News

Featonby’s, the North East Auction House, have really stepped up to the mark in terms of supporting homeless young people in North Tyneside.

What a funny old year!

In 2020, we were proud to stand behind 16 runners signing up to participate in the much anticipated Great North Run event, celebrating 40 years of the marathon. However, the unexpected downfall of the pandemic postponed the physical run to 2021, resulting in many participants stepping down from their spot due to a conflict in plans.

YMCA North Tyneside helps create a supportive, inclusive and engaging community where young people can truly belong, contribute and thrive. And as part of our mission, we have engaged in the government scheme ‘Kickstart’ which provides funding to create jobs for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment.

YMCA North Tyneside has officially launched Y’s Girls, a programme specifically developed to offer help and support to young women and girls at risk of developing mental health issues, and they are calling on the community to get involved.

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2021, NE Youth presented a number of awards to six incredible women, in honour of their amazing talent.

Last Friday, a number of YMCA staff grabbed their aprons and took to their kitchens for a group cooking session, courtesy of Ravenous Fox.
Like in many organisations, staff had seen very little of each other throughout the pandemic, particularly in group scenarios, so a good catch up was well overdue.

On the evening of Wednesday 3rd March as part of the YMCA Healthy Habits programme, a group of young people from the YMCA organised and delivered a bingo evening for clients of Age UK.

For the past couple of years, Sainsbury’s at the Broadway have kindly supported YMCA North Tyneside by donating everything from tinned foods to toiletries and many of their staff have even contributed their time to volunteering projects.

At YMCA Gym, the wellness of their members comes first and despite having to close the North Shields based fitness centre, the gym staff have been virtually inviting people into their homes, and giving their time to help locals stay active during lockdown.

Exercise is a brilliant way to counteract the lull of spending a large amount of time indoors, but with gym facilities closed, how can young people be encouraged to keep active during lockdown?

Despite Covid restrictions, YMCA’s Youth, Play and Community team are responding the best way they can and are continuing to reach out to young people in North Tyneside. Right now, they are doing this in a number of ways:

‘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.

Back in August, YMCA England and Wales released Back on Track… a report outlining the effects of lockdown on young people across the nation and how YMCA’s have adapted their services to continue helping young people during the pandemic.

YMCA North Tyneside are launching a website to help support young people. We aim to promote Healthy Habits through our 5 a day initiative, helping young people develop ways of achieving personal goals every day.