Celebrating Excellence. YMCA MK in finals for 2 awards.

We are thrilled to announce our selection as a finalist for the prestigious Youth Matters Awards in two categories this year.

Support and Advice Project of the Year

Our Mental Wealth project, launched in 2023, to address the mental health support challenges faced by our residents.

The service provides access to a multi-disciplinary team:

• A designated key-worker
• Access to a specialist nurse
• Access to a Social Worker and group support sessions
• Access to a Psychologist

In the first quarter of 2024 alone, 113 young people attended drop-in sessions, 55 consulted with a psychologist, and 13 were screened for ADHD/ASD, resulting in 5 full assessments.

Katie expressed her gratitude: “Just talking… I got all of it out… thank you, my head feels so free.”

She found the asset-based, person-centred support invaluable after experiencing trauma and family difficulties. She has since secured employment, is preparing for independent living, continues to see the psychologist and no longer self-harms.

YMCA of the Year

Our nomination for YMCA of the Year reflects our holistic approach to supporting young adults aged 18-35 and our expansion beyond housing.

Over the past year, we have:

• Housed 388 young people
• Supported young people into 119 jobs.
• Offered over 8,000 hours of meaningful activities
• Launched a new supported housing service in Northampton for care leavers
• Offered Youth Mentoring in collaboration with local secondary schools, the youth offending team, and Milton Keynes University Hospital.
• Started 5 Youth Clubs in areas with the greatest need for quality youth work.

Our re-launched HomeGround café provides sustainable income to support our services and catering packages for our conferencing facilities.

Here is what one of our young people had to say, “YMCA gives residents the opportunities to make memories that last a lifetime.”

The Youth Matters Awards celebrate achievements of young individuals, volunteers, and initiatives across England and Wales. We’re grateful for this recognition of our dedication to creating positive change in our community in Milton Keynes.