Swansea YMCA

YMCA Swansea was established in 1868, is a charity & limited company and operates as a social business. It is governed by a Board of volunteer Trustees, employs 17 people, and has a strong volunteer base. We are part of a Federation of 120 YMCAs in England & Wales, and are part of an international movement with 58 million members worldwide. YMCA Swansea is an independent charity, affiliated to YMCA England and Wales, and is responsible for local services in Swansea and the surrounding area to support local children, young people and communities in need. Vision: ‘Transforming communities, so that young people can belong, contribute and thrive’. YMCA Swansea aims to tackle poverty and improve quality of life for communities in Swansea and surrounding areas. Our core Services cover 5 Key Areas: • Health & Wellbeing • Training & Education • Support & Advice • Family Work • Accomodation Our Ethos: • We seek out • We welcome • We inspire • We speak out • We serve others Our YMCA Hub is based in Swansea, and has a regional focus covering Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Neath & Port Talbot. We work in partnerhip with other like minded organisations across Wales to deliver services in North Wales and South East Wales. YMCA Swansea supports approximately 3,000 vulnerable young people and adults per annum. Our main beneficiaries are disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people, adults and communities due to poverty, ill health & discrimination. Our Social Businesses are: • Fitness @ Swansea YMCA • Dojo & Boxing & Martial Arts Centre • Café @ Swansea YMCA • City Centre Childcare – Providing 75 full-time childcare places • Arts Centre - Theatre, dance studios & recording studios • Conference Centre • Managed Office Spaces & Enterprise Pods • Retail Charity Shop Our Teams: • Youth & Community • Employment, Skills & Training • Health & Wellbeing • Arts Poverty is a key feature for many of our families, as such, the key issues include homelessness, debt, poor wages and living standards, poor diets, lack of opportunity, lack of hope and aspiration. This may present itself with substance misuse, lack of support, low confidence, poor mental and physical health, hunger, unsettled family life, social exclusion/isolation. We are an experienced and dedicated third sector service embedded in our community supporting children, young people and vulnerable adults in Swansea and surrounding areas since 1868. This includes specific support for Young Carers, LGBTQ+ Young People, Unemployed young people and adults, young people and vulnerable adults with mental health needs, vulnerable homeless young people, those targeted via county lines, those in the criminal justice system, those experiencing limiting health conditions, those overcoming substance and alcohol misuse. Our work is provided face to face, with skilled & experienced workers – 7 days per week; Youth Workers, Support Workers, Fitness Instructors, Counsellors, Arts Workers etc. establishing trusted relationships with vulnerable children, young people and families most in need, providing specialist support 1-2-1, group work, clubs, respite, emergency and intense support, light touch, skills & training. People are at the ‘heart’ of what we do, and are involved in planning, developing and evaluating our services to ensure that they are relevant, meet need and are fit for purpose. We deliver a wide range of services and provide a supportive environment that cares for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our community. YMCA Swansea has a long standing track record of successful community engagement offering diverse, accessible services and has a dynamic entrepreneurial approach & commitment to social justice.