In January 2022, YMCA North Tyneside entered into a partnership with 13 other YMCAs to deliver RAF Benevolent Fund’s ‘Airplay’ project. YMCA North Tyneside’s community team have a new cohort of youth workers who are working out of RAF Leeming, a base in North Yorkshire, to deliver youth activities and support to young people.
Growing up as part of a military family has its challenges, as parents often spend long periods away from home, and children are required to move school and home frequently. Airplay aims to address these issues by providing a safe place for youngsters to spend time with their peers, with support on hand if needed.
Our new team are dedicated to providing services to meet the needs of the children and young people of RAF families. With weekly sessions and holiday activities the Airplay team are delivering some fantastic work to the ‘behind the wire’ community of children and young people of RAF Leeming. The team works closely with the Community Development Officer and team to ensure that the community and youth work is delivered in partnership for the benefit of the base.
“Airplay is the RAF Benevolent Fund’s youth support scheme, providing essential youth club activities on RAF stations across the UK, as well as a digital platform to connect young people.”
Read more of our case studies:
YMCA Airplay VS RAF Leeming 2024
By Ella Graham. Last year, our Airplay Youth Club took on the challenge of competing against RAF Leeming in a series of fun-filled games and activities. The event was such a hit that the children immediately requested it become an annual tradition! This May, our young...
Picnic in the Park 2024: A Roaring Success
By Cameron Galloway. Our biggest community event of the year was a huge success with over 3,000 guests in attendance to celebrate YMCA Founders Day and our 145th anniversary. Despite a mixed forecast, we arrived on site at 7.50am to clear blue skies and a warm breeze....
Our First Ullswater Challenge
By Cameron Galloway. On Saturday 20th April a group of 30 challengers took on YMCA North Tyneside’s Ullswater Challenge. This 22-mile hike around the perimeter of Ullswater started and finished at our Patterdale Estate, tying the beauty of the Lake District back to...
Day in the life of a Support Coordinator
Hi I’m Chloe and I’m a Support Coordinator with YMCA North Tyneside. I’m currently based at our housing office in Stockton where myself and my manager Sarah work as a 2 person team. We support a total of 19 residents with a variety of different support needs, 6 of...
A Day in the Life of a Station Youth Worker
Mel has been the Station Youth Worker for Airplay Leeming for the last 7 years and after 20+ years in the youth work field, Airplay has been one of her longest serving roles. Mel tells us that there is something special about working on RAF Leeming with the Airplay...