The SHAPE of Communities – YMCA’s strategy for 2025 – 2030

YMCA Black Country Group are proud to announce the launch of our new five-year strategic plan, The SHAPE of Communities, which sets out a bold vision for creating communities where people can belong, contribute, and thrive.

YMCA’s strategy, available to read or download below, is built around five core pillars—Safe, Healthy, Aspirational, Protected, and Engaged Communities—the strategy responds to the evolving needs of local people and reflects what stakeholders have told us matters most to them. It offers a clear framework for continuing to deliver YMCA services people value most, while also guiding new projects that address pressing challenges such as housing insecurity, mental health, and limited access to opportunity.

The strategy emerges from a period of significant growth for YMCA Black Country between 2020 and 2025, and recognises the growing pressures of reduced youth funding and a changing political and social landscape. Grounded in our Christian ethos, this plan reaffirms YMCA’s long-standing commitment to empowering young people and strengthening communities across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

Our goal for the next five years, is to improve the shape of communities, whether that be within our YMCA buildings, or individuals within the towns we are based across the Black Country, to inspire a sense of hope and belief that there is power in working together.

If you would be keen to work with us on developing projects or partnerships to help us meet our strategic aims, please contact Grace Maddocks, Head of Comms.