Strategic Plan
2025 & Beyond
Building on years of successful service, YMCA North Tyneside is launching an impactful new strategy for 2025 and beyond. This plan will enable us to adapt and expand our work, ensuring we can continue to support a healthy, happy, and connected community. Join us as we explore our key priorities – from increasing housing options to empowering young people and strengthening our community voice.More Homes Update
A Message from the Director of Homes and Places
It has certainly been a pivotal quarter for our Housing teams!
When we talk about the “Offer More Homes” pillar of our strategy, it’s about much more than just bricks and mortar; we’re providing the fundamental building block for a fresh start: a safe night’s sleep and a place to call ‘home’.
Our Housing teams see daily how the stability of a secure home allows our residents to turn their focus toward education, employment, and healing. It’s the foundation upon which they begin to thrive and rebuild their lives.
In Quarter 2 alone, we achieved an incredible milestone: 5,539 safe nights were provided under the YMCA North Tyneside roof. That means over 68 residents woke up every morning in a stable, secure environment where they could access the support they needed.
Our commitment to efficiency means we are making the most of every resource—we achieved an impressive 99.08% average occupancy this quarter. This efficiency directly translates into more impact. It enabled 6 young people in Sir James Knott House, North Shields, to make a positive, supported transition to independent living. Equally inspiring, 21 young people currently living with us are actively engaged in education or training, building skills for their futures.
This staggering growth is just the beginning. Our Housing Development team has been relentless in working with local authorities and investors to become problem-solvers where housing is needed most. We are thrilled to confirm our significant expansion:
- We will shortly be adding 9 new self-contained flats in North Shields as an extension of Sir James Knott House.
- We have added 2 new self-contained flats in Stockton.
- We are soon bringing 2 new properties on board in Scarborough to house 8 additional residents.
- We are actively expanding our Specialised Housing service, adapting properties to better serve residents with learning difficulties and additional needs.
Every new room, every new property, is a direct investment in the futures of people in our community.
Thank you to every staff member and partner who has worked to make this growth possible. Your belief in our residents, and your commitment to our strategy, ensures that we continue to provide stability, support, and hope for our residents.
Steve
Director of Homes and Places
Drive Enterprise & Sustainability Update
A Message from the Director of Social Enterprise and Community
What a day! Picnic in the Park was brilliant – our third time organising and hosting it, and it just keeps getting better and better. It’s always such a special day, bringing people together and raising money, but more than that, it shows how strong the sense of belonging is here. That’s what makes our community so special.
In my role, I see daily how powerful connection and shared purpose can be. Events like this aren’t just a nice day out – they’re a reminder that we’re all part of something bigger. They give us a chance to connect, build relationships, and work with our communities.
YMCA North Tyneside has been rooted in this community for 146 years, and we’re still here, walking alongside people of all ages – supporting, listening, and learning. Our new strategy is about building on that foundation. It’s about doing more together: tackling poverty, creating job opportunities, opening up access to education, and supporting individuals to thrive.
In 2024, we served over 900 community meals, supported more than 1500 children and young people, and delivered over 600 hot meals to older residents in Teesdale. And we’re not stopping there.
Our cafe, gym and nursery are key to our success. Every penny spent in our social enterprises helps us do more – more meals for local families, more activities for young people, more support where it’s needed most. They’re not just services; they are spaces that create happier, healthier and more connected communities.
Thank you to everyone who supports YMCA – whether you’re a member of our gym, a family from our nursery, a customer in our cafe, a volunteer, a donor or someone who champions our work in the community. Your support, energy, and belief in what we do makes everything possible. Let’s keep that spirit alive and continue building a happier, healthier and more connected community, together.
Helen Thompson
Director of Community & Social Enterprise
Shout Louder Update
Coming January 2026…
Help More People Update
Coming April 2026…
Q2 Strategy Update – Offer More Homes
In Quarter 2, YMCA North Tyneside provided 5,539 safe nights for vulnerable resident. This means over 68 residents woke up every dingle morning in a stable, secure environment where they could access the support they needed to rebuild their lives.
View our Q2 real-time impact figures below.
We are growing! The ‘Offer More Homes’ strategic priority is already delivering new places to live across the North East. We’re adding 2 new self-contained properties in North Shields, Stockton, and Scarborough. A direct investment in more futures.
Behind every statistic is a life that’s been transformed. In Quarter 2, 6 young people made a positive transition to independent living, and we hear daily how a safe home is the first step to a fresh start.
Dive into their impactful stories, and read touching resident quotes below.
Liam’s Story: The Journey to Self Management
After a year in a hostel, Liam arrived isolated and in a cycle of constant mental health crisis, deeply rooted in childhood trauma. His biggest struggle was managing money, which triggered self-destructive behaviour. YMCA stepped in and encouraged Liam to believe in himself and his ability to realise his triggers and cope better with his mental health.
Aidan’s Story: Finding His Stride
Aidan arrived at the YMCA after months of street homelessness, sleeping in a cold shed but determined not to miss a day of school. Our supported housing provided the safety and stability he needed to heal and focus. Read how YMCA North Tyneside helped Aidan thrive.
Sarah’s Story: Rebuilding a Life After Loss
For four years, Sarah was caught in a cycle of homelessness, trauma, and addiction, unable to access basic healthcare or housing. Her biggest barrier? A historical “arson” flag from an accidental fire—a non-conviction that caused every other housing provider to refuse her help. The YMCA looked past the label and saw a person in crisis.
Q2 Real-Time Impact Figures – Housing
Total vulnerable residents living under our roof in supported accommodation.
Total safe nights had under the roof of YMCA North Tyneside properties across our localities.
Of our young residents are currently in education or training.
YMCA residents have experienced a positive move on, now living independently or safely with family.
Individuals are living in safer accommodation across the UK thanks to our Regulate and Protect guidance.
%
Average yearly object is being achieved across our North Shields, Sunderland and Stockton housing.
Meet Gemma, Our New Housing Based Occupational Therapist
Thanks to the growth of our housing, we’ve been able to reinvest profits into funding Gemmas role, allowing us to support our residents even further.
For young people in our supported accommodation, developing independent living skills is a critical step toward a successful transition out of our services. Our residents often face complex challenges, which can make everyday tasks difficult. This is where Gemma steps in.
Q1 Strategy Update - Drive Enterprise & Sustainability
Q1 Real-Time Impact Figures - Social Enterprise
Senior meals served in Teesdale, providing essential nourishment and ensuring vital support reaches vulnerable members of our community.
Children and young people supported, helping them develop and thrive.
Home-educated children benefited from extra curricular activities, giving them a chance to improve vital social skills.
Children from RAF families now have a safe-space to be themselves at RAF Leeming, supporting their life behind the wire.
Children are thriving in our Day Nursery, hitting development milestones that set them up for success in later school life.
YMCA gym members are on their fitness journey, becoming healthier, happier and connected.
Individuals in our Cancer Rehab programme are reporting a vast improvement in their strength and fatigue levels.
