Ingrid Posada, 42, is a resident at YMCA Surbiton. Originally from Columbia, a talented singer/songwriter and a presenter on Relaks Radio, Ingrid was left homeless when she escaped domestic violence. She was in a formal relationship for just a year, but in that short space of time she suffered emotional and physical abuse, which left…
Group exercise classes are very popular at our centres, taught by committed and enthusiastic instructors. At YMCA Hawker in Kingston, there’s a great range to choose from such as Body Pump, Zumba and Tai Chi. The current Tai Chi class is on Tuesday mornings 9am-10am and on fine days takes place under the trees on…
Our Inclusive Lives project team won a Silver Award this month at the Merton Partnership Volunteer Awards, which was hosted by Merton Voluntary Services Council. It’s the Borough's annual celebration to acknowledge and pay thanks to the tremendous contribution that the thousands of local volunteers make to Merton. This year awards were presented by the...
It’s a special weekend on 4th and 5th August at YMCA South Ealing as the prestigious Nord Wing Chun Kung Fu school is visiting to hold a martial arts seminar for over 30 competitors from around the world. Wing Chun Kung Fu has had a huge surge in popularity because of the cult Ip Man…
Eid Aljazairli, 24, is a young Syrian refugee who lives at YMCA Walthamstow. He fled Damascus and came to the UK in 2016. His dream is to become an Olympic swimmer after being inspired by watching videos on the internet of US Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. “He was amazing, flying through the water,” says Eid….
Our newly launched Breakfast Club and Afterschool Club at St Mary’s Primary School, Chessington are a big hit with busy parents. Offering fun activities for children from Reception right through to Year 6, the clubs are run by a caring staff team. Breakfast Club Children are welcomed from 7.45am, where they are given a healthy breakfast…
Here’s Mohamed’s story of his torture in Afghanistan and his subsequent escape to the UK, where he was referred to YMCA. It’s not an easy read…but important to know what many refugees have endured. ‘My family had a successful and happy life in Afghanistan until the Taliban shot my father and cousin dead when I…
On Monday evening, 5pm-7pm, YMCA Walthamstow hosted a special Eid celebration meal for its residents and staff. It was open to all, but particularly special for many residents as it marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Around 60 residents attended, along with 10 staff. The café was decorated by Pauline…
Over the last year, the youth department based at YMCA John Innes Youth Club has been working very hard to complete its London Youth Silver Quality Mark. London Youth is committed to high quality youth work and helps support its members to achieve the highest standard they can. The Quality Mark provides organisations with a…
Over the past few months members of our Inclusive Lives Project have been working with Filmanthropy UK to produce a user-led fitness instruction video. It’s aimed at everyone in the community, to encourage people to get active, dance and have fun! Even our care givers got involved in the video, showing us how to use…
