YMCA Milton Keynes Celebrates City-Wide Youth Impact

We’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible impact of our city-wide youth work programme, made possible thanks to a generous £75,000 grant from Milton Keynes Community Foundation (MKCC). Over the past three years, this support has enabled YMCA Milton Keynes to walk alongside hundreds of young people across Milton Keynes, helping them to feel safe, supported and ready for their future.

Back in 2022, young people in Milton Keynes were facing significant challenges – from some of the highest knife-related crime levels in the Thames Valley to higher-than-average youth unemployment. When asked what they needed, young people told us clearly: “places to go, things to do, and adults who don’t disappear.”

Thanks to the MKCC’s investment, we’ve been able to build exactly that – a dedicated Youth and Community Team that shows up consistently for young people right across our city.

Growing a strong support network

With this funding, we’ve grown from two youth workers to a whole community of trusted adults, including:

• 4 full-time youth workers
• 10 part-time youth workers
• 47 trained volunteer mentors

Together, they deliver one-to-one mentoring, youth clubs, school support, and employment programmes for young people aged 7 to 25. Over the past year alone, 350 young people accessed support – from managing emotions and building confidence to re-engaging with education and securing safe housing and work.

Stories of young people thriving

These are just a few examples of the change we’ve seen:

• Jake, who left school with no GCSEs after time in care, is now retaking exams and completing work experience with support from his mentor.

• Dylan, who was sofa surfing and disconnected from his daughter, is now in stable employment, receiving mental health support, and rebuilding his family relationships.

• Amber, who hadn’t left her home in three years, is now volunteering, attending an autism support group, taking on more responsibility at work, and recently shared her story at a national conference.

This programme has also strengthened partnerships with MK College, local schools, parish councils, charities and Milton Keynes Council’s Early Help Team – creating a stronger, more connected network of support for young people.

Working together for young people in Milton Keynes

Tayler Tookey, Head of Youth and Community at YMCA Milton Keynes, said:

“Our youth programmes provide safe spaces, positive experiences, and trusted adult role models who support young people emotionally, socially, and personally.

“This grant has helped us build a strong, resilient team whose impact will last far beyond the three-year funding period. Thank you for believing in young people and helping us create long-term, meaningful change.”

Sam Snelus, Philanthropy Director at MK Community Foundation, said:

“Every young person has a future in our city. But real change happens when we all share responsibility for supporting them. Together, we can challenge the root causes of disadvantage that limit young people’s aspirations, self-worth and sense of belonging in Milton Keynes. We’re proud to stand alongside YMCA Milton Keynes and invest in work that genuinely transforms lives.”

Youth services in Milton Keynes have lost 83% of their funding since 2010, making this work more vital than ever.

Thank you

This work has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the ARK Fund, the Community Fund, 9Eons’ Fund and the David Lock Fund, through MK Community Foundation.

Together, we’re building a Milton Keynes where every young person can belong, contribute and thrive.