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…
Kingston Samaritans are celebrating their 50th anniversary this weekend at All Saints Church in Kingston with a Thanksgiving Service at 2pm. Kingston Samaritans provide essential support to YMCA Surbiton hostel residents and we work closely with them. Two volunteers from Kingston Samaritans are at the hostel reception every Tuesday from 7.30pm and 9.30pm to offer…
Back by popular demand, Wild Camp Out returns to YMCA Hawker in Kingston on 14 and 15 July 2018. If you love camping and want a hassle-free outdoor adventure with your family and friends, this is ideal. Show the kids how to put up the tent, roll out the sleeping bags and set up camp….
The fantastic Khalsa Karate squad at YMCA Hawker is going from strength to strength with an amazing achievement in May. It won the accolade of being in the top 10 Karate Associations in Britain – and with only 13 competitiors in the first year, compared to much bigger Associations. “Proud of my squad is an…
Here at YMCA St Paul’s Group we’re celebrating Volunteers Week (1-7 June) and the people who give their time to us freely. We have volunteers of all ages and of all abilities who we are honoured to work with. Mirjan Kernaja, 19, has been volunteering with YMCA St Paul’s Group for the last two years…
As we celebrate International Volunteers Day, here’s a story about an inspirational 12-year-old volunteer who helped out at YMCA Hawker this summer. Ruby Pajibo was on holiday with her family in the UK, having flown all the way from her home town of Eden Prairie in Minnesota. Ruby’s mum, Alma, works for Southdale YMCA in Minnesota,…
