christmas greeting
Please scroll down to see the highlights of our year For more information on what we have achieved in the last year, please read our Snapshot, just click the icon
Dear friend, Christmas and New Year is a good time to look back and reflect. It has been an exciting yet challenging year for YMCA DLG. We are helping more young people than ever before, but we are also adjusting, like so many, to a much tougher financial environment. Our organisation would not be able to provide the services we do without the continuous support of our partners, stakeholders and local communities. We know that in 2017 strengthening our existing partnerships and building new relationships will be more important than ever before. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued involvement and support of our work. I wish you a Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year! Chas Walker, CEO, YMCA DLG
In 2016 we:
provided 129 Guildford young people with a safe place to live
set up YMCA Positive Placements project helping local young people get into education, employment or training Our new YMCA Guildford Foyer is set to open in 2017 Work has already started on redeveloping the current Midwey House housing project to increase the number of rooms from 13 to 34 and improve the facilities to meet the needs of young people in Guildford. We will be sending out more information on how you can get involved and support the redevelopment of Midwey House in the new year. Watch this space!
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‘I really enjoyed living at the YMCA. The staff were always so welcoming and had a smile on their face. Whilst living at the YMCA I had regular meetings with my key worker, which really helped me a lot with stress because I had someone to talk to when I felt down. I felt safe and at home. I think the YMCA is great because it’s a safe environment and you also get the help and support you need.’ Becky, 19, former YMCA resident
DECEMBER We work closely with the local community on our Love in a Box Christmas appeal
NOVEMBER We win three awards at the national YMCA Youth Matters Awards 2016
AUGUST New members join our Young People’s Board that works alongside our Board of Trustees
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
We start a chaplaincy service in our Brighton supported housing projects
#IAMWHOLE anti-stigma mental health campaign is launched
JULY
JUNE
We take part in the YMCA Coastto-Coast fundraising bike ride
Event celebrating all YMCA DLG volunteers
MARCH
MAY We take part in Artists’ Open Houses Festival and have a number of local artists display their work at our Head Office
We hold our Sleep Easy fundraising event. 60 people sleep out and over £21k is raised in just one night!
APRIL
JANUARY Secured funding to redevelop our Midwey House project to create 34 units of accommodation for young homeless people in Guildford
FEBRUARY Horsham YMCA Football Club unveil their new away kit
YMCA YAC youth advice centre moves to new premises at 11 St George’s Place
YMCA DLG TIMELINE OF 2016