Hayley’s Story – YMCA Rugeley Housing

Posted by & filed under Blogs, Housing, News & Events.

Happy and laughing young woman

Stock photo used to protect identity. Hayley was referred to the YMCA in Rugeley when she was 17 years old. A relationship breakdown with family due to domestic violence left her homeless. Hayley was desperate for accommodation and was able to access one of our emergency bed spaces.  She arrived with her social worker in…

Alec’s Story – Wolverhampton Housing

Posted by & filed under Blogs, Housing.

Young man in hard hat and safety goggles working on electrics outside.

My Name is Alec, I came to live at YMCA Wolverhampton Housing in 2018 at the age of 16, I am now 21. Before I moved into YMCA I lived with my family. My childhood was difficult, due to my chaotic family situation which eventually led to my mom and step-dad leaving me to start…

Poppy’s Story – Moving Forward Fund

Posted by & filed under Blogs, Fundraising, Project News.

Young smiling black girl, sitting in her own flat, smiling whilst talking to a friend off camera.

Name and photo changed to protect identity. Poppy had previously lived with a partner and had their own tenancy but after a break up, Poppy found herself in a lot of debt, as all of the bills had been in her name. She saw coming to YMCA as a backward step initially and was reluctant…

Az’s Story – YMCA Mentoring

Posted by & filed under Blogs, Project News, Training.

Young man in a beanie hat, standing in street, smiling to camera.

Az initially sought support from the YMCA following a stroke and subsequent rehabilitation at West Park Hospital. Upon referral, AZ articulated her need for assistance in employment seeking and confidence-building, addressing her struggles with depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. She also disclosed the challenges stemming from an abusive past relationship, including family exclusion, fertility issues,…

YMCA’s Curiosity Approach to Christmas Crafts

Posted by & filed under Blogs, Childcare.

child looking to camera with his paint covered hands in the air. Text on image reads BLOG POST Your Child has been busy learning

  Written by Mel Braden, Executive Head of Nurseries & Quality Here at YMCA Black Country Group we all absolutely loves Christmas. I’m worse than the children when it comes to getting excited. However, just because it’s the festive season that doesn’t mean we forget our child-led principles. Child-led learning is when a child is offered…

Zanko’s Story

Posted by & filed under Blogs, Housing, Latest News, News & Events, Project News.

Zanko arrived in the UK after fleeing from Iran in 2021 at the age of 16. Due to his age he was picked up by Children’s Services and placed with a foster family where he thrived and became part of the family, speaking very little English, Zanko was enrolled on an ESOL course. When Zanko…

Daryna’s Story

Posted by & filed under Blogs, News & Events.

Young women sat in a chair talking to camera

Daryna (pronounced Dasha) came to live at the YMCA City Gateway back in June 2023 on a sponsorship programme from the Ukraine to offer a safe place to live due to the war. During her time here she has made friends with other residents and engaged with resident drop-in, pizza nights and ‘breakfast on the go’ and…

A Fond Farewell (for now)

Posted by & filed under Blogs, Latest News.

A group of older people sat around a table smiling to camera

In the heart of Gornal, there is a truly remarkable place that Senior Mentor with the YMCA Gateway to Achieve Project, Jay Pyatt,  has been able to support over the past 18 months – Hope House, a place of collaboration, compassion, and community spirit that has touched the lives of many. Jay is now to…