussions with the Bridgwater YMCA over the future of both Thorncombe House in Bridgwater and Wade House in Highbridge.

The shift of Thorncombe House is proposed to take place in December, with the Wade House transfer planned for April next year.

A council spokesman said: "Both organisations will be conducting a formal consultation with local residents and other interested parties over the coming weeks to determine the longer term future of both hostels.

"Initial proposals will see the YMCA continue to provide emergency housing for the homeless from one of the hostels."

The decision will allow the authority to support the continued provision of emergency housing for homeless people, but in a far more cost-effective way.

The YMCA now intends to look into how they can improve the physical aspects of the hostels, whilst being able to bring their own experience and resources to support future hostel residents.

Duncan Harvey, Sedgemoor's affordable housing manager said: "The council's positive approach to tackling homelessness means we do not need to house so many people in our hostels.

"We have acted swiftly to reduce the on-going financial impact of a budget shortfall to the tax payers of the district.

Bridgwater YMCA building work underway

Tuesday 25th August 2009

 

 

 

A CEREMONY was held at the YMCA in Bridgwater yesterday to mark the start of work on the new £multi-million building. Civic leaders and YMCA members and staff looked on as contractors Pollards dug the first piece of turf.

Building work is expected to be complete in around a year's time.

Work to start on multi-million pound YMCA facility

Monday 10th August 2009

WORK on a multi-million pound youth facility for Bridgwater is set to get underway next week.

Almost exactly a year ago, Bridgwater YMCA announced plans to replace its current home with a £4.3million 'world class' youth facility.

This week YMCA chief executive Martin Hodgson updated the Mercury on the progress of the development - and revealed two big leaps forward have been made.

Construction of the new facility is due to start next Monday, August 24, and following a lengthy tender process, Pollards of Bridgwater have been chosen as the contractors to carry out the work.

The YMCA also expects the new building, which will boast the latest in green technology, to be ready by next summer before being opened in September 2010.

Martin said: “This is such an exciting time. The last eight months seem to have passed so slowly and we have been waiting to start digging.

“We have had great support from our local community, Sedgemoor District Council and local contractors such as Smith Gamblin Architects - it really will feel like Bridgwater's building.”

Martin also said he is delighted Pollards were selected from the tendering process as the original YMCA building in Eastover was built by the firm.

He added: “We will look forward to keeping the people of Bridgwater up to date with the development.

“The young people involved in the tendering process have requested a webcam on the site which will go live in the next month so everyone can see how the build is progressing.”