Our Community Meals are a comfy, warm, fully inclusive, safe non-judgemental space for everyone to access a hot meal, all while tackling social isolation, and ensuring our locals feel like they belong to their community.
We have many regular attendees, but one lovely local in particular, stands out as a real success story. Julie has been attending since the meals began in January with her friend as her support; she presented as shy and was almost embarrassed to be there. Our delivery team have slowly built a relationship and make her feel very welcome; we started to learn more about her as Julie felt she trusted us enough to start to share her own story with us and we are so pleased she did!
The hot meal Julie was receiving at the YMCA was the only hot meal she was having that week. She was waiting to start a new job that was taking a long time for the paperwork to get sorted, so she was struggling with very little money and sacrificing hot food.
Julie has now started her new role and we have seen her demeanor change massively! She always has a smile on her face and is excited to be back at the YMCA as she feels it’s a welcoming space for her and her friend Lorna. Julie and Lorna have since attended our Quiz Night Fundraiser, donated raffle prizes, and both recently signed up to help volunteer at the meal. We are ecstatic to have them on the team!
Julie’s circumstances are a shocking sign of the times, opening our eyes to how much the community is struggling. It shows how vital our meals are and they are providing more than just food; people come to the meal to belong, contribute and thrive, and it makes us very proud to be able such a thing to our wonderful community.
Are you interested in volunteering or donating to our Community Meals?
Read more news stories:
Staff VS Young People Football Match
On Wednesday the 9th of April the football pitch at the Parks turned into a battleground—not of rivals, but of friendly fire as our North Shields Youth Group faced off against the YMCA Staff Team in what can only be described as a match for the ages (and possibly some...
Volunteer Case Study: Jacqui and Albie
Community initiatives often rely on the sustained effort of individuals, not just initial bursts of enthusiasm. At YMCA North Tyneside, the Community Meal programme, launched in January 2023, is a testament to this fact. Offering free hot food, it’s become a vital...
Case Study: Laurie’s Journey
Laurie's journey with the YMCA began at the age of 12 with the aim to escape boredom and forge new friendships. The local YMCA youth group became a regular fixture in her week, providing a welcoming space and opportunities to connect with peers. For several years,...
North Shields Youth Group
Launched in April 2024, our North Shields Youth Group is a direct response to the needs of local young people, made possible through valuable partnerships and funding. Situated in our central North Shields building, the group has quickly become a hub for connection...
From North Shields to Zambia
Sometimes, the impact of local support can reach far beyond our own community. YMCA North Tyneside recently had the privilege of contributing to the Association of Youth Work Studies (AYWS) in Zambia, a donation that will directly support the training of future youth...
Recent Comments