IMPACT REPORT
2020 – 2021
2020/21 was a year like no other. When we started out, we were looking forward to a great year of community engagement, participation and activities.
We were due to release in April our new 5 year Strategic Plan, a plan that built on our previous hard work and one that we were excited to put into practice. We however had to put the release of the strategy on hold to take stock and account of the global covid-19 that struck the world with full force. The global pandemic presented a crisis on a scale many of us have never experienced before. The toll it has taken on human life is heartbreaking, while it has also caused the largest economic downturn for decades.
We were due to release in April our new 5 year Strategic Plan, a plan that built on our previous hard work and one that we were excited to put into practice. We however had to put the release of the strategy on hold to take stock and account of the global covid-19 that struck the world with full force. The global pandemic presented a crisis on a scale many of us have never experienced before. The toll it has taken on human life is heartbreaking, while it has also caused the largest economic downturn for decades.
Covid-19 first hit YMCA North Tyneside and the UK with real force in February and then we went into lockdown in late March. Within the space of hours, 70% of our services had been forced to temporarily close. We were suddenly put in a position where we had never been before. We reacted quickly. There is no blueprint to deal with a crisis like this, but within just a few days we had adjusted our operations to address the situation at hand.
From the very beginning of the pandemic, our focus was focused on two things:
- Securing the well-being, health and safety of our own employees, and of our beneficiaries/clients.
- Steering the organisation successfully through this unprecedented crisis.
I am proud to report that we achieved both.
We looked hard at how we continued with the services that were allowed and were vital. We continued to provide face to face services for those classed as the most vulnerable but we also pivoted to give support where face to face services were closed – we used online technology to reach and support hundreds of friends, customers and beneficiaries.
I am delighted to give you a short glimpse of some of the excellent work we achieved in what has been an incredibly difficult year through this Impact Review.
None of it would have been possible if it wasn’t for the fabulous work and unbelievable commitment of our staff, volunteers, Board of Trustees, funders and partners – i say to all of you, Thank You!
Best wishes, take care and stay healthy,
Inspiring young female
Grace began attending YMCA’s Youth Project back in 2015 when she was just 9 years old. She had a very challenging upbringing and YMCA North Tyneside soon became aware of the struggles that Grace had encountered throughout her childhood, such as family bereavements, regular dealings with social services and numerous problems with living circumstances.
Grace's Interview
Case Study: Amber
Amber was forced to leave home to escape an abusive relationship. Her ex-partner used to control her finances and demand that she gave him more and more money. He also used to make her live by a rota which he created. When he became increasingly aggressive and controlling Amber had to leave.
children attending our nursery
nights for homeless young people
interactions with youth workers
attendances to our gym in North Shields
THE REALITY OF A PANDEMIC PREGNANCY
Becoming a parent for the first time can be daunting, but a pregnancy during a pandemic throws up a whole host of new questions and unforeseen circumstances.
YMCA Day Nurseries Deputy Manager Kirsty, bares all, sharing her personal experience of having a newborn during a pandemic.
The Trouble with TRevor
When lockdown hit, the quaint area of Cockfield became quieter than a ghost town, particularly due to the fact that Cockfield is home to a significant number of elderly individuals, meaning most of the residents were vulnerable and restricted to their homes for months on end.
OUR PROJECTS
‘The Hatch’ is a website project designed by our own Housing Team that covers a variety of mental health support options for homeless young people whilst upholding social distancing.
‘The Hatch’ is a website project designed by our own Housing Team that covers a variety of mental health support options for homeless young people whilst upholding social distancing.
Right Now Fundraising Campaign
When the pandemic hit, not only did we close the majority of our business units such as YMCA Gym and The Estate, but all fundraising events were cancelled, almost bringing that support to a standstill.
As a charity in need, we decided to look to our supporters for any help they could offer and launched our “Right Now” fundraising campaign.
To our Supporters
