YMCA Barnsley and Chilypep are delighted to announce that they will receive funding as part of Barnsley’s successful bid to the Government’s Levelling-Up Fund.

The Barnsley Futures bid has been awarded £10.2m, which will work towards helping transform young people’s cultural and wellbeing facilities in Barnsley.

Andrea Battye, Youth Work Manager at YMCA Barnsley, said, “The planned redevelopment of YMCA’s building in the heart of Barnsley will enable YMCA and Chilypep to continue to provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for children and young people locally. It will go a long way to securing the future of the Young People’s Wellbeing Hub ‘H.O.M.E.’ based at YMCA Barnsley.

“The renovations will help to modernise our facilities, which will reduce our environmental impact and operating costs and contribute to our long-term viability as important providers of essential youth-led services for young people in Barnsley.”

H.O.M.E. provides an open-access space for young people to find support before they are in crisis and offers innovative, creative, therapeutic activities that support their mental health. Working alongside YMCA and other partners, H.O.M.E. is a service that offers holistic wrap-around support.

Lesley Pollard, CEO of Chilypep, said, “The success of Barnsley’s Futures bid is crucial to the vision of long-term emotional wellbeing for our young people. YMCA has provided vital open access youth work for over 100 years, and our partnership with YMCA Barnsley in developing H.O.M.E. is part of a national drive to provide early support hubs for young people.”

The £10.2m investment will also include the creation of an activity park in the town centre that will be co-produced by young people, support for Barnsley Youth Choir and the creation of the new Northern Academy for Vocal Excellence (NAVE), and a contribution to the major project to refurbish The Civic Cultural Centre.

YMCA is grateful to Barnsley Council for the opportunity to be a key partner in this bid. We look forward to working with all involved to bring these projects to life, increasing chances and improving outcomes for children and young people in Barnsley.