YMCA England: Helping young people build a future

We give young people the support they need to make a fresh start in life.

The type of help we offer varies from community to community, but our aim is always the same; to provide services that enable young people to grow and develop in every aspect of their lives.

YMCA youth workers are qualified and dedicated professionals who work to ensure that every young person feels they have a place to belong, where their voice can be heard and where they are valued and respected. We help young people develop essential social, personal and vocational skills.

Our work with young people includes:

• Training in basic life skills, including literacy, numeracy and budget management.
• Accredited courses, vocational training and work experience.
• Drugs and alcohol counselling.
• Crime prevention.
• Support to lead active and healthy lives.
• Work in prisons and young offenders institutions.
• Support for those at risk of exclusion from school.

Tackling youth unemployment

The YMCA is a major provider of vocational training because we believe that equipping young people with the skills to find and keep a job is a vital way of helping them develop.

Almost one million 16-24 year olds are not in education, employment or training. This costs the UK economy a staggering £90 million per week. YMCAs across the country are tackling this problem by offering training courses, informal education, vocational training, volunteering opportunities and support to find a job.

YMCA Training is one of the UK’s largest voluntary sector training providers. It has 50 training centres across the country offering opportunities to over 18,000 young people and adults per year, including vocational training, apprenticeships and personal development courses.

YMCA George Williams College develops innovative programmes and resources supporting the needs of workers and managers. Courses include youth and community work, informal education and working with homeless people. YMCA George Williams College offers the chance to study at pre-qualifying through to doctorate levels.

Find out about the ways you can support the YMCA.