YKIDS: TWO DECADES OF IMPACT AND INSPIRATION

Ykids began as a group of friends delivering children’s work at large Christian Conferences in 1988, and for many years, delivered church weekends, training and holiday clubs for churches and conferences up and down the UK. In 1998 we took on the name ‘Ykids’, after the sociology term Y generation – the children of generation X.

In 2002, Claire, our founder moved to Liverpool and became a community worker, falling in love with Bootle and its people, she began small projects with Ykids in her spare time.

Motivated by her Christian faith, a passion for the inner city, and a challenging childhood of her own, Claire felt called to support children and young people facing the harshest challenges of deprivation and those with fewest opportunities, and to give them a platform from which they could flourish despite their circumstances, for young people to feel secure, to know that they were loved, have positive role models and trusted adults in their lives.

In 2004 she stepped down from her community role and, with a part time salary, one volunteer and a huge vision she set Ykids up as a charity, working to bring hope and transformation to Bootle through its young people.

Ykids works across the Mersey region delivering projects and events but our community focus is in Bootle.

Ykids set down roots in Bootle in 2002. Historically an area that thrived with many industries because of the docks and with a strong community even if people were not amongst the most wealthy. However, decline in the 60’s which has continued for decades meant that Bootle has become one of the poorest communities in the UK with some areas ranking in the highest 1% in the multiple indices for deprivation.

Over the last 20 years, many have caught the vision to see the lives of young people and our whole community change, and we would not be here today if it were not for the dedication, skills and commitment of hundreds of volunteers and workers who have given so much of themselves.

Thousands of lives have been positively impacted by the work of Ykids, and we continue on our mission to enable young people to reach their full potential, break stereotypes and live full, productive and happy lives.

Bootle has seen a 17% increase in child poverty over the past five years, with 1 in 6 under-16s living in poverty. Poverty has a pervasive impact on children’s physical and mental well-being, aspirations & life prospects. Life expectancy is 10 years less here than the national average & 20 years less than affluent areas. A high proportion of children have special educational needs, behavioural problems & mental health issues. It is significantly concerning that Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) can only handle severe cases, leaving those with warning signs of poor mental health unattended. With CAMHS overburdened, we face a tsunami of demand & more challenging young people referred to us. Ykids’ success is a testament to the unwavering support from partners, funders, volunteers, and the community. Here’s to another 20 years of making a difference!

www.ykids.co.uk

4Wings Northwest CIC www.4wings.co.uk

Beautiful New Beginnings CIC www.beautifulnewbeginnings.co.uk

Big Condo Training Academy CIC www.bigcondoacademycic.co.uk

Big Help Project www.bighelpproject.com

Blackburne House www.blackburnehouse.co.uk

Bluecoat Limited www.thebluecoat.org.uk

Central Liverpool Credit Union www.centralcu.co.uk

Claire House www.clairehouse.org.uk

Crisis Skylight www.crisis.org.uk

Diversity Role Models www.diversityrolemodels.org

Elevate www.elevate-ebp.co.uk

Expect Limited www.expect-excellence.org

Everton in the Community www.evertoninthecommunity.org

Freshfields Animal Rescue www.freshfields.org.uk

Future Yard CIC www.futureyard.org

Inspire Train Grow CIC www.inspiretraingrow.co.uk

International Cotton Association Ltd (ICA) www.ica-ltd.org

Leadership Through Sport and Business www.leadershipthroughsport.org

Liverpool Biennial of Contemporary Art www.biennial.com

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Charity www.lhchcharity.org.uk

Liverpool Heartbeat www.liverpoolheartbeat.co.uk

Liverpool Law Society www.liverpoollawsociety.org.uk

Liverpool Sunflowers www.liverpoolsunflowers.com

Liverpool University Hospitals

Charity www.facebook.co.uk/ LpoolUniHospsCharity

Liverpool Women’s Hospital

Charity www.liverpoolwomens.nhs.uk/ fundraising

Local Solutions www.localsolutions.org.uk

Mary’s Meals www.marysmeals.org.uk

Merseyside Expanding Horizons www.expandinghorizons.co.uk

Merseyside Youth Association Ltd www.mya.org.uk

National Museums Liverpool www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

Natural Breaks Ltd www.naturalbreaks.co.uk

NDNA Liverpool Network www.ndna.org.uk

No Limits Recovery Services www.nolimitsrecovery.co.uk

Nugent www.wearenugent.org

Open Door Charity www.opendoorcharity.com

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK www.rmhc.org.uk

Royal College of Physicians www.rcplondon.ac.uk

Royal Court Liverpool Ltd www.royalcourtliverpool.co.uk

Salvation Army www.salvationarmy.org.uk/ liverpool-walton

Sean’s Place www.seansplace.org.uk

Sefton Women’s and Children’s Aid www.swaca.com

South Liverpool Homes www.southliverpoolhomes.co.uk

Southport Flower Show and Victoria Park Events www.southportflowershow.co.uk

Split Perspectivz CIC www.splitperspectivz.com

Street League www.streetleague.co.uk

Team Oasis www.teamoasis.co.uk

The Brain Charity www.thebraincharity.org.uk

The Chartered Institute of Building www.ciob.org

The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts www.lipa.ac.uk

The Reader www.thereader.org.uk

The Whitechapel Centre www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk

The Women’s Organisation www.thewomensorganisation.org.uk

Tom Harrison House www.tomharrisonhouse.org.uk

Tom’s Trust www.tomstrust.org.uk

Vibe UK www.vibeuk.org

We Are With You Liverpool www.wearewithyou.org.uk/localhubs/liverpool

Wirral Hospice St John’s www.wirralhospice.org

Ykids www.Ykids.co.uk

Young Persons Advisory Service www.ypas.org.uk

Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice www.zoes-place.org.uk/locations/ liverpool-hospice

Take on a T Level industry placement student from Wirral Met College.

WHAT ARE T LEVELS?

T Levels are a new qualification for students aged 16 to 19 in England who’ve finished GCSEs.

They're an alternative to A levels and apprenticeships, giving young people the technical and practical skills needed to be an asset in the workplace. T Levels combine classroom learning with a substantial industry placement of a minimum of 45 days.

DESIGNED WITH EMPLOYERS, FOR EMPLOYERS

T Levels have been designed in collaboration with hundreds of employers to address skills shortages and deliver the skills businesses need. Wirral Met College will support you at every stage so you can focus on getting the most out of your placement student.