Greater Resilience for Vulnerable Girls
The Y’s Girls project addresses key issues faced by vulnerable young females aged 9 to 14 years of age. Volunteer mentors are identified from the local community and paired with young girls in need of a positive relationship with an adult.
Often the mentors have experienced similar issues to the girls they are developing a relationship with. For example; vulnerability to developing issues with emotional wellbeing, experience of disengagement at school, conflict in the home, engagement in antisocial behaviour or a lack of a positive adult role model.
With mentors’ support, the young people have participated in new activities such as; ice skating, swimming, gym sessions, yoga, trampolining, drawing, crafting, visiting museums and galleries and getting out and about in their local area to meet new people and experience new things.
During 2021-22 we made 21 successful matches between young girls and mentors, which led to 322 hours of interactions in just 6 months. All have made measurable success in their journey towards achieving their goals and the connections that have developed between the young girls and their wider families have been hugely encouraging.
Our volunteer mentors have also reported feeling more valued, more connected to their local community and have developed their skills and employability through their experiences in the project.
“Our young people have reported feeling more confident, more connected within their communities, with increased resilience and better equipped to deal with the challenges that life can bring”
If you’re interested in volunteering with YMCA please get in contact today.
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...