YMCA Walthamstow

Forest Founded

Forest YMCA was a later edition to the St Paul’s Group that serves Greater London. Founded in Walthamstow and named due to its location on Forest Road, it has since become a point of refuge for the area of East London.

Making Way for Better Things

Part of the Walthamstow building was demolished to make space for a new and improved gym. With this, all 150 residential rooms were upgraded and state-of-the-art equipment and facilities were made available. It was named The Bill Fletcher Building in honour of Walthamstow’s former treasurer.

Further Refurbishments

In order to better serve the community, the main building on Forest Road was also refurbished. Now one can find a new gym, sports hall which are central to our ethos of promoting happiness and health within the community, café and even more accommodation for our residents.

A Place to Call Home

The YMCA began to offer mYPads for those who are working over 30 hours a week but still struggling to rent in the private sector. By using converted shipping containers, we are able to offer more affordable housing for those facing homelessness, whilst also maintaining a high standard of living.

Joining the Rest

To demonstrate its wider reach, Forest YMCA was renamed YMCA Walthamstow. It then merged with the other YMCAs in West and Southwest London forming the St Paul’s Group, a nod to the YMCA’s origins as it was George Williams’ bible study, held in the churchyard, that started it all.