YMCA Milton Keynes welcomes young adults aged between 18-35 and exists to help young people to belong, contribute and thrive. We understand the importance of creating a supportive environment for residents living on campus to ensure they:
- Feel at home – We strive to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where residents feel like they belong the moment they step through our door.
- Feel safe and secure – Ensuring the safety and security of our residents is a top priority, providing peace of mind as they navigate their daily lives.
- Form good relationships – Our dedicated staff team are committed to forming meaningful connections with residents, fostering a sense of community and support.
- Find meaning and purpose – We believe in helping young people find meaning and purpose in their lives, this could mean going back to learning, volunteering or supporting them to find a job that they are passionate about.
Over 3 years and 3 stages YMCA MK provides residents with a safe place to call home and holistic support to achieve their potential.
From housekeeping to housing coaches, finance to fundraising everyone has a role to play in supporting the young people living at YMCA MK. The young person who ‘graduates’ YMCA MK is likely to be a very different person to the young person who arrived.
Young people are at the heart of everything that we do, and we follow a clear vision and mission to ensure that we always put young people first.
Benefits of living at YMCA MK
YMCA MK is a landlord you can trust. We provide affordable accommodation and a host of benefits for all our residents. Make YMCA MK your next home.
Your Supportive Landlord
- No deposit required
- No agent fees
- Free gym membership for all residents
- All inclusive bills
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Fully furnished rooms
- On-site laundry facilities
- 24-hour access to the Residents’ Lounge and games room
- On-site property manager
- A trustworthy, caring landlord and friendly staff team
- A dedicated staff contact for each resident
- A safe and secure environment – 24-hour concierge service
- Evening meal for residents living in Supported living
- Good transport links
- Walking distance to the Hub and shopping centre
- Help finding move-on accommodation and continued support once you’ve left the campus.
Our Campus Community
We also offer the following benefits to ensure that our campus is welcoming, inclusive and supportive to all young people in Milton Keynes.
- Free Activity Programme including fitness, creative sessions, life skills and much more
- Regular social events and day trips
- Access to our on-site HomeGround café, serving healthy and affordable food
- A great community surrounded by young people who all want to belong, contribute and thrive
- Person-centred support for all residents should they need our help
- Education, employment and career support
- Free on-site counselling.
Stage 1: Supported
Providing stability and support in a safe and encouraging environment.
The first stage of our pathway is for young people who have experienced homelessness and provides accommodation for 30 residents with 24-hour support. All residents in stage one move into single ensuite rooms and have access to a shared kitchen and living area.
The focus at this stage is to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents. During their time in stage one, residents take part in our Independent Living Skills programme, which helps our young people to gain practical day-to-day skills to help them live independently. Topics covered include nutrition and how to prepare food, personal hygiene and how to budget money.
Stage 2: Shared
Identifying and working towards training and employment goals.
When a resident has completed our Independent Living Skills Programme, requires less support time from their Supported Housing Coach and is ready to engage with our Employability Programme, they will move into shared accommodation. To reflect our ‘campus’ approach, our stage two accommodation provides 70 rooms in shared clusters across seven floors. There is a communal kitchen and living area on each floor, so residents can get to know each other and create friendships.
The focus in stage two is to find meaningful and sustainable employment. At YMCA MK, we offer a unique, person-centred employment support service, helping our residents to find the career they want to do, not just a job they think they have to do.
Stage 3: Independent
Achieving full independence.
Once a resident has been in employment for eight weeks, they can move into stage three – independent accommodation. This consists of 106 one-bedroom flats and apartments available at a cost that is 20% cheaper than other private rentals in the area.
Residents of stage three are able to live independently and as such support is focused on providing a safety net and preparing our young people to move on from our campus to begin the next chapter in their lives. Examples of support given in stage three include guidance on savings and budgeting for life beyond the campus, finding move-on accommodation and career sustainability support.
